Owner Comments:
MEMORABILIA APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Authentic/genuine general program from the 1906 "Pike Centennial Celebration: Commemorative of the Southwest Expedition" in Colorado Springs, CO — Associated with the commemorative so-called dollars recognizing the celebration (HK335-339: See historical description: medals, below)
*Excellent aged condition with no markings, stains, tears or creases; Exhibits normal age discoloration and light handling — An extremely scarce issue that was challenging to obtain.*
MEMORABILIA BACKGROUND:
A detailed program of all the events that took place for the 1906 "Pike Centennial Celebration" which commemorated the Southwest Expedition (1806-1807) under command of Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike. Program displays events from September 23rd to September 29th, 1906. Events that took place are as follows and in chronological order: September 23rd: 'Special Commemorative Service' - September 24th: 'Military Day' - September 25th: 'Pioneer Day' - September 26th: 'Historical Day' - September 27th: 'Pike Day' - September 28th: 'Colorado Day' - September 29th: 'Centennial Day'.
RARITY: Likely rare to very rare, especially in such exceptional condition. I have yet to encounter another genuine example.
MEMORABILIA DESCRIPTION:
No publication information available. "1806-1906 Pike Centennial Celebration: Commemorative of the Southwest Expedition (1806-1807) under Command of Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike - Colorado Springs, Colorado - September twenty-third to twenty-ninth 1906 - General Programme." Measures 6-1/4" x 9" and printed on heavy manila paper. 1906. Print, 4 Pages.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND/SO-CALLED DOLLAR AFFILIATION:
Purpose: "To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Pike's Peak ('sighted' Nov. 15, 1806) by Lt. Zebulon Montgomery Pike during his Southwest Expedition, 1806-07, following Louisiana Purchase."
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Organization: "Pike Monument Association formed December 1896; planned to erect statue of Pike 'of heroic size and in enduring bronze' and 'to...forever maintain...monument and historical data.' This Celebration 10 years later was staged by Association; financed by public contributions and sale of medals; bronze statue never did materialize. Organization disappeared shortly thereafter."
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Site, Dates: "Colorado Springs, Colorado; Sept. 23 to 29, 1906."
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Comment: "Explorations of Lt. Pike (1779-1813) are basic United States history. Steadily promoted in U.S. Army, he was Adjutant and Inspector General when killed in action in War of 1812 during victorious assault on York (now Toronto), Canada, April 27, 1813.
Celebration opened Sunday, city-wide church services emphasizing 'high moral character, religious life and patriotic services of Gen. Pike.' Weekday program included parades, polo matches, band concerts, golf tournament, rodeo; highlighted by address by U.S. Vice President Chas. W. Fairbanks and unveilings of bronze tablet on Pike's Peak summit and of granite boulder or shaft in Antlers Park, Colorado Springs. Latter bears 4 plaques reciting discovery of Peak, facts of Pike's life and excerpts from his diary."
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Medals: "Official Medals authorized by 59th Congress; designed by C. E. Barber; struck at Philadelphia Mint. Mint records reveal issue limited to 250 Silver proof, 250 Gold-plate, 4,200 gray-oxidized Silver and 6,250 Bronze; sold through local banks and Chamber of Commerce; Bronze for 50 cents, Silver for $1; 65% of all were looped. Some authorities insist these quantities were ones 'ordered,' that issue actually was smaller. In any event, of total struck, large portion was delivered by Mint apparently too late for sale; they were stored and forgotten for 49 years.
In 1955 these 4,000 pieces were found in basement of old First National Bank Building during demolition. Historical Society of Pike's Peak Region, Inc. directed their sale to help finance 1956 Celebration (no new or additional medals struck for latter event). Again, most were mounted but loops were 'expertly removed to make...acceptable to Collectors' and many do defy detection."
Credited Source: So-Called Dollars by Harold E. Hibler and Charles V. Kappen