Political Campaign Pin, Cox and Roosevelt

FDR wins again. In March 2022, a “unicorn” of the political collectible world sold for nearly $200,000. Hake’s Auctions sold a truly rare campaign pinback button for 1920 presidential candidate James M. Cox and running mate Franklin D. Roosevelt. The price, $185,850 (including buyer’s premium), far exceeded the previous record of $70,092 for a pinback, set in June 2021 for a Babe Ruth American League Champions button. The 1 1/4-inch jugate button shows the faces of the candidates above the banner “Cox and Roosevelt.” The style and size of this button are so rare it is known as a “unicorn” — a term reserved for legendary items like a Honus Wagner T206 baseball card or Action Comics #1, the debut of Superman.

 

 

Celebrating the Fourth

Dear Lee,

Welcome to our special Fourth of July Americana issue! To honor the day, this month we emphasize objects made in America or by American designers.

Ralph and I were always on the lookout for vintage presidential and patriotic collectibles at flea markets and house sales. They are as varied and different as the 45 men who have held that office. We found the more commonly known ones, like buttons and posters, but we also found fun ones like a 5-foot-high wooden cutout of Uncle Sam. He graced our entry hall during the Fourth of July celebrations. We ended up donating him to our local historical society, but our children and grandchildren still fondly remember him.

I display in my own office a dozen political and patriotic banners I’ve collected over the years. I have original banners touting 19th-century presidential candidates James Garfield, Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison along with their running mates, and a 1904 Teddy Roosevelt campaign bandanna. I also have a bold portrait that shows the “Hero of Manila,” Admiral George Dewey of the 1898 Spanish-American War. One of my great prizes is a piece of fabric with an illustration commemorating the death of George Washington, with angels bearing him toward heaven.

One that I don’t have, but would love to see one day, is an 1800 cloth banner celebrating the electoral victory of Thomas Jefferson over John Adams. It is believed to be one of the earliest surviving textiles with partisan imagery and is currently at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, though not on view.

As I gather again this year with friends and family, I know I am continuing a tradition that will live on in memories for years. And we don’t need a banner to know that.

Happy Independence Day!

 

FROM THE KOVEL COLLECTION

Above:  Tribute to Spanish-American War hero Admiral George Dewey.

Below:  Theodore Roosevelt/Charles Fairbanks 1904 presidential campaign bandanna.

 

Presidents’ Day: Political Buttons Are Great Collectibles 

Pull out your red, white and blue next week for Presidents’ Day on Monday.  Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act. It consolidated official celebrations of Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12) and Washington’s birthday (Feb. 22). Presidents’ Day is now a day to recognize all U.S. presidents.

Buttons and pins have been a part of election culture since the United States’ campaigns and even the first presidential inauguration, when metal pins bearing the phrase “Long live the president” and George Washington’s initials were worn by his supporters. Abraham Lincoln was the first president to use buttons as a campaign tool. In the 1860 presidential election, his campaign used tintype or ferrotype (a photograph made of tin and dark enamel or lacquer) buttons.  Even buttons for candidates who lost elections are popular. In 1916, New York City Governor Charles Evans Hughes lost to Woodrow Wilson. This button that featured Hughes’ likeness with shields and Latin slogans was at one time supposedly the only known example of the candidate’s political buttons. It sold in 2019 for $17,500.

The first mass produced and collectible buttons for a presidential campaign started with the McKinley vs. Bryan race in 1896. They are called celluloid buttons because the front side of a metal disc is covered with paper and then protected by a layer of celluloid with images of the candidates. McKinley won the election and became the first president to achieve a popular majority since 1872. For collectors who want a celluloid campaign button from each president and major party candidate, the 1896 McKinley/Bryan race is a good place to start.

 

William Henry Harrison Political Ribbon

Q:  I found this political item in a 117-year old book I purchased. It’s made of cloth with black printing and is about 4 inches wide and 8 inches long. How can I find out what it is worth? A:  William Henry Harrison and John Tyler, members of the Whig Party, were elected in 1840. […]

Declaration of Independence Broadside Sells

A rare 1776 broadside edition of the Declaration of Independence from the Collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II sold for $990,000. After the approved text of the Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776, Continental Congress sent copies to  assemblies and committees in the 13 self-proclaimed United States printed by John Dunlap of Philadelphia. The one sold is one of 14 known to exist.

Photo: Christie’s Images Ltd.

When Is an Old Sweater a Treasure Worth Thousands?

An old red wool cardigan sweater grabbed a lot of attention at a recent auction. A hint as to why can be found in the collar: a label embroidered with “Kennedy” still attached by sturdy red threads. John F. Kennedy’s Harvard sweater sold for $85,266 in an online sale by RR Auction of Boston. The crimson cardigan with shawl collar has a large black block-letter “H” for Kennedy’s alma mater knitted into the left breast. The collegiate sweater has eight white mother-of-pearl buttons, with two sewn-in pockets on the front. 
 
The sweater was acquired by Herman Lang, a cameraman who was shooting a network television interview with Jacqueline Kennedy in May 1964. Lang was believed to have been offered the sweater while shooting outdoors because of the cold weather. When he attempted to return it, he was told to keep it as a reminder of the late President Kennedy.