Images(2)

Card, Membership

Object number2014.49.1

DatePost 1942

OriginPittsburgh, PA

MediumMetal

Credit LineGift of Lottie H. Graham

DescriptionRounded rectangular metal honorary membership card for the United Steelworkers of America (USWA).Dimensions2.313 x 3.625 in., 0.031 in. (5.9 x 9.2 cm, 0.1 cm)
InscriptionsText on front inscribed inside two border lines reads "United Steelworkers of America / 1500 COMMONWEALTH BUILDING PITTSBURGH 22, PA. / This is to Certify that / GEORGE A KRAMER / FOR LOYAL SERVICES RENDERED IS AN / HONORARY MEMBER / OF THE UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA / LOCAL NO. 1(?)0(6?) / I. W. Abel [signature] / INTERNATIONAL / SEC TREAS / David J. McDonald [signature] / INTERNATIONAL / PRESIDENT; all text is raised except for Kramer's name, local number, and two signatures that are engraved.

Back of card has three small and difficult to decipher engravings along the bottom edge at center: left and center engravings are indecipherable by cataloger; right engraving has text "M.P.B. / [illegible]".
Historical NotesU.S. Steelworkers of America membership card that belonged to George Kramer. Kramer was born and raised in Munich, Germany. He fought for Germany in WWI and was a French prisoner of war. After he was released, he married Elisabetha Ittmer and immigrated to the United States and settled in the South Hills outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He knew a number of other German machinists and found employment as machinist at Mesta Machine Company. Kramer then sent for his wife, their child, and his brother Hans Kramer. They had a farm in the Jefferson Hills area where they raised three daughters.

Previous owner George A. Kramer

Related institution United Steelworkers of America

Related person Elisabetha Ittmer

Related person Hans Kramer

Related institution Mesta Machine Company

Related person David J. McDonald

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