BOY SCOUTS BSA EPHEMERA LOT 1920s-1960s

Item #443

The lot contains various ephemera related to the Boy Scouts of America
Ephemera include a wooden carving of the Boy Scouts heraldry; on the back of the carving is written: “Presented to my Scout Master Charles T. Grace on March 8 - 1935. Clement Martin.” There is also a black ribbon with gold writing which reads: “Eleventh Annual Catholic Scout Retreat & Camporee, Sep. 25-26, 1965, Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation Woronoco, Mass. Dedicated to the late & beloved Monsignor Bernard L. Doheny, Diocesan, Scout Chaplain, born Sept. 22, 1909, died Feb. 22, 1965.”
In an envelope addressed to Francis M. Grinley from the Veterans Administration there are several more items, including 6 official Boy Scouts postcards and photo postcards measuring around 3.5 x 5.5” with one of the postcards addressed from a Boy Scout to himself. There are also Boy Scouts club cards and certificates, with two held in small open-ended sleeves. The certificates range in date from 1925 to 1942. The certificates include the Scout oath and law, troop information, and age, weight, and height for the specific individual Scout. Other items include a program for Boy Scout 1915 Field Day in Grandberry Park in Houston, Texas, The Boy Scout Magic Drawing Book, and a card urging Boy Scouts to vote in the 1956 election.

The rest of the items in the lot are related to Alvin J. Zink, Jr.’s application to participate in the Martin Johnson Expedition of 1928. Includes Zink’s filled out application, his handwritten 2-page essay entitled “Why I Would Like to go to Africa”, a medical examination proving that he is physically capable of the expedition, and several letters recommending Zink for consideration to the Boy Scouts of America. One of these letters is from Zink’s teacher, one is from his Scoutmaster which includes his “Individual Scout Record'' with his merit badges and equipment he has experience with, and letters to and from Harvey H. Bacon, the Scout Executive. The letters to Bacon discuss the process used for consideration of applicants and a list of the three Boy Scouts that were chosen. Unfortunately, Zink was not chosen to participate in the Martin Johnson Expedition. However, in Bacon’s letter to Zink about this, he urges the young man to keep the correspondence and documents related to his application. There is also a plastic sleeve and an envelope addressed to Scout Alvin Zink.

The letter reads as follows:
Letter from Harvey H. Bacon to Scout Alvin J. Zink, Jr. (June 5, 1928)
Dear Scout Alvin:
Enclosed you will find a letter with reference to your application for the Martin-Johnson Expedition. Undoubtedly you have already read of the Scouts who have been chosen by the Commission who very carefully went over all the applications.
It was indeed personally gratifying to me to have had you make an application for this trip, showing that we have in our Council, Scouts who are willing to try and to do their part in qualifying. As you will note, all of these scouts who were chosen were Eagle Scouts and without a doubt, this was one of the first considerations that they made of the applicant. Even though you were not chosen as one of the many hundreds whose applications were viewed to take this trip, you should feel proud in the fact that these men have given your application careful consideration.
I am enclosing to you all of your data and correspondence in connection with your application that you may keep these for your own future reference and I would suggest that you by no means destroy any part of them.
Kindly accept from me, in behalf of the North Essex Council, our gratifications for your attempt. Many aviators with great experience have endeavored to cross the high seas by aeroplane. While they do not accomplish their feat, they are not losers. You have by your application been recorded at National Headquarters as one who is willing to try.
Wishing you success in Scouting, I remain
Very truly yours,
Harvey H. Bacon
Scout Executive”.

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