1922 BPO Elks Convention, Scranton, PA

The following information was provided by Thomas Costello, October 2020

Two Scranton artists , Patrick W. Costello and Joseph R. Fadden, illustrated the cover and six inside pages of this 1922 Annual State Reunion and Convention book of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

P. W. COSTELLO (1866-1935) was a nationally prominent pen & ink artist, designer and engrosser who created many hand-rendered, beautifully decorated documents commemorating the accomplishments of Elks Club members.

Mr. Costello also lettered and illustrated this attractive Elks' book cover, featuring, at left, the organization’s main symbol, an American Elk, draped with the U.S. Flag and the flag of B.P.O.E. 123, the local chapter of the Scranton Elks. At top, center, a clock reads 11 p.m., a solemn tradition and time for Elks to remember their absent brethren, living or dead. Below is the emblem of the City of Scranton with a coal breaker and other images of industrial progress – all encircled by a wreath of laurel leaves.

In addition to fraternal organizations like the Elks and Ancient Order of Hibernians, Mr. Costello engrossed resolutions for four U.S. presidents, visiting heads of state, business leaders and Hall of Fame baseball players. Today he is recognized as one of the preeminent American engrossers and portrait artists of the early 20th Century.

JOSEPH “JOE” FADDEN (1899-1955), a West Scranton native, was the popular staff cartoonist for The Scranton Tribune and The Scrantonian for over twenty years. Fadden learned his craft from his colleague, Bill Steinke, one of the best newspaper cartoonists in the business.

Joe Fadden expertly designed, lettered and decorated six pages of photos in this Elks Convention book. On page 5 is a portrait of J. Edgar Masters, the Elks’ Grand Exalted Ruler for the State of Pennsylvania. By surrounding the photo with a border, a drawing of an elk, vines, banners, filigree and a flag, Fadden gave the page enhanced visual appeal.

With a variety of decorative imagery, he did the same for five other pages containing multiple photos: page 13: nine photos of state officers; page 25: ten photos of state association past presidents; page 33: thirteen photos of Scranton Lodge officers; page 41: twenty-two photos of men on the convention committee; page 55: eleven convention officials.

When he was a teenager, complications from a sandlot baseball injury left Fadden paralyzed from the hips down, confining him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He faced his handicap with courage and a spirit of independence. He was known as a kindly, genial man and a colorful storyteller, who enjoyed the company of his wide circle of friends. Fadden was versed in all branches of sport, but boxing and Eastern League pro baseball were his favorites. There were a few years in the 1940s when Joe Fadden actually lived in the Elks Lodge on N. Washington Ave.