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Though politics seem divisive at the moment, in the world of antiques, elections offer a way to get together and have some fun.
History buffs, party activists and collectors of all ages enjoy reminders of hard-fought races and meaningful issues in our political past.
This year's candidates offer a first, too, as Kamala Harris is the first Black and South Asian woman to be a major party’s vice presidential nominee.
Political buttons, banners, trinkets and advertising items are important parts of the American story. Political pins like we know today have been around since the 1896 presidential campaigns.
"Political campaign pin-back buttons were first mass produced and widely distributed in 1896 for the president-to-be William McKinley and for the first of three unsuccessful attempts by William Jennings Bryan," according to Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide information.
The most valuable buttons are those that relate to any political figure whose time in office was marked by an event that is unique, important or scandalous.
I have a few Richard Nixon items stashed in the basement that were saved by my mother back in the 1970s. Since he was the only President to ever resign, as a result of the Watergate scandal, she thought they might be valuable one day. But Nixon items are actually plentiful.
Political collectibles include other items besides pin back buttons. Almanacs, aprons, ashtrays, banners, bags, bandannas, belt buckles, books, bumper stickers, canes, calendars, cards, decals, fans, flags, flyers, hats, license plate attachments, pens, pencils, plates, postcards, posters, puzzles, ribbons, rings, sheet music, socks, stickpins, sunglasses, thimbles, tickets, umbrellas, and watch fobs are all included in this collecting category!
Political collectors often start their collection with local buttons since these buttons are interesting and easier to come by. Before long though, a serious pin collector will usually narrow the focus to just presidential election buttons, protest buttons or a particular time period, party or candidate.
When collecting presidential buttons, the term jugate refers to a button with a picture of both candidates -- the president and vice-president. What a great treasure a complete collection consisting of one jugate for each party in each presidential election since 1896 would be!
But the time and money a serious collector would need to amass this treasure wouldn't be small, since a Cox-Roosevelt pin can bring many thousands of dollars at auction. It is that rare.
In the past, political pins were often free gifts to supporters. Today, perhaps because they are so popular, you can purchase them online, at political rallies and other events.
A version of political buttons was used as early as 1789. These buttons, however, are the ones sewn onto President George Washington and his supporter's clothing, as utilitarian brass buttons. Highly collectible, they read "G.W. Long Live the President."
One of these little treasures is selling currently for $4,450 on eBay right now! There are several versions of the Washington buttons that were created and collectors must do their research to make a good buy.
For more information on political collectibles, visit American Political Items Collectors (www.apic.us) website where you'll find membership information, convention news and more.
For comments or suggestions on local treasures to be featured in Antique of the Week, Maureen Zambito can be reached via email at zambitomaureen@hotmail.com or by writing in care of the Sunday News-Register, 1500 Main St., Wheeling, WV 26003.