WILLIAM WOODIN ASSOCIATION ITEMS

William Woodin was mentioned in The E-Sylum last week. I won't bother to write his biography. Instead, I will use him to introduce my collection of association items for American numismatists.

I don't have a clear idea of what qualifies as an association item. I collect autographs and I collect business cards. I think a business card qualifies but an autograph does not. The difference is probably not important.

I have a copy of the sheet music for "Franklin D. Roosevelt March," composed by William H. Woodin with words by Irving Caesar and introduced in 1933. It was published by Miller Music, Inc. There is a note "The Profits from the sales of this composition donated to Warm Springs Foundation."

   

 

I also have sheet music for "Spring is in My Heart Again" with words by John Mercer, music by William Woodin and published by Miller Music Corporation, copyright 1932. Actually, I have three different copies with different covers. If you asked me why I have three different copies, I would say "I collect Woodin sheet music by die variety."

Another title is "Eight Compositions by William H. Woodin" published by Miller Music. As the title suggests, it included eight different songs, copyright MCMXXXI. For those who don't know Roman numerals, that was 1931.

 

William H. Woodin had an unsuccessful run for Congress as a Republican candidate in 1898. I have a campaign card and campaign ribbon for the campaign. I also have a pinback button that does not photograph well.

Time Magazine for March 20, 1933, had a cover engraving of Woodin. Stories inside covered activities of the new Roosevelt administration.

Woodin was President of the American Car and Foundry Corporation in 1916. They were one of the largest producers of railroad cars during the First World War. Woodin commissioned medals to be presented to workers for their service during the war.

 

The medals were struck by the Gorham Company from a design by Chester A. Beach and modelling by Julio Kilenyi. Mintage for the 63.5 mm piece was 7500 in bronze and other metals. This can be collected as a medal and as an association item. I like the medal for its historical context and artistic imagery. I also like it for the association with Woodin.

Now we get to the fun stuff. William Woodin was friends with Johnny Gruelle, the writer and creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy. They shared a love for children. Woodin composed songs that he sang to his children. Under the name Will Woodin, he wrote the music for the songbook, Raggedy Ann's Sunny Songs, with sixteen songs.

The booklet included instructions for playing the ukulele. In the introduction, it was stated, "The melodies are appealing though simple and at no time exceed the compass of the child's voice… The piano accompaniments are always simple and easy to play."

One of Gruelle's characters was Little Wooden Willie as a tribute to his friend. The songbook includes "Little Wooden Willie." The words go like this:

I have always been amused by the thought that Roosevelt's Secretary of the Treasury was known as Little Wooden Willie.

I have a copy of United States Pattern, Trial and Experimental Pieces by Edgar H. Adams and William H. Woodin. I don't consider that an association item. I also don't consider the United States Mint medal produced for Woodin as Secretary of the Treasury. (USM 213) For those, their connection as collectible items is too direct.

As with any obscure collectible field, each collector may decide what they wish to collect.

To read earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
WILLIAM H. WOODIN'S 1898 CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v10n50a22.html)
WILLIAM H. WOODIN'S POLITICAL JOURNEY AND MUSICAL TALENT (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v10n51a16.html)
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: DECEMBER 14, 2025 : Who Wrote the Franklin D. Roosevelt March? (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n50a12.html)

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