Gold and black illustration of a walnut with eyes and a white speech bubble with red text on a black background

In 1938, the Topps company was born in Brooklyn, NY by Morris Shorin and his four sons. The family used Topps to distribute gum as a way to supplement their struggling tobacco business. The company quickly grew and in 1949, they entered the baseball card industry for which they are most known for. The company also manufactures other collectibles such as pinback buttons. Like other manufacturing companies, not every collectible will make it to full-scale production. Some of them will only run as test issues, making them rarer than the average collectible, and thus more desirable among collectors. 

Illustration of a grey donkey wearing a red ribbon around its neck and a yellow hat with a red, white and blue stripe and a blue flower with blue text on top on a white background

Created in support of Democratic Women, this style of illustration was typical during the 1960s and 70s.  The image of a donkey became associated with the Democratic party during the early 19th century. During this period of time, it was fashionable for women to wear hats to social functions.

In 1971, the National Federation of Democratic Women was formed. The organization's purpose is to unite Democratic women and encourage more political participation at every government level. From 1972-1977, the Federation was recognized by the Democratic National Committee as the official women's organization. The National Federation of Democratic Women received a seat on the DNC Executive Committee and three seats on the DNC.

Black text on a yellow background

Bullshit is a curse word used to express disbelief in an event or piece of information presented as true when it is false. The first attested use of the term bullshit appears in a piece written by T.S. Eliot entitled, "The Triumph of Bullshit." It is a comic ballad in which Eliot preemptively criticizes himself and his works before his critics could. The term bullshit only appears in the title.

Illustration of a person in a black suite with red tie throwing money in the air on a blue background with yellow text

Have info on this button? Contact us here.

Black and white illustration of a child with big eyes, freckles and a black ribbon with polka dots in their hair with red text above an black text below on a white background

"Be Alert.  This Country Needs Lerts" is a play on words based on converting the adjective "alert" into the noun "lert" and the indefinite article "a."  The word "lert" has no meaning in English, and the wordplay was done for humorous effect.

The phrase may have origins from Great Britain during the Cold War, where posters in the London subway system warning citizens to "Be Alert" were allegedly defaced in a similar way.

Illustration of a red heart on a white background

The heart shape is a graphic symbol representing an expression of love. The use of the heart shape originated in the Middle Ages, though it wasn’t used to symbolize love until the 15th century. Today, it is frequently used on romantic items and to  indicate a specific love of something.

Red heart shaped button

This is one of many variations of a plain heart shape. The heart shape is a graphic symbol representing an expression of love. The use of the heart shape originated in the Middle Ages, though it wasn’t used to symbolize love until the 15th century. Today it is frequently used on romantic items, as well as on buttons to indicate a specific love of something. 

White bubble text on a red illustration of a heart with a smiley on it on a white background

The AMC Pacer is an automobile that was presented in 1975. The Pacer was short lived, with only six model years and around 280,000 units made. A Pacer Wagon was later created in 1977 but production ended for it in 1980. The Pacer is considered to be ahead of its time and a few still exist today. 

Black text on a red illustration of a heart on a black background

Written, sung, and produced by Greg Perry, “It Takes Heart” hit #53 on the R&B Charts when it was released as a single in 1982. “It Takes Heart” is an example of the Northern Soul sub-genre of R&B and found success both in the United States and the United Kingdom. Perry was a prolific songwriter and producer for the Detroit-based Holland-Dozier-Holland Invictus/Hot Wax record label created by former Motown Records producers. As a solo artist Perry released two albums with four singles that landed in the top 100 of the R&B Chart.

White text on a black background and over an illustration of an American flag in the shape of a heart

 The United States flag is symbolic of freedom, courage, and strength. The first official flag of the United States was the Stars and Stripes, featuring thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue background. Sometimes referred to as the "Betsy Ross" flag, the Continental Congress approved its design on June 14, 1777.  On May 1, 1795, the second Flag Resolution mandated new stars and stripes be added when new states were admitted to the Union. The third and last Flag Resolution of 1818 declared the number of stripes would remain thirteen, but the number of stars would always match the number of states. The Resolution stated that these updates were to be made on the Fourth of July. The text here—combined with a heart filled with the United States flag—expresses a love for the United States, pride in the flag, and suggests it is to be kept close to one's heart.