Woman Suffrage Wristwatch with Iconic New York Women's Political Union Design Featuring Clarion Blower

Women SUFFRAGE, Watch

Memorabilia

Vintage Original Woman Suffrage Wrist Watch from the New York Women's Political Union. New York, circa. 1914. The face of the watch features the iconic Clarion suffragette blowing a trumpet on the castle ramparts while holding a flag emblazoned with eleven stars, representing the states which allowed women to vote, with "Votes for Women" in purple around the face and "Women's Political Union" emblazoned on a banner next to the trumpeter. The banner's 11 stars on it suggests that it was made in 1914, just after Montana joined the list of suffrage states. Harriot Stanton Blatch, the daughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, adopted the design created by British suffragette Caroline Watts. Blatch's New York-based "Women's Political Union" (WPU) "was based largely on Emmeline Pankhurst's WSPU, modifying not only its name in her own organization, but borrowing its official colors of purple, green, and white [...] yet she saw in the iconography of Pankhurst's rival organization, the NUWSS, a figure that she had to adopt, that of Watt's Bugler Girl [...] Watt's image was modified [...] and the revamped design [appeared on buttons,stationary, and posters]" (Kenneth Florey, Women's Suffrage Memorabilia, pg. 76). This small, well-loved suffrage timepiece captures one popular way that women could incorporate their views on voting right into their everyday dress. Scarce and in Good condition, but rubbing to chrome detail around face. Backside has minor wear, and movement may need repairs to keep time. The watch case is about 1" diameter. This Clarion Women's Political Union Design with "Votes for Women" in purple is very rare in original suffrage watch format and the first we have found.

Item #17595

Price: $2,850.00