Political Collectibles: Campaign Memorabilia and Historical Americana

Political collectibles encompass the buttons, ribbons, posters, banners, tokens, textiles, ceramics, and ephemera produced for American presidential campaigns, political movements, and government events from the founding of the republic to the present. This category is one of the most actively traded segments of the Americana market, driven by historical significance, crossover appeal with history enthusiasts, and the cyclical interest generated by election years.

History and Development

Political campaigning through material culture began in earnest with George Washington's inauguration in 1789, when brass clothing buttons bearing his likeness were produced. The tradition expanded through the 19th century with ferrotypes (tintypes in brass frames), silk ribbons, parade torches, and lithographed prints. The celluloid pinback button, invented in 1896 by Whitehead & Hoag of Newark, New Jersey, revolutionized campaign merchandising and remains the most widely collected format.

Types of Political Collectibles

• Pinback buttons: Celluloid-covered or lithographed tin; the backbone of most collections
• Ferrotypes: Tintype photographs in small brass shell frames; 1860-1880 campaigns
• Ribbons: Silk or satin ribbons with printed or woven candidate portraits; 1840-1900
• Posters and broadsides: Lithographed campaign posters, especially from the 1860-1920 era
• Tokens and medals: Brass, copper, or white metal campaign tokens from the 1830s onward
• Textiles: Bandannas, flags, and parade banners with candidate imagery
• Ceramics and glassware: Plates, mugs, and pressed glass items commemorating candidates or inaugurations
• 3D items: Lanterns, canes, hats, and novelty items from torchlight parade era (1860-1900)

Key Identification Points

• Celluloid buttons: Look for the curled paper edge under the collet (rim); pre-1920 examples have thicker celluloid
• Whitehead & Hoag: The dominant maker; backpaper reading "Whitehead & Hoag Co., Newark, N.J." indicates early production
• Size matters: Standard button sizes are 7/8", 1-1/4", 1-3/4", 2-1/8", and 3-1/2" -- unusual sizes may indicate reproductions
• Jugates: Buttons showing both presidential and vice-presidential candidates together; among the most valuable format

Auction Price Ranges

Condition Factors

• Buttons: Foxing (brown spots on celluloid), scratches, dents, and fading all reduce value; bright, clean examples command premiums
• Ribbons: Staining and fraying are common; unfaded colors and complete fringe dramatically increase value
• Paper: Tears, creases, and staining affect posters and broadsides; professional conservation is acceptable if disclosed
• Ferrotypes: The tintype image condition is paramount; corrosion or image loss severely impacts value

Collecting Tips

• Third-party candidates (Theodore Roosevelt's Bull Moose 1912, Debs, LaFollette) produced scarcer items that often outperform major party material
• Losing candidates generally have scarcer surviving material than winners, making items for candidates like Alton Parker (1904) or John W. Davis (1924) highly prized
• Reproductions and fantasies (items that never existed originally) are rampant; the American Political Items Collectors (APIC) organization publishes guides to known fakes
• Election year cycles create predictable market surges; buying between cycles often yields better prices
• Local and state political items have a smaller but dedicated collector base and can represent excellent value
• Pre-1896 material (before the celluloid button era) is fundamentally different in character and appeals to a crossover audience of Americana and folk art collectors