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Original vintage membership card for the 2nd Ward Regular Democratic Organization, 330 East 35th Street, Chicago, bearing the handwritten signature “Wm. L. Dawson” above the printed title “Ward Committeeman.”
William L. Dawson served as Democratic committeeman for Chicago\'s powerful Second Ward beginning in 1939 and represented Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1943 until his death in 1970. Dawson became one of the most influential African-American political figures of his era and the first Black American to chair a standing committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The membership card retains its original Democratic donkey graphic. The member name, captain and precinct fields were never filled in, making this an unusual unused organizational card bearing Dawson\'s signature.
Measures approximately 4 inches wide.
An uncommon piece of original Chicago political ephemera with particular interest to collectors of William L. Dawson, African-American history, Chicago political history, Democratic Party memorabilia and congressional autographs.
