dc:identifier=httphdllocgovlocpnpggbain33055

Urbain Ledoux (LOC)

from The Library of Congress

• B-59 said:

  A similar photo ran in the Arizona republican., September 25, 1921, Page 7 with the caption: "Like slaves of the old south, 50 jobless men, stripped to the waist, were put up for "sale" on Boston Common by Urbain Ledoux (right), a philanthropic worker who recently opened the Church of the Unemployed. Two were "sold" to employers." chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84020558/1921-09-25/ed-... See also en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urbain_Ledoux

• Art Siegel said:

  I think this is the same photo in the New York Tribune, 9-18-21, with the caption:
  "ON THE AUCTION BLOCK.
  The first auction sale of a man to take place in this country since
  the Civil War is held on historic Boston Common, when Jim Ferris, a twenty-three-year-old veteran of the World War, jobless, broke and hungry, is put up by Urbain Ledoux, the noted charity worker. Ferris was willing to work for the highest bidder, but failed to draw a single bid."
  chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1921-09-18/ed-...
  chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1921-09-18/ed-...
  
  "Urbain J. Ledoux (August 13, 1874 – April 8, 1941), later known as "Mr. Zero", referring to his not wanting his own name to be prominent, was motivated early in his quest of service to humanity."
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urbain_Ledoux
  
  and see film of this scene:
  

• Hanna (LOC P&P) said:

  Great teamwork to add not only a name but context to the photograph! Will submit for a record edit. Thank you!