According to the August 1918 issue of Motion Picture Magazine, Mary Pickford reportedly spent $1200 on Smileage Books -- the largest single sale of such books on the Pacific coast. While visiting Camp Kearny, she gave the 1200 books to her “godsons,” the 143rd Field Artillery, of which she was honorary Colonel.
This Smileage Book, stamped with Mary’s signature, contains 12 remaining tickets. Gifted from the Pamela Short Collection.
An advertisement in the July 1918 issue of Photoplay offered some details about these books.
1 - Smileage Books are books containing coupons entitling a soldier to admission to any entertainment held in Liberty Theatres, Liberty Tents, etc., in National Army Cantonments, and National Guard Camps in the U.S.A.
2 - Smileage Books are issued by Military Entertainment Committee, under supervision of War Department.
3 - Smileage Books containing 20 coupons cost $1.00 each. Smileage Books containing 100 coupons cost $5.00 each. The price of entertainments range from five to twenty-five centers.
4 - Smileage Books are for use in Liberty Entertainments in National Army Cantonments and National Guard Camps only. They do not apply to naval training stations or other camps.
5 - Smileage Books are on sale by local Smileage Committees everywhere throughout the country.
6 - There is a space on each book for name of soldier and name of person sending book. Smileage Books are transferable to soldiers in uniform. They can be used by civilians only when accompanied by a soldier.
7 - Sixteen theaters have been built. Chautauqua tents erected. A complete schedule of entertainments arranged.
8 - Smileage Books are need for our million of soldiers. Buy yours today — send it at once to your solider.
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