{"product_id":"sock-social-under-the-auspices-of-the-ladies-aid-society-of-the-m-e-church-bridgeport-ill-1907-cake-and-cream-served-in-the-white-tent-on-christian-church-lot-on-thursday-night-may-2-1907-printed-invitation-to-a-ladies-aid-society","title":"\"Sock Social under the auspices of the Ladies' Aid Society of the M.E. Church, Bridgeport, Ill...\" (caption title)","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e...Cake and Cream served in \"The White Tent\" on Christian Church lot, on Thursday Night, May 2, 1907.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInvitation 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“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.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eThe 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 \u003cem\u003eDaily Republican\u003c\/em\u003e on August 9, 1895--unlikely the first such party, but a rough starting date for context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis little sock we send to you \u003cbr\u003e     Is not for you to wear,\u003cbr\u003ePlease multiply your size by two\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e     And place therein with care,\u003cbr\u003eIn pennies or in cents,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e     Just twice the number you wear\u003cbr\u003e(We hope it is immense);\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e     So if you wear a number ten,\u003cbr\u003eYou owe us twenty-see?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e     Which dropped into the little sock\u003cbr\u003eWill fill our hearts with glee.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e     'Tis all we ask; it isn't much,\u003cbr\u003eAnd hardly any trouble,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e     But if you only have one foot, \u003cbr\u003eWe'll surely charge you double.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e     If you have a friend quite dear\u003cbr\u003eYou'd like to bring with you, \u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e     Or if you know one who'll come,\u003cbr\u003eWe'll gladly give you two.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e     And if you cannot come yourself,\u003cbr\u003e'Twill please us much, indeed\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e     If you will send a well-flled sock;\u003cbr\u003eTis' money that we need.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e     Don't forget the place and date—\u003cbr\u003eWe'll answer when you knock.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e     And welcome you with open arms\u003cbr\u003ePlease don't forget your sock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"[ephemera, party invitations]","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46395250835606,"sku":"Q2237","price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0315\/9778\/9229\/files\/haec_city-81_d62c297d-e273-454a-bc90-ee455b9cd3c7.jpg?v=1781475161","url":"https:\/\/alsobooksbooks.com\/products\/sock-social-under-the-auspices-of-the-ladies-aid-society-of-the-m-e-church-bridgeport-ill-1907-cake-and-cream-served-in-the-white-tent-on-christian-church-lot-on-thursday-night-may-2-1907-printed-invitation-to-a-ladies-aid-society","provider":"Haec City \/ Also Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}