More of this Feature • History of Campaign Buttons • Lithograph Buttons • Getting Started • About Ron Wade

Related Resources • Collecting a Piece of History • Political Memorabilia Links

From Other Guides • PoliticalFest Photo Gallery • Hail to the Chief

Elsewhere on the Web • Ron Wade Buttons

Another 20 years or so passed before a two-piece button was created with just one single piece of metal used with the lithograph printing made directly on the metal piece and the same type pin used on the reverse. These are still in use but the cost of initial setup for production of "litho" pins is such that these pins are produced when a run of thousands of buttons is needed. Celluloid buttons can be produced far less expensively when only a small run is needed, such as for a local headquarters.

Theodore Roosevelt for President celluloid button which (as made) is a watch fob as was the style for this popular 1904 campaign button in excellent condition. $185

The value of political buttons, like most collectibles, is based on condition, rarity and popularity among the collecting public. Most popular to collectors are buttons for the very famous Presidents (Lincoln, FDR and Kennedy) and the infamous (e.g. Nixon). It surprises most new collectors to know that certain buttons from the last presidential election can sell for more than a Lincoln button! In that instance it is more the rarity of the item that affects the buying market. Perhaps only one or two buttons from a particular event ever enter the collecting hobby, which drives the price higher and higher in numerous auctions and political collector shows held nation-wide.

A JFK jugate (photos of both President and VP) in a white--classic 2 1/4" celluloid button. Larger size and hard to find. Valued at $45

Many collectors, either limited by budget or their interest in only one person, are "specialists" collecting only Kennedy buttons or Nixon buttons or buttons relating to a specific issue such as prohibition or women's rights. These specialists usually are trying to get all buttons for that candidate or issue to make their collection as complete as possible.

Images Courtesy of Ron Wade, (c)2002