Bastian Brothers Company 12345

Blue background with black lettering and cut-out archway with photograph of Bastian Brothers employee.

Bastian Brothers Company opened in 1895 in Rochester, New York by brothers Theron Bastian and Frederick Bastian.  Originally a jewelry store, the company quickly began producing customized badges, paperweights, lapel pins, and award products. Bastian Brothers is a totally unionized firm.

Bastian Brothers employees wore these pins as their employee identification. There is a small window in the front of the button, behind which a photograph is placed. Note the interesting employee number "12345."

This button is mostly made of celluloid because of the metal rations during WW2. Only a grommet and the pin are made of metal.