Political Collecting

When millions of people are tuned into a political event and descend on a city to celebrate a new president, many of these people will also want memorabilia from the events. Something to remember the special event and the historical time in our country's history.

Although it's always nice when a collectible or piece of memorabilia appreciates in value, it's important to remember that most thi…

Pinbacks, buttons, campaign pins, they may be called different things, but it all means one thing -- the guy you're supporting.

With election year heating up and new items are becoming available, this is a good time to look at Political Memorabilia. Although most new items purchased or found this year will most likely take a long time (if ever) to appreciate in value, pick up a few pieces to collect a part of our history.

As with most collections -- prices can range from just a few bucks for paper items to thousands of dollars for antique items. Serious political collectors usually collect for an investment, but you can still collect on a budget and have fun with political and presidential memorabilia.

Although many non-collectors think of campaign buttons as the main source of political collecting, Dr. Nappen shows us that there is so much more to collect and acquire. Nappen explains that "just about every category of collecting interest includes campaign objects created or designed to influence the attitude and behavior of people. In a sense, that is the definition of politics."

From your About.com Guide to Collectibles -- Political Collectibles, A Piece of History.

Political pin collector Ron Wade, shares his expertise in collecting campaign pins.

Grant's sword and Custer's flag were the highlights of the $6.5 million dollar auction held in June 2007.

An example of the popularity of political buttons is a recently completed auction of a rare 1908 Taft/Sherman Presidential Pin.

American Political Items Collectors is a national association of political hobbyist and scholars -- 3000+ members strong and in existence since 1945.

Site for collectors of all types of political campaign memorabilia relating to President Bush, President George W. Bush, Governor Jeb Bush, Prescott Bush, Jr. and U.S. Senator Prescott Bush (father of President Bush).

This fun site shows buttons from campaigns dating back to 1896. A lighthearted looking site.

A good looking auction site with many different categories of historial collectibles

The Presidential Library.

This website is huge! And has just about everything you could possibly want in the way of political collectibles. And why not, Ron bought his first campaign pins when he was only nine years old.