Four-Leaf Clover.
From the William B. Umstead World War I Collection
North Carolina Collection Gallery, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill |
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Title: |
Four-Leaf Clover. |
Date: |
1917. |
Call Number: |
CK.621.190 North Carolina Collection Gallery, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill |
Physical Description: |
FOUR-LEAF CLOVER, good-luck token, genuine botanical specimen fixed and pressed to paper under strips of cellophane tape, "BEST OF LUCK" stamped in black ink; 3.0" (7.6 cm) square; tape very yellowed. |
Topics: |
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Subjects: |
Military paraphernalia -- United States -- History -- 20th century. Soldiers -- North Carolina. Umstead, William Bradley, 1895-1954. United States. Army -- Equipment -- Catalogs. United States. Army -- Uniforms -- Catalogs. United States. Army. Machine Gun Battalion, 317th. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. North Carolina Collection -- Catalogs. World War, 1914-1918 -- Equipment and supplies -- Catalogs. World War, 1914-1918 -- Equipment and supplies -- History. World War, 1914-1918 -- North Carolina. |
Notes: |
Soldiers throughout history have attempted to safeguard themselves with a variety of tokens, charms, and religious symbols. Umstead was no exception. Found among his World War I keepsakes was this four-leaf clover. Presumably, the young Tar Heel lieutenant carried it with him during his military service. Cellophane was still a relatively new product at the start of World War I. The invention of the thin, flexible film is attributed to a Swiss engineer, who by 1912 was marketing it for a number of uses. Among its first military applications was use in early gas masks. |
Funding from the State Library of North Carolina supported the electronic publication of this title.
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