1890 Antique BPOE Elks Franklin Lodge No 110 PA Chartered Silk Ribbon Badge
Description
Up for sale is a museum-quality, true Victorian-era piece of American fraternal history. This original woven silk ribbon member badge commemorates the very beginning of the B.P.O.E. (Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks) "Franklin Lodge No. 110" out of Franklin, Pennsylvania.
Up for sale is a museum-quality, true Victorian-era piece of American fraternal history. This original woven silk ribbon member badge commemorates the very beginning of the B.P.O.E. (Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks) "Franklin Lodge No. 110" out of Franklin, Pennsylvania.
The bottom tip features a clear stamp commemorating the lodge's official institution date: April 8, 1890. Historical records confirm that Franklin Lodge No. 110 was founded on this exact night by traveling members of New Castle Lodge No. 69, appointing Thomas McGough as its historic first Exalted Ruler.
The front face of the silk features red typography reading "Franklin Lodge No. 110" stacked above the bold "B.P.O.E." organization letters. The ribbon measures roughly 6.75 inches long by 2.25 inches wide.
Condition Note: This 130+ year-old silk ribbon is a remarkable regional survivor. It shows deep, honest age patina, prominent browning/spotting throughout, minor color bleeding from the old ink stamps, and expected fraying along the top edge where it originally connected to a metal pin hanger. Sold strictly as-found to preserve its true historic state. Incredible centerpiece item for serious collectors of Venango County history, 19th-century secret societies, or early American Elks Club memorabilia.