Catholic Donor Recognition Broadside - Early 20th Century Lithograph
Estimated value
$150 - $450Rarity
Scarce(6/10)Category
Historical RelicsEra
circa 1890-1920Origin
🇺🇸 United StatesAuthenticity
CATHOLIC DONOR RECOGNITION BROADSIDE - EARLY 20TH CENTURY LITHOGRAPH: IDENTIFICATION
A formal donor recognition document, likely a lithographic print on paper, featuring a central illustration of the Virgin Mary (Assumption or Immaculate Conception) in a Gothic-arched lunette. The layout is organized into three primary columns titled 'DONOR' listing numerous individuals and Catholic organizations, such as the Good Shepherd Convent and the Charity Club. The typography utilizes a mix of blackletter Gothic and serif fonts, characteristic of ecclesiastical printing from the late 19th to early 20th century. The piece is framed and appears to be a commemorative record of contributions for a specific parish, school, or charitable foundation.
Compare with other relics in the archive: Boy Scouts of America Fleur-de-lis Whistle, Egyptian Ushabti (Shabti) Figurine - Late Period (c. 664–332 BC), Mid-19th Century Plantation Slave Ledger Page.
CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS
Where This Object Echoes
The 'Liber Vitae' or Book of Life tradition of recording benefactors' names for perpetual prayer.
Ritual & Ceremonial Use
- •Parochial fundraising and dedication ceremonies for new church altars or windows.
Meaning Through Time
A public testament of faith and community standing through financial charity.
A genealogical resource and historical artifact of regional immigration patterns.
PERIOD & PROVENANCE
COLLECTOR NOTES
The names Goessling and Chouteau on this list link it to the historic 'First Families' of St. Louis, dating back to the city's founding in 1764.
Similar commemorative lithographs were often mass-produced by firms like Benziger Brothers, who specialized in Catholic 'church goods' between 1853 and 1960.
SCARCITY
Genuinely harder to find. Perhaps only dozens come to market annually. Collectors actively watch for these pieces.
Rarity 6/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 3 relics items at rarity 6 or higher.
Typical Characteristics
- Dozens per year at market
- Documented provenance valued
- Active collector pursuit
Confidence Factors
- Typography and layout are perfectly consistent with Catholic institutional printing of the 1900s.
- Visible aging (foxing and staining) shows natural progression for non-archival paper stored in a frame.
HISTORIAN'S ASSESSMENT
Archaeological Antiquities Specialist
The identification of the object type is certain based on visual layout, though exact parish location is inferred from the notable surnames visible.
KEY EVIDENCE
- 1Specific surname patterns (Chouteau, Delaney, Goessling) suggest a Midwestern US Catholic context.
- 2Gothic revival aesthetics in the central lunette and borders.
- 3Presence of religious orders like 'Good Shepherd Convent' as institutional donors.
- 4Standardized lithographic printing techniques visible in the border ornamentation.
UNCERTAINTIES
- •Significant moisture damage along the lower decorative border may indicate potential mold or rot within the frame.
- •Low image resolution obscures specific parish signatures or location stamps.
WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY
- →Examine the verso (back) of the frame for any handwritten notes or specialized framer's labels from St. Louis or Chicago.
- →Check for a small printer's mark (slug) in the bottom margin, such as 'Benziger Bros' or 'H.M. Litho Co.'
- →Inspect under UV light to determine the extent of the damp-staining and check for previous restorative attempts.
CONDITION & GRADE
Grading breakdown
Structural integrity is maintained, but aesthetic value is compromised by visible water damage at the bottom and overall paper toning.
Condition
Significant damp-staining and 'foxing' (brown spots from iron oxidation in paper) are evident, particularly affecting the lower marginalia and central columns. The framing appears to be mid-20th century, which may not be acid-free, contributing to the paper's discoloration.
HISTORICAL ARTIFACT VALUATION
Updated: May 11, 2026
Who buys this
Genealogists researching the specific families listed or collectors of Catholic parochial history and regional ephemera.
What increases value
- •Identification of the specific church or cathedral it originated from
- •Presence of historically significant regional surnames (e.g., Chouteau)
- •Aesthetic appeal of the Gothic lithography
What lowers value
- •Extensive moisture damage at the bottom margin
- •Lack of a specific church name in the current visible area
What makes top-tier examples
- •Pristine condition with no foxing or water stains
- •Original 19th-century carved ecclesiastical frame
- •Direct link to a well-known historic cathedral
Grade & condition
Paper acidity, foxing intensity, moisture damage, and clarity of the printed names.
Rarity & demand
For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.
SIMILAR CURIOSITIES
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