Sepia-tone photo of decoration on union parade wagon by United Decorating Co., Hoboken, n.d., ca.1907-1915.
Entry/Object ID
2001.231.0105
Description
Sepia-tone photo of decoration on an International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 449, wagon for a parade, Hoboken, no date, circa 1907-1915. Color laser print, 8-1/2" x 11" sheet. Photographer is not indicated. Reverse is blank. Reference print on file.
Park Hotel at Fourth and Hudson Streets is in background. The horse-drawn wagon is on Fourth St. between Hudson and Washington Streets and just east of Court Street.
Undocumented on the image is that this decoration was by United Decorating which was at 421 Washington St., Hoboken; the original photo was among family business photos used for research circa 1996-1997. A back entrance to the shop would have been just around the corner on Court St. and would have given them easy access to their work materials.
The side of the wagon has "IBT" and "449'" as well as "E A Bracket." The union was formed in 1903 (at a convention in Niagara Falls, N.Y.) Whether 449 was a Hoboken local has not been established, but Local 449 as of 2010 was in Buffalo, N.Y. Three of the five men including the driver or teamster have IBT 449 on their shirts. Bracket is probably the man in the full suit and the president of the local.
The event that this union team was participating in is not known; perhaps the Hudson-Fulton Celebration in 1909 or some other parade. It is earlier than 1916 as that is when the union adopted the horse symbol for the union. Patriotic decor such as the shield and bunting is seen. While not a true float, it may have been part of a larger marching unit which is not assembled here.
Cobblestone street.
Acquisition
Accession
2001.231
Source or Donor
Kirchgessner, George & Dolores, United Decorating Co.
Acquisition Method
Donation
Credit Line
Gift of George & Dolores Kirchgessner; United Decorating Company
Made/Created
Artist
n/a
Date made
1907 - 1915
Place
Location
Hoboken
Notes
Date: 1907-1915
Dimensions
Height
8 in
Width
10 in
Condition
Overall Condition
Good
General Notes
Note
Display Value: Fair
Original or Copy: Original
Status: OK
Status By: dw
Status Date: 2010-11-05
