Illustration of Batman in a fighting stance on a green background with black lines with red text on the right-hand side

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Dark blue litho photograph of Abraham Lincoln with dark blue text around  the bottom rim on a white background

The button in the image was made for the Lincoln Centennial in 1953, but it likely doesn't celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birth, which happened in 1809 and was already widely honored in 1909. Instead, the 1953 date may recognize 100 years since Lincoln returned to politics around 1853 after stepping away for a time. This makes sense, especially in Illinois, where many local groups held centennial events focused on important moments in Lincoln’s life. While the phrase “Lincoln Centennial 1953” might also remind people of the Lincoln penny made that year by the U.S. Mint, this button seems more focused on honoring Lincoln’s legacy through community or historical celebrations.

Abraham Lincoln was one of the first U.S. presidents to be featured on wearable campaign memorabilia. During his 1860 and 1864 presidential campaigns, ferrotypes, small photographic portraits printed on tin and worn like pins, became popular, serving as precursors to today’s pin-back buttons. Buttons with Lincoln’s image have stayed popular, created to honor his presidency, celebrate anniversaries, and reflect his lasting impact. 

Illustration of the head of a pink-haired Troll doll in the center on a white background over a horizontal blue band with two white stars on either side of the troll; black text is on the top and bottom with a red band around the rim; pink troll doll hair is attached to the top of the button

The “Russ Troll for President” button is a collectible from the peak of Russ Troll mania, produced by the Russ Berrie company. Known for their large eyes and vibrant, fluorescent hair, Troll dolls first appeared in the 1960s but gained widespread popularity in the late ’80s and early ’90s. These dolls appeared on a variety of items, from school supplies and clothing to fun accessories like this button.

The characters embody a broader pop culture trend where fan-favorite characters are humorously portrayed as presidential candidates, blending playful fandom with political satire. This button features a smiling troll with bright neon pink faux hair set against a traditional red, white, and blue background, resembling actual political campaign buttons, complete with stars, stripes, and a humorous slogan.

In 2008, Russ Berrie merged with Sassy, Inc. to create Kids Brands, Inc. The following year, Kids Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Subsequently, other companies acquired the Russ Berrie brand and its assets. Currently, the Russ Berrie brand is owned by a different company and is no longer an independent brand. 

Blue football helmet on an orange background with white text on a blue background and blue cursive text outlined in white, plus small white text on the lower third of the button; maroon and yellow ribbons and a gold football fob are attached to the bottom of the button

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Black text with filigree detail and a blue graphic exclamation point on a yellow background with  

During the 1970s and 1980s, public libraries across the United States adopted bright, memorable slogans to promote reading and civic engagement. Many of these outreach efforts were tied to National Library Week, a nationwide initiative established by the American Library Association (ALA) in 1958 to encourage library use and emphasize the social value of reading. Phrases such as “Libraries Have It” echoed the marketing tone of contemporaneous campaigns like “Reading Is Fundamental” and “Join the Library - It’s Yours!”, reflecting a period when libraries were reframing themselves as dynamic community centers rather than just repositories of books.

Buttons bearing this slogan may have been distributed by public or school libraries during local reading drives, open houses, or ALA-affiliated promotional events. The optimistic design, bold typography, and cheerful color scheme align with the graphic sensibilities of mid-century public-service messaging. The imprint of Art Guild Inc., a well-known producer of educational and civic advertising materials, suggests that these buttons were professionally manufactured for widespread promotional use during the library advocacy boom of the 1970s.

Yellow text on a purple background

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White background with blue text along the top rim, red text along the bottom, and an illustration in the center of a red arrow with footsteps on it going around the planet Earth 

Miles for Mankind was a community walk-a-thon movement in the 1970s and 1980s that encouraged participants to raise money for humanitarian and service projects, often under the direction of local YMCA chapters. Walkers collected pledges for each mile completed, with funds supporting programs such as YMCA World Service, which aided international development and relief work. The event reflected the era’s enthusiasm for fitness and philanthropy, uniting civic spirit with charitable giving.

Across the United States, Miles for Mankind became an annual tradition in many towns. Families, students, and service organizations gathered each year to walk together for global and local causes, highlighting the YMCA’s role in promoting both community well-being and international understanding. The event’s widespread popularity demonstrated how grassroots fundraising and volunteerism could transform small-town participation into global impact.

Illustration of a blue elephant on a white background holding a blue banner with white lettering in its trunk; there is white text superimposed on the elephant illustration and blue text below.

In 1940, Republican candidate Forrest C. Donnell ran for governor of Missouri in a hotly contested election against Democrat Larry McDaniel. The race took place during a turbulent period in Missouri politics following the fall of Tom Pendergast’s Kansas City political machine, which had long dominated Democratic power in the state. Donnell’s narrow victory ended more than a decade of one-party control and marked the beginning of a new era in Missouri politics. Once in office, he emphasized fiscal conservatism and efficiency, serving as governor from 1941 to 1945 before being elected to the U.S. Senate.

Donnell’s election nearly sparked a constitutional crisis. After the votes were counted, the Democratic-controlled legislature initially refused to certify his win, effectively blocking him from taking office. The standoff became known as the “Great Governorship Steal”, and it lasted for over a month before the Missouri Supreme Court ruled in Donnell’s favor. His eventual inauguration symbolized both a legal and political turning point in the state’s history.

Green background with orange around the top rim, yellow with orange text around the bottom, and color photograph of baseball player Ozzie Smith wearing a red cap in the center

Ozzie Smith, born Osborne Earl Smith, is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) shortstop who played for the San Diego Padres and the St. Louis Cardinals. Nicknamed “The Wizard of Oz,"—or simply “The Wizard,” by the Yuma Daily Sun in a March, 1981 feature—Smith became renowned for his defensive brilliance, athleticism, and showmanship on the field. He gained national attention not only for his highlight-reel plays at shortstop but also for his signature backflips, which he performed while taking the field and which became a trademark of his career. Over 19 seasons, Smith was selected to 15 All-Star Games, won 13 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, and helped lead the Cardinals to a World Series championship in 1982. After retiring in 1996, his legacy as one of the greatest defensive players in baseball history was cemented with his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002. 

In the center is an illustration of a red, blue, and yellow steamboat above wavy blue and yellow horizontal lines meant to mimic water; black cursive text is on the top right and all is on a white background. 

The Delta Queen is the last fully intact overnight passenger steamboat in the United States. Built in 1926 with her twin, the Delta King, she began service the following year in June, 1927. She ran nightly trips between San Francisco and Sacramento, California for thirteen years through the Great Depression. After the boat's final California voyage in 1940, she served the U.S. Navy during World War II before being restored and moved to the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers for passenger cruises. She is known for her polished wood interiors, stained glass, brass accents, and grand staircase with a crystal chandelier. The Delta Queen was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1989.