BILL BERGOFFEN'S WOODEN BRIEFCASE: Bill Bergoffen's personal Wooden Briefcase briefcase with wood handle, metal hardware, lined and pocketed interior. Approx. 13.75" h x 16.25" w x 3.75" d. William "Bill" Bergoffen, was head of public relations for the U.S. Forestry Service in the early 1940s when it launched its Smokey Bear Forest Fire Prevention Campaign. Bill was instrumental in the early years of the campaign that urged Americans to make a personal effort to prevent forest fires. He coordinated the campaign, and he was a member of the team that dressed Smokey Bear. He was credited with suggesting that illustrator Rudy Wendolin draw Smokey Bear wearing blue dungarees with the icon belt buckle on the front. This is Bill's personal briefcase. Provenance: Consigned by a relative..

Light scratches, scuffing, and wear to exterior.