LLLL Collectibles

Spruce Squadron at Work

More information is available on my Spruce Squadron history page. The items shown on this page are associated with the 'Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen' (LLLL), a quasi-union formed during the First World War in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. This organization helped to keep down labor unrest in the logging and milling industry, while U. S. Army men worked alongside the civilian employees. Spruce lumber for airplane manufacture was so critical to wartime needs, that the Army took over logging and production of airplane lumber. The LLLL was formed to give the civilians a chance to be patriotic, prevent labor unrest (including sabotage), and to prevent strikes during the War period.:These membership cards are not particularly common. From time to time, they are seen for sale on eBay

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Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen (LLLL) Membership Card -- This membership card was issued to a civilian logger or lumbermill worker in the Pacific Northwest, during the First World War. See the Introduction for more information about the Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen.

These membership cards are not particularly common. From time to time, they are seen for sale on eBay.

Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen (LLLL) Monthly Magazine -- This is the image of a magazine cover for the monthly publication of the Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen. See the Introduction for more information about the Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen.

The magazine contained patriotic articles and stories about the working situation for civilian loggers and logging operations. Over time, as the magazine content matured, there were jokes, camp stories, obituaries, and other more homey content. Some digital copies of these magazines are available on Google Books (search for 'loyal legion of loggers').

Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen (LLLL) Company Scrip -- This coin appears to be "camp money" or "company scrip" that would be used at a logging camp or lumbermill in the Pacific Northwest, during the First World War. See the Introduction for more information about the Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen.

Logging camps and mills often created their own "money" to force employees to use the "company store" for their goods. Sometimes, there was no other alternative, since many camps were far from towns. Other times, the money or scrip was used to force the employees to pay much the higher prices charged by the company stores. It is unclear whether this money was intended for only civilian use, or for use by the Army men working with the loggers and mill workers.

Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen (LLLL) Lapel Pin -- This lapel pin would have been purchased by a civilian logger or lumbermill worker in the Pacific Northwest, during the First World War. See the Introduction for more information about the Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen.

These pins have been seen in various forms, from simple bronze (as this example) to cloisonne with different color schemes. They are often seen for sale on eBay.

Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen (LLLL) Lapel Pin (Log Design) -- This lapel pin would have been purchased by a civilian logger or lumbermill worker in the Pacific Northwest, during the First World War. See the Introduction for more information about the Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen.

These pins have been seen in various forms. This particular item has a simple "4L" lettering on the cross-section of a log. Other pins have been seen in cloisonne with different color schemes. They are often seen for sale on eBay.

Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen (LLLL) Lapel Pin (Cloisonne) -- This lapel pin would have been purchased by a civilian logger or lumbermill worker in the Pacific Northwest, during the First World War. See the Introduction for more information about the Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen.

These pins have been seen in various forms, with this nicely colored cloisonne being more upscale than the typical bronze items I've seen. They are often seen for sale on eBay.

Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen (LLLL) Lapel Pin (Pin-Back Button) -- This lapel pin would have been purchased by a civilian logger or lumbermill worker in the Pacific Northwest, during the First World War. See the Introduction for more information about the Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen.

These pins have been seen in various forms, with this one being more like a political pinback button, than the more typical bronze items I've seen. They are often seen for sale on eBay.

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Updated Thu May 11 11:23:30 CDT 2023