Australian ladies' fair late-19th-century
Anna Quincy Waterston, when a young Bostonian, kept a diary for a year or so in the form of a letter to her traveling sister. She recorded an early ladies' fundraising fair in the spring of 1833.
Historic Newton Collection
Anna Cabot Lowell Quincy Waterston (1812-1899)
With all those Boston "Brahmin" names you know
she was wealthy and from a "good" family.
A later fair
The template for such events was set by the 1830s, a hall decorated with greenery (dangerous---could and did catch fire as it dried out) tables staffed by young women to persuade male visitors to buy. Handmade and commercial gifts and small luxuries for sale. Usually held for winter gift giving holidays.Illustration of a small quilt attracting a
small customer. by William Thackeray for his novel
of the 1840s Vanity Fair.
Being in their early twenties the Quincy sisters were more interested in the young men attending than in any needlework being sold at the tables. Anna does not mention embroidery, needle cases or patchwork.
Sally Foster Otis (1770-1838)
Sally Foster Otis was the fair's organizer. Wife of former Senator Harrison Gray Otis, also a recent Boston mayor, Sally Otis is recalled as a leader in Boston's elite set.
Samuel Gridley Howe (1801-1876)
Samuel Gridley Howe, innovative educator of the visually impaired, was on the school's fundraising team.Drama ensued when Howe's home was robbed of some Fair funds.
Above, Annette Shiell in her study of Australia's fairs discussed English origins in 1813.
Beverly Gordon in her comprehensive study of American fairs cites an 1827 fair for orphans of the Greek wars for independence in Baltimore as the earliest U.S. event.
An 1856 Massachusetts Universalist fair with the usual display of handmade goods for sale
"A large collection of articles will be offered for sale, including bonnets, comforters, quilts, stockings, shirts, children's aprons and dresses, and many other useful articles.
Further Reading:
Bazaars & Fair Ladies: History of the American Fundraising Fair by Beverly Gordon
Fundraising, Flirtation and Fancywork: Charity Bazaars in Nineteenth Century Australia by Annette Shiell
See Sally Otis's grave here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66093918/sally-otis
Fundraising, Flirtation and Fancywork: Charity Bazaars in Nineteenth Century Australia by Annette Shiell
See Sally Otis's grave here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66093918/sally-otis
I read Gordon's book some years ago--excellent, eye-opening history for me. Thanks for your addition to that.
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