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Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Men's Jacket, Sons of the Forest
1940-2010
Mr. Leggs; Fraternal Supplies, Inc., embroiderer and retailer
USA: Ohio, New London (embroidery)
Cotton, polyester, metal, plastic
collar to hem: 25"long
Museum Purchase
2019.013.8

Tan men's jacket has tab collar with two tan plastic buttons. Metal zipper front. Machine-embroidered on PR chest is four-columned temple with round Elks patch reading, clockwise from top, "11121 / OEW / OF / IBP", elk image at center, and "CERVUS ALCES" below; on PL chest, elk standing in forst with moon and stars above. Two slit pockets. On back, machine-embroidered image of man with brown skin and purple fez with elks symbol and "OBP / OF / OEW" around; underneath, in purple block letters, "SONS OF THE FOREST.". Tag inside collar reads "Mr. LEGGS / 'Authentics' / PERMANENT PRESS". Paper tag attached to zipper is blue and has product information in yellow, white, and red print.


Founded in 1897, the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World (IBPOE of W), is an African American fraternal order that offered leadership training, professional networking opportunities, and social fellowship to members. Modeled on the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), the IBPOE of W operated in the same principles of charity, justice, brotherly love, and fidelity. In addition, founders Arthur James Riggs (1855-1936) and Benjamin Franklin Howard (1860-1918), both members of other fraternal organizations, established the IBPOE of W to advocate for “the expression of ideals, services and leadership in the black struggle for freedom and opportunity.” To show the pride in their association with the IBPOE of W, some members wore street clothes decorated with symbols of their fraternity. Fraternal Supplies, Inc. in New London, Ohio, which operated until 2011, embroidered the jacket pictured here with images and names related to the IBPOE of W. For further information, see blog post, December 3, 2020, https://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2020/12/the-improved-benevolent-and-protective-order-of-the-elks-of-the-world.html



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