Helping Hand Social Banner from Enon Baptist Church, Baltimore, ca. 1915–1925
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Ian Brabner, Rare Americana (ABAA), Wilmington, DE, U.S.A.Ian Brabner, Rare Americana (ABAA)
AbeBooks seller since October 27, 1997
Condition: Used
£ 1,930.89
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
[Baltimore, ca. 1915–1925]. Hand-painted banner, textile ground (likely silk or mercerized cotton), measuring, overall, 30 × 18¾ inches, mounted on original turned wood rod (23 inches) with cord hanger. Produced from a stock "blank" by "Torsch & Franz Badge Co. Baltimore, MD." (their label affixed to verso), who supplied pre-made banners and regalia for churches, fraternal lodges, or civic groups. The central panel features gilt and blue painted lettering, a handshake device, and the inscription: "Helping Hand Social / Enon Baptist Church." Surrounding the main field is a 1-inch applied gold lace border, with matching metallic fringe (approx. 2½ inches) along the lower edge. Paint with age-typical craquelure, minor soiling and faint waviness to cloth, but colors remain strong; structurally sound and complete, with no major losses. A crisp example. In the dynamic community landscape of early 20th-century Baltimore, African American churches functioned not only as spiritual centers but also as essential hubs for mutual aid, civic engagement, and social progress. Hand-painted for a Helping Hand "social" at Enon Baptist Church, this banner is an exceptional artifact of Black community-building during a period of rapid urbanization in the city. In this context, a "social" was a church-sponsored gathering that combined fundraising, fellowship, and local support. Founded ca. 1899, Enon Baptist Church was and still is among Baltimore’s leading Black congregations. It served as a locus for religious worship, social events, and organized benevolence at a time when segregation limited African American access to public services and spaces. "Helping Hand" societies and auxiliaries such as the one here represented were a hallmark of early 20th-century Black congregational life. They fostered community solidarity and provided structured support for the sick, bereaved, or economically disadvantaged. (For a related account of a sister Helping Hand Club, see History of the Helping Hand Club of the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church published in 1948 by Carter G. Woodson.) This large banner, with gold-painted lettering shaded in blue for depth, a central handshake symbol, and gold lace trim, shows the pride and care of its makers, likely members of the congregation. Its design emphasizes visibility: the arched "Helping Hand" at the top draws attention, the bold "Social Enon" dominates the center, and "Baptist Church" secures the base. The banner’s size and striking look would have made it a focal point inside the church and a recognizable emblem if carried to events held elsewhere. The survival of such early 20th-century textile art is rare, and this piece is in excellent condition: a striking example of African American religious, social, and visual culture in Black Baltimore during that era. See "Flier for "Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom" meeting at Enon Baptist Church" via National Museum of African American History and Culture. The church’s activities are frequently documented in Baltimore’s The Afro-American, (ex., "Enon’s Social Group Gives Reception" on April 02, 1927, p. 17, col. 2.…
Seller Inventory # 3734999
Bibliographic details
- Title
- Helping Hand Social Banner from Enon Baptist Church, Baltimore, ca. 1915–1925
- Author
- [Enon Baptist Church of Baltimore]
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Seller catalogs
- African-American History, Baltimore, Social Reform, Textiles
Ian Brabner, Rare Americana (ABAA)
Wilmington, DE, U.S.A.
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 1 to 4 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 0.00 | £ 0.00 |
Payment methods
Store description
Founded in 1995, Ian Brabner, Rare Americana specializes in rare books and manuscripts charting the course of American history. We emphasize 18th- and 19th-century subjects, especially African American history, Women's History, Colonial American History, and 18th and 19th Century Americana. Our inventory includes rare books, pamphlets, letters, diaries, manuscripts, archives, original art, graphics, and photographs. We actively build important collections for private and institutional clients in the United States and abroad. Visit RareAmericana.com…
Specialty
African American History, Women's History, Colonial American History, 18th and 19th Century AmericanaAssociation member
Seller's business information
Ian Brabner, Rare Americana, LLC
PO Box 4900
Wilmington, DE U.S.A. 19808
Terms of sale
We accept credit cards through ABE and will invoice institutions, libraries, and established customers upon request. Items may be returned within 30 days from receipt of delivery.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Ian Brabner, Rare Americana (ABAA), Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A., +1 (302) 998-2886, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
All orders include free tracking and delivery confirmation. All items wrapped and shipped in new boxes and well-padded and protected. For heavy or over-sized items, we may contact you to let you know if extra shipping or other shipping methods are required.