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Woman's Suffrage: Substantial Archive of Original Suffrage-Era Ephemera from the Estate of Maria Saunders McMahon A s...
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Consign your material to be auctioned alongside these items on Friday, April 24, 2026 in Dallas, TX. Consignment Deadline for this auction is Friday, February 6, 2026.
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Description
Woman's Suffrage: Substantial Archive of Original Suffrage-Era Ephemera from the Estate of Maria Saunders McMahon A significant and wide-ranging archive of original paper ephemera documenting the American woman suffrage movement, from the estate of Maria Saunders McMahon, a prominent activist and lecturer active from the mid-1910s through 1920.The collection includes photographs, personal correspondence addressed to Mrs. McMahon on the letterheads of various suffrage organizations, printed handouts, flyers, newspaper clippings, and related materials—collectively providing a vivid, first-hand record of the campaign for women's enfranchisement.
Among the highlights is a typewritten letter to McMahon from the Equal Suffrage Association of North Carolina, dated September 1, 1920, which reads in part:
"What do you think of this morning's news from Tennessee? Just what I thought would happen. However, it can't do any harm now, or else Mrs. Catt would have stayed on in Nashville to prevent it, and wouldn't have been so confident in her expressions that all was complete."
This passage refers to the Tennessee Senate's refusal that day to accept the anti-suffrage attempt to rescind the state's ratification of the 19th Amendment—a maneuver rendered moot since the U.S. Secretary of State had already proclaimed the amendment's adoption on August 26. Tennessee's ratification on August 18, 1920, had provided the decisive 36th state approval required to secure women's right to vote.
In total, the archive contains several dozen individual items, offering an exceptional and detailed snapshot of the organizational efforts, personal connections, and political energy that culminated in the passage of the 19th Amendment. The accompanying photo shows only a portion of the material included in this extensive group lot.
Condition: Expected age and wear from handling but generally fine condition overall.
Auction Info
2026 April 24 - 25 Americana & Political Signature® Auction #6327 (go to Auction Home page)
Bidding Begins Approx.
March
24th
Tuesday
Auction Dates
April
24th-25th
Friday-Saturday
Proxy Bidding Begins Approx.
92 Days
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: N/A
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 24
Auction Type
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Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
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