Illustration of a black, yellow and white bird over green and a pinkish blue sky

As a part of a set of 40, this button features a Bobolink bird. The plumage of male Bobolinks is said to look like a skunk or a backwards tuxedo while females have brown plumage with streaks of white. Bobolinks eat insects, grains and seeds. In South America they are nicknamed “ricebirds” because they feast on rice fields and in Jamaica they are known as “butterbirds” because they are captured and consumed by locals.

Illustration of a blue flag with white stars over black text on a white background

The Victoria state flag was first created as a colonial flag of Australia. Sweet Caporal erroneously depicted the Victoria Australian flag without the British Union Jack on this button. Today the flag pictures the British Crown, the Southern Cross paired with the current St. Edward’s Crown, and the Union Jack representing the region’s past with England.

Designed and manufactured by Whitehead & Hoag Co. advertisers like Sweet Caporal cigarettes were able to insert their own backings to this button. Sweet Caporal was a brand of cigarettes created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1878 and sold to the American Tobacco Company in 1911.  Sweet Caporal was a very popular brand, especially in Canada during the early part of the 20th Century.  In 1908, 50% of cigarette sales in Canada were comprised of the Sweet Caporal brand.

Illustration of a flag with a red and blue background and white cross over black text on a white background

As of 1939 this flag became the merchant and civil ensign of the Dominican Republic. The blue of the flag represents liberty while the red represents the blood spilled in the fight for independence. The white of the flag represents the sacrifice of the Dominican people. Today the Dominican Republic’s national flag also features the nation’s coat of arms and motto “Dios, Patria, Libertad” meaning “God, Country, Freedom.” In the button, 'Santo Domingo' is misspelled 'San Domingo," which is the Dominican Republic's capital.

Designed and manufactured by Whitehead & Hoag Co. advertisers were able to insert their own backings to this button advertising their own brands.

Illustration of a flag with blue and white stripes and a red rectangle on a white background

The El Salvador flag with 9 stripes and a red square canton was introduced by José Manuel Arce, the first elected president in El Salvador. The flag was adopted in 1865 to resemble the stars and stripes of the United States’ flag. Today the flag features a blue, white, and blue stripe with the national coat of arms in the center. The blue of the current flag represents the sky and oceans white the white represents peace and solidarity.

Designed and manufactured by Whitehead & Hoag Co. advertisers were able to insert their own backings to this button advertising their own brands.

Illustration of a flag with red and white vertical stripes over black text on a white background

The Peruvian flag pictured was adopted in 1825 with the red stripes symbolizing the Incas long lasting impact on the nation and the blood spilt for Peruvian independence. The white stripe symbolizes peace, justice, and purity.

Designed and manufactured by Whitehead & Hoag Co. advertisers like Sweet Caporal cigarettes were able to insert their own backings to this button. Sweet Caporal was a brand of cigarettes created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1878 and sold to the American Tobacco Company in 1911.  Sweet Caporal was a very popular brand, especially in Canada during the early part of the 20th Century.  In 1908, 50% of cigarette sales in Canada were comprised of the Sweet Caporal brand.

Illustration of a flag with an outer blue edge and white center over black text on a white background

Persia was established by Cyrus the Great in 550 BC and was located in what is now the country of Iran. Cyrus the Great and the subsequent ruling dynasties conquered much of the Middle East and by the 5th century Persia was the largest empire in the world. Combining Persian, Turkish, and Mongol traditions, the lion and the sun became the national emblem of Persia. The lion and the sun are symbols that have been used on flags and banners by Persian rulers and are still used today in Iran. The lion represents divinity and the lineage of the kings and the sun symbolizes the king as ruler of the heavens.

Designed and manufactured by Whitehead & Hoag Co. advertisers like Sweet Caporal cigarettes were able to insert their own backings to this button. Sweet Caporal was a brand of cigarettes created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1878 and sold to the American Tobacco Company in 1911.  Sweet Caporal was a very popular brand, especially in Canada during the early part of the 20th Century.  In 1908, 50% of cigarette sales in Canada were comprised of the Sweet Caporal brand.

Illustration of a red flag over black text on a white background

The plain red flag was first used by Morocco under the Alaouite Dynasty. The color red holds many meanings for the Moroccan nation.  Red can symbolize life force in Islam, Morocco’s official religion and is further used to represent the Moroccan royal dynasty. 

Designed and manufactured by Whitehead & Hoag Co. advertisers like Sweet Caporal cigarettes were able to insert their own backings to this button. Sweet Caporal was a brand of cigarettes created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1878 and sold to the American Tobacco Company in 1911.  Sweet Caporal was a very popular brand, especially in Canada during the early part of the 20th Century.  In 1908, 50% of cigarette sales in Canada were comprised of the Sweet Caporal brand.

Illustration of a red flag with a blue rectangle with blue stripes and black text on a white background

The British Red Ensign was established in 1707 by Queen Anne as the civil ensign of Great Britain. First flown by British merchant and passenger ships, the ensign features the British Union Jack against a red background. Also used by the 13 original American colonies before the American Revolution, the ensign was the basis for the United States flag.

Designed and manufactured by Whitehead & Hoag Co. advertisers were able to insert their own backings to this button advertising their own brands.

Illustration of a flag wit blue and white stripes and a red triangle with a white star on it over black text on a white background

The Cuban flag pictured was created by Narciso Lopez, an anti-Spanish Cuban exile, and the poet Miguel Teurbe Tolon in the fight for Cuban independence and sovereignty. The three blue stripes symbolize the three districts Cuba was divided into in the 1800s and the two white stripes symbolize the purity of Cuban patriot ideals. The red triangle symbolizes strength, constancy, and equality. The white star symbolizes Cuban independence and freedom.

Designed and manufactured by Whitehead & Hoag Co. advertisers like Sweet Caporal cigarettes were able to insert their own backings to this button. Sweet Caporal was a brand of cigarettes created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1878 and sold to the American Tobacco Company in 1911.  Sweet Caporal was a very popular brand, especially in Canada during the early part of the 20th Century.  In 1908, 50% of cigarette sales in Canada were comprised of the Sweet Caporal brand.

Illustration of a blue, white and red striped flag over black text on a white background

The Costa Rica flag was adopted in 1906 and designed after the French Revolution ideals of freedom, equality, and brotherhood. The stripes of the flag also represent different aspects of Costa Rica. The blue stripes represent the sky, perseverance, and religious ideals. The white stripes represent happiness, wisdom, and peace. The red stripe represents both the warmth of the Costa Rican people and the blood shed for independence.

Sweet Caporal was a brand of cigarettes created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1878 and sold to the American Tobacco Company in 1911.  Sweet Caporal was especially popular in Canada during the early part of the 20th Century.  In 1908, 50% of cigarette sales in Canada were comprised of the Sweet Caporal brand.