"Sock Social under the auspices of the Ladies' Aid Society of the M.E. Church, Bridgeport, Ill..." (caption title)

...Cake and Cream served in "The White Tent" on Christian Church lot, on Thursday Night, May 2, 1907.

Invitation to a Ladies’ Aid Society event on printed card, 2.75 x 4.75 inches, stitched with pink thread to a small oilcloth bootie of roughly the same size. A Very Good examplye with creasing and soil to card; red thread for cinching the donation still bright and intact.

“Sock Socials” were novelty fundraising events often held by ladies’ aid societies in the early 20th century (and not to be confused with gatherings for WWI sock knitting relief efforts). The scheme is explained, in rhyme, on the back--the sock should contain a donation equal to double the recipient's shoe size and brought to the party, where they would be added to a larger sock, the centerpiece of the event.  The distribution of "sock social" references in archived newspapers suggests they peaked around 1900-1910 in Pennsylvania and the Midwest. The earliest reference we found came from the Decatur, Illinois Daily Republican on August 9, 1895--unlikely the first such party, but a rough starting date for context.

This little sock we send to you
     Is not for you to wear,
Please multiply your size by two
     And place therein with care,
In pennies or in cents,
     Just twice the number you wear
(We hope it is immense);
     So if you wear a number ten,
You owe us twenty-see?
     Which dropped into the little sock
Will fill our hearts with glee.
     'Tis all we ask; it isn't much,
And hardly any trouble,
     But if you only have one foot,
We'll surely charge you double.
     If you have a friend quite dear
You'd like to bring with you,
     Or if you know one who'll come,
We'll gladly give you two.
     And if you cannot come yourself,
'Twill please us much, indeed
     If you will send a well-flled sock;
Tis' money that we need.
     Don't forget the place and date—
We'll answer when you knock.
     And welcome you with open arms
Please don't forget your sock.