Dating_Union

Founded in 1864, the Cigar Maker’s International Union is one of history’s most influential. Among its many contributions is the national label to identify Union made goods. Adopted at the 1880 convention, the label is blue as a compromise between San Francisco which issued an anti-Chinese white label in 1874 and St. Louis which issued a red label during a strike against a wage reduction in 1875.

The Union label was furnished free to all strictly Union shops, to be placed on cigars made by Union members. If the manufacturer also bought and resold Chinese, tenement house, or scab cigars, it was up to the Local Union to decide whether to withhold the label. If the label is granted to such a firm, it may not be placed on any of the disapproved Chinese, scab or tenement house cigars. It was forbidden to use the label in any factory which paid less than $6 per thousand to its roller, or on any cigars sold for less than $20 per thousand (2¢ each). No factory who offered any premium as an inducement for the sale of his goods could legally use the label. One of the more controversial, some say short-sighted, decisions by the C.M.I.U. prohibited the blue label to be used on cigars made in whole or in part by machinery (which at first included moulds). Although this dictum was modified later, it prevented bringing the huge new female work-force into the Union expeditiously, causing a substantial loss of momentum in the Union movement.

Because the label underwent frequent changes, it can be an outstanding tool for dating cigar boxes more precisely than is possible with US tax stamps. Some caution is suggested, however, as these “Blue Labels” were not legally required by the government or the Union so older issues were sometimes used for a year or two after new ones were available.

Local Union Cancellations

Until the 1930’s, Union Locals were supposed to cancel their “Blue Label” stamps, indicating the Union Local number, the cigar factory’s Federal ID, and the date. Evidence on boxes suggests locals usually followed the rule, but cancellations were seldom carefully done, so are often not readable. Many different shapes and styles are seen.

Union Label Placement

photo coming

Standard placement of CMIU labels was similar to that of tax stamps, usually on the opposite side of the box. This, in my opinion, was adequate for identifying Union cigars in closed boxes, but no Union identification was visible when the box was open in a crowded cigar counter. The placement on M.I. is no improvement.

Not all states and towns supported Unionism, so discretion was apparently typical. I have seen only two boxes with the CMIU label on the inside lid [below] which seems like great show-casing in pro-union markets. Placement of the Union Blue Label suggests this box was used to sell retail in the factory store.

The strangest placement yet is that seen lower left: a small size 1936 stamp folded lengthwise and glued half on the front and half on the bottom. The Union “Blue Label” has (very rarely) also been found on the bottom and on the back of a cigar box.

Stogie Union

1915-1926:

G.W. Perkins began signing a Union Stogie Makers stamp in 1915 after the merger of the C.M.I.U. and previously independent Stogie Makers. The photo (left) is of a 30 year old xerox copy of this very rare stamp.

1927-1935:

Starting in 1927, they were signed by I.M. Ornburn. It’s very unusual for a tax stamp to be pasted on top of the Union label.

Presumably, subsequent CMIU presidents signed similar stamps.

1948-1952:

Mario Azpeitia presided over the terminally weakened Union from 1948 to 1974. He signed a simplified form of Union Label used by the Stogie Makers in the very early 1950s.

1952-1974:

Like post 1952 Cigar Makers’ stamps, later Stogie stamps are unsigned and make reference to the A.F. of L.

Stamp courtesy of Brian Roberts, not in the NCM collection.

Stogie Union label/stamps are rare from any period as stogie makers were few and seldom unionized.

An inglorious end to America’s best known Union symbol

1952 - 1974

In 1952, the membership approved this printed-on-the-box CMIU label replacement for stamps, as seen on this 1960’s JUDGES CAVE. The diamond is also found elongated side to side.

A pathetic ending for a glorious emblem, tho in keeping with the ignominious demise of the once proud and influential union itself, absorbed into the grocery clerks.

The craftsmen of the 1880’s silently turned over in their graves.

1927-1935:

Same text and 1880 date but the Printer’s Union bug moved to new location. Signed by I.M. Ornburn, the new president. Many sizes, with 3.5” the new standard.

1936-1944:

A new design was signed by R.E. Van Horn. Capital letters in text replaced; local cancellation area now copyright infringement warning; printers Union bug moved again.

1944-1948:

Same design and text but now signed by A.P. Bower, President. CMIU effec-tiveness severely declined. Note slow rise in serial numbers. Most stamps are 3.5” long.

1948-1952:

Same design and text but now signed by Mario Azpieta. Serial numbers no longer used. The stamp seen here was 3.5” long, used 1951.

1952-1974:

In 1952 the design was changed to an unsigned simplified stamp, a major departure from the wordy past. This is the last of the once proud Blue Label. These were used concurrently with the union bug printed on the box.

1892-1894:

G.W. Perkins signature and original negative COOLIE text which he soon changes to positive. SEPT 1880 stays top center. Scarce because Perkins didn’t like the negative text.

1894-1898:

Perkins signature with new positive MORAL, MATERIAL and INTELLECTUAL WELFARE text. Printer’s Union bug added lower left.

1898-1905:

Same as previous issue except Printer’s Union bug made slightly larger. Widely used.

1905-1926:

Same as previous, but starting in 1905, red serial numbers were over-printed. Series A was 1905 to 1908, Series B was 1908-1912, Series C was 1912-1916, Series D from 1916-1920 and series E began in 1920.

Starting in 1915 other sizes of CMIU stamps were permitted, some, after 1921, as small as 1 9/16” long.

Overprints on these smaller stamps do not always continue the letter sequencing started in 1905.

1880-1886:

First issue: Strasser (Strafser) signature, negative text: “COOLY, PRISON, FILTHY TENEMENT HOUSE.”

No date or box size at top center.

No place for Local stamp. 5.5” long.

1886:

Short lived experimental issue. Strafser signature, no text. Top center of stamp indicates either 50 or 100 cigars in the box. Rare. Came in two sizes.

1886-1888:

Strafser signature and text. 50-Box or 100-Box at top center. Place for cancellation by the local union added at right. COOLY changed to COOLIE.

Came in two sizes.

NCM Home Dating Cigar Boxes Cigar Maker’s Union CMIU Give-aways

1887 White Labor

Short lived CMIU stamp issued by San Francisco local 228 as part of their anti-Chinese campaign.

Sadly, not in the NCM collection.

Seen courtesy of Brian Roberts.

1888-1892:

Strafser signature and negative text. “SEPT 1880” replaces box size at top center, where it remains until 1974. The first popular Union stamp issue.

Knights of Labor (K of L)

For a short while, starting in 1885, the rival Knights of Labor issued a 2 3/4” circular label for use of K of L members who were cigarmakers. The C.M.I.U. refused to recognize the label as legitimately representing union made goods, claiming the Knights allowed scab labor to use the label.

At first, in 1884, The K of L

tried to use an ‘all trades’ label

but the experiment was short

lived and they began issuing

single-trade stickers like this.

Ironically, the cigar brand

KNIGHTS OF LABOR has the

rare experimental C.M.I.U.

label of 1886, not this one.

[0284] [6551]