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(by Graham Lee)

The Secret and Mysterious Order
of the Freckled Goldfish

A Freckled Goldfish is full of fun: SO GRIN!
A Freckled Goldfish is healthy: SO GROW!
A Freckled Goldfish is clean: SO WASH YOUR EARS!
A Freckled Goldfish is honorable: SO BEHAVE YOURSELF!

The Secret and Mysterious Order of the Freckled Goldfish club originated from one of Leo's books entitled Poppy Ott and the Freckled Goldfish. In it Poppy and Jerry start club and initiate into it adult members of the Tutter community in an effort to benefit a needy old lady, Mrs. Potter Warmley.

During readings of the manuscript to children of the neighborhood, Leo discovered how popular the club was so he decided to start a real club. Leo arranged with book illustrator Bert Salg to design a membership card to issue to members. He started a registration book and issued an announcement that was published in the front of the Freckled Goldfish book.

Freckled Goldfish membership card number one was issued to Donald Reed, young son of his publisher Grosset and Dunlap's General Manager. Card number two was issued to Bert Salg. Card number three was issued to Leo's son, Gene "Beanie" Lee, and number four was taken for himself.

The club was a great success. Thousands of boys and girls joined. By 1935, membership had grown to 26,761. Members received their card, a pin, and a booklet which told you how to organize a local lodge along with rules and rituals.

Membership is for life. Are you a Freckled Goldfish? We would love to hear from you. E-mail Graham Lee or Tom Lee.

 

From: Forkryan Forkryan@aol.com
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 15:50:48 EST
To: landmark@up.net
Subject: Freckled Goldfish
Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com)

 

Hello!

I went to your website to find out more about the "Freckled Goldfish Club"

because my uncle was member#28. He passed away in September, but I remember

>what a kick he got out of showing me his membership card back when I was a

kid. I just wondered whether I should hold on to his card or not. It seems

kind of unique. I'm just not sure what to do with it. At least I know more

about the history of the club. My uncle, William Rawson, loved quirky things

such as this club. Let me know what your opinion is regarding what to do

with my uncle's card.

Thank you!

Happy Holidays!

Diane Ryan (Rawson)

 

Dear Diane,

Please send me the card. I will scan it and put it up on the site... and then return

the card to you. At one time Leo kept a HUGE log book of Goldfish Members.

But over the years it has vanished. Your CARD NUMBER 28 is on the site ...

and the original back in the mail to you.

Thanks,

Tom Lee


FRECKLED GOLDFISH CARD NUMBER 28 ... Mr. Bill Rawson

 

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