In stock · No. group 80
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RARE 1995 LIONS CLUB LADIES' NIGHT CHICKEN BBQ MEETING NOTICE - VINTAGE ORGANIZATIONAL EPHEMERA - SOCIAL HISTORY DOCUMENT
DESCRIPTIONThis fascinating piece of organizational ephemera is a completed Lions Club meeting notice from June 27 1995 announcing a special Ladies' Night Chicken BBQ event. Featuring the iconic Lions Club logo with dual lion profiles framing the distinctive 'L' emblem this card provides a genuine snapshot of community service organization activities in mid-1990s America.
The pre-printed card includes detailed handwritten entries specifying a 6:30 PM gathering at the Chapel Grove Pavilion with 'Ladies' Night' checked among the meeting options. Additional notations include an RSVP phone number secretary's signature and various personal notes that make this an authentic piece of organizational history.
What makes this card particularly special is that it represents the type of everyday ephemera that was typically discarded after serving its immediate purpose.
It offers a tangible connection to the social networking and community service activities that were the backbone of American civic life before the digital age transformed how we communicate and organize.HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCEFounded in 1917 Lions Clubs International is one of the world's largest service club organizations known for their community service particularly in the areas of vision and health. This meeting notice captures a moment in the organization's history during the pre-internet era when paper notifications were still the primary means of communicating with members.
The mid-1990s represented the twilight of traditional paper-based organizational communication before email and digital messaging would rapidly transform how clubs and civic organizations operated. This card stands as a testament to these once-ubiquitous practices that have largely disappeared in the 21st century.
Ladies' Night events were significant social gatherings in service club culture representing both gender dynamics of the era and the important role of social bonding in maintaining organizational cohesion. The chicken barbecue mentioned on the card reflects traditional American community gathering practices that continue to hold cultural significance.
The handwritten notes including 'Parker Hardware' and other personal notations provide glimpses into the local business connections and informal networks that sustained community organizations. These authentic touches transform a simple meeting notice into a rich historical document of small-town American life.
CONDITIONThis card is in fair to good used condition showing the expected signs of handling and age for a piece of ephemera from 1995. The printed text remains clear and legible throughout with the Lions Club logo and meeting notice format well-preserved.
There are several handwritten notations throughout including the meeting details RSVP number and personal notes - all valuable historical elements that document how the card was actually used. Some smudging of handwriting is present but does not detract from legibility.
Minor edge and corner wear is visible along with light creasing and handling marks consistent with a card that was actively used rather than simply preserved. A slight yellowing/toning of the paper reflects its 25+ year age and adds to its authentic vintage character.
There is a red mark or possible staining near the 'RSVP' notation and some additional signs of handling but no major tears folds or damage that would significantly impact its collectibility or display value.
These minor imperfections are consistent with the card's actual use and reinforce its authenticity as a genuine piece of organizational history.AGE/ERAThis meeting notice dates specifically to Wednesday June 27 1995 as clearly indicated by the circled date on the card and confirmed by the purple '1995' marking. This places it squarely in the mid-1990s an interesting transitional period in American social and technological history.
The mid-1990s represented the final years before widespread internet adoption would transform communication practices. Organizations like the Lions Club were still operating much as they had for decades with paper notifications in-person meetings and community-centered events forming the backbone of their activities.
Stylistically the card's design elements - including typography layout and the Lions Club logo treatment - are consistent with 1990s organizational materials. The phone number format (without area code parentheses) reflects typical pre-2000s telephone notation.
At over 25 years old this card has now crossed the threshold into what many collectors consider 'vintage' territory representing an era of American community life that is receding into history as digital communication continues to transform how organizations function.
RARITYWhile Lions Club materials themselves are not particularly rare completed meeting notices with specific event details are surprisingly scarce in the collector market. Unlike postcards or photographs that were often deliberately preserved in albums organizational ephemera was typically discarded once it served its immediate purpose.
The survival of this card for over a quarter-century is somewhat remarkable considering its utilitarian nature. Most similar meeting notices were simply thrown away after the event occurred making the preservation of this particular example unusual.
With each passing year these authentic artifacts of pre-digital organizational communication become increasingly difficult to find. As the generations who participated in community service clubs like the Lions begin to downsize or pass on much of this everyday ephemera disappears forever from the historical record.
This specific example with its detailed handwritten notes about a Ladies' Night BBQ provides historical context that makes it more desirable than blank or generic organizational materials. The personal touches and specific event details elevate it from mere paper to a genuine historical document.
COLLECTOR'S NOTEThere is something profoundly satisfying about holding an authentic piece of organizational history that connects us to community traditions and civic engagement of the recent past. Unlike mass-produced postcards or photographs this meeting notice was a functional object that played a direct role in bringing people together for a specific community event.
For collectors of organizational ephemera social history or specifically Lions Club memorabilia this card offers exceptional documentary value. It captures not just the format of communication but the specific details of an event that brought community members together in a tradition of service and social bonding.
In our increasingly digital world these tangible connections to how communities organized and communicated in the pre-internet era become ever more evocative and meaningful. The handwritten notes personal touches and physical marks of handling cannot be replicated in digital form.
Whether displayed in a collection focused on organizational history 1990s cultural artifacts or community service organizations this card offers a window into American civic life during a period of transition. It stands ready to become a conversation piece in your collection - a testament to how Americans have gathered celebrated and served their communities.
SHIPPING NOTEBuy multiple postcards and pay only ONE low shipping cost! I'm happy to combine shipping on any number of postcards and ephemera items to save you money.
This vintage organizational card will be carefully packaged in an archival sleeve between rigid cardboard to ensure it arrives safely and in the same condition shown in the photos. I understand the importance of protecting these historical items and take great care in packaging.
DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A PIECE OF AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY!As our connections to pre-digital communication continue to fade authentic examples of how communities once organized become increasingly scarce. This Lions Club meeting notice represents a vanishing form of community engagement and social history that future generations will only experience through preserved examples like this one.
Secure this exceptional piece of organizational ephemera for your collection today before it disappears forever into an institutional archive or is lost to time!"
_gsrx_vers_1715 (GS 9.9.2 (1715))
Offered by Gosla Antiques & Collectibles, purveyors of antiquities, curiosities and collectible wares. Dispatched from Pennsylvania, United States, with tracking.
Gosla Antiques & Collectibles