Owner Comments:
MEMORABILIA APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
*Softcover souvenir booklet that accounts the “Boy Scouts of America 50th Anniversary Jamboree” and relates with the so-called dollars minted in light of the celebration — The booklet is in excellent condition for its age; Minimal fading and wear, No bent pages/corners, markings, creases, crinkles, stains or tears; Tight binding (Like New) — A relatively scarce issue.*
MEMORABILIA BACKGROUND:
A historically rich account documenting the 1960 'Boy Scouts of America: 50th Anniversary Jubilee/Jamboree' in Colorado Springs, CO with descriptions of events, black and white/color photographs of the celebration, a map of the grounds, the impact the occasion had on society and much more.
RARITY: Likely common to scarce
MEMORABILIA DESCRIPTION:
No publication information available — 1960. Softcover Booklet, 68 pages.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUBD/SO-CALLED DOLLAR AFFILIATION:
"The 1960 National Jamboree was held at Colorado Springs, Colorado, from July 22 to 28 with the theme “For God and Country”. 56,377 Scouts and Explorers participated in the jamboree. To open the jamboree, 200 Native Americans set up a huge tepee village on stage as James Arness (Marshall Matt Dillon of television’s “Gunsmoke” series) narrated a western story. Scouts shared daily chores, cooked their own meals as was now the tradition, took part in displays, campfire gatherings, demonstrations, skill contests, a rodeo, and made inter-camp visits during the event." -- Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America
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Purpose: "To celebrate 50th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America."
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Organization: "This was fifth and largest national encampment or Jamboree. 'Two years of...work by hundreds of men' required to convert open range to Jamboree City, principally a tent city but with huge arena, roads, water mains, electric lines, own post office, bank, newspaper (90,000 copies daily) and stores, called Trading Posts. Jamboree was self-sustaining; financed by private contributions and $50 fee paid by each boy in camp. Of latter amount, $13 per capita was refunded."
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Site, Dates, Attendance: "Camp site of 4 sq. mi. created on 2,500 acre Reverse J Diamond Ranch owned by late R. E. Johnson near Colorado Springs. Jamboree held July 22 to 28, 1960; over 200,000 visitors. Elsewhere, many 'special procedures' took place in observance of anniversary, highlight being National Boy Scout Week, Feb. 7 to 13."
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Participants: "Encamped were 56,377 Scouts from all 50 states, including 650 from 26 foreign countries."
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Comment: "Scouts founded 1907 in England by Lord Robert Baden-Powell; incorporated in U.S. Feb. 8, 1910, in District of Columbia. Stated purpose is '...to promote...ability of boys to do things for themselves and others...to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance...' Over 30,000,000 Americans have been Scouts, with 2005 membership of nearly 3,000,000.
Fiftieth Anniversary Jubilee Jamboree opened with pageant, 'Spirit of America' with 6,000 Scouts participating before audience of 75,000. During week there were field sports, conservation educational programs, and daily demonstrations of Scouting skills. President Eisenhower and Lord Baden-Powell, son of founder, were distinguished guests. Called 'largest camp for boys ever held in U.S'."
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Medal: "An Official Jamboree Medal was created; designed by National Council; 65,000 pieces struck in oxidized Bronze by Robbins Co.; sold at Jamboree Trading Posts 'to boys who wished to bring them home as souvenirs.' Supply Service Division of National Council advised that all medals were delivered to Boy Scouts of America and entire quantity sold at Jamboree. Shortly after Jamboree closed, however, specimens became available elsewhere but at substantially increased prices."
Credited Source: So-Called Dollars by Harold E. Hibler and Charles V. Kappen