Black text on a cream colored background with small black illustrated flowers on either side of the rim. In the center is an illustration of star shaped purple flowers with red centers and green stems and foliage. 

“National Flower Day” is an Australian holiday that takes place on September 14th.  This particular button likely comes from 1951’s National Flower Day, for which a parade was organized by the Silver Chain District to take place in the city of Perth.

Blue text on an off-white background

In August of 1903, Mr. D.M. Smith was elected as a book agent for the Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, Tennessee with Reverend Lamar, an Alabama Minister, as his assistant. Together they formed Smith & Lamar. They would publish 10 books with the M.E. Publishing House from 1903-1919, including the 1909 book Dreams and Realities by Lula Belle Corpier. 

It should be noted that no primary source connects Smith & Lamar to the 1917 Long Beach Assembly; however, Smith & Lamar is the only professional company active during 1917 with this name.  

The 1917 Long Beach Assembly was likely held in Long Beach, Mississippi. 

Black text on a white background with a black and white illustration in the center of a burro loaded with supplies

The phrase "Rocky Mountain Canary" came about as a reference to the loud brays made by burros—also known as donkeys—that were used by early prospectors in the American West to transport supplies and equipment. As the mining industry changed and declined over the course of the early twentieth century, burros began to be used in the timber industry. In addition, the sport of burro racing was developed in the 1930s as a way to help find a use for the over-populated animal. Burro races continue to be held: as of 2023, the Western Pack Burro Association holds races in five Colorado towns with mining histories during the summer season.   

Black text on a white background with a greyscale illustration of a boy with exaggerated features wearing a beanie and sash, both with lightening bolts. 

Steffen’s ice cream was sold in Wichita, Kansas. Nicholas Steffen established Steffen Bakery and Restaurant in 1882, the same year he arrived in Wichita. He partnered with W.H. Bretch to form the Steffen-Bretch Ice and Ice Cream Company in 1899. Steffen’s was purchased by Hiland Dairy in 1991, though the labels stayed combined until 1993 because the community was so loyal to Steffen’s brand. Community members not only knew their milkmen, but the close relationships with the people delivering their milk led to a loyalty to the dairies it came from. Hiland Dairy operates out of the Steffen’s milk processing plant to this day, producing upwards of 1,350,000 gallons of milk every month. 

The character on the button is a puppet named Sparkie, from the children's radio show Big Jon and Sparkie. The radio show ran from 1950-1958 and centered around Sparkie, an "elf from the land of make-believe" who acts just like a real boy.

The Sparkie Club was a sponsorship and merchandising program related to the show. It involved companies paying for special promotions relating to the show so fans could mail in proof of purchase (for example, ten milk bottle caps or milk carton lids) to get a specifically branded Sparkie Club Button. Steffen's specifically is known as the most profitable campaign of its time. After their sponsorship went live in 1952, they sent out 15,000 buttons from 150,000 proofs of purchase. All the efforts accumulated $250,000, an astonishing amount for the time, especially from a kid's show advertisement.

Click here or here to find other Sparkie Club buttons. 

Color illustrations split the button into two halves: a man in a suit with curly brown hair on the left and a ship at sea on the right. Light brown rim with brown text on yellow banners on the top and bottom. 

The Hudson-Fulton Celebration was a two week-long event that occurred in late 1909 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the discovery of the Hudson River, as well as the 100th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s invention of the steamboat.  It took place along the Hudson River in New York, and many towns participated.

Black and white photograph on a blue background of a young girl wearing a pinafore and cap holding up an food item in each hand with white text above the photograph

Junket Desserts was founded in Denmark in 1874 by Christian Hansen, a chemist fascinated by the possibilities of rennet. In developing an American market, the company focused on the ability of rennet to make junket, a type of custard. In the early 20th century, Junket Desserts developed the character of Little Miss Junket. The little girl was shown holding delicious treats and urged consumers to "Have Some Junket!" She featured heavily in the company's advertising materials, including recipe books, magazines, and World Fair souvenirs.

Black text and rim on a gold background

The Uncle Gee Bee Kiddie Hour was a children's program that aired on WGBS, an early radio station started in 1924 to serve New York. WGBS originally broadcast from the Gimbels Department Store in Herald Square. The Kiddie Hour consisted of performers reading poems and stories and singing numbers including "Uncle Geebee's Kiddie Club Song." 

Blue text around the rim on a white background with a black, white, and blue illustration of a bird emerging from a flame-topped crest. 

Founded in 1955, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA) is a non-government not-for-profit mental health Organization (NGO). PRA is one of the longest established mental health NGO's in Australia, and it is also Australia's largest non-government service provider for and employer of people with psychiatric disabilities. Their mission is people-centric, focused on providing opportunities for those living with psychiatric disabilities to be part of the community. The PRA provides a range of services such as supported businesses and employment to psychosocial programs including: supported accommodation, walk-in centers and services for people with a mental illness. 

Red text on a white background with a red illustration of a young person on a bicycle, their left-hand outstretched as if having just thrown a newspaper; a dog is pictured running by the front wheel of the bicycle.

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Black text on a green background around the rim. An illustration of three green conifer trees with green text on a white background in the center. 

T.C.L. stands for “Tall Cedars of Lebanon” an organization of freemasons that conferred degrees in freemasonry first in North America and then internationally. Often having an aura of the mysterious, freemasons are the longest running fraternal organization in the world and has counted numerous figures from politics and industry as members. Originally an organization of builders and stonemasons, the organization now focuses on intellectual and charity pursuits. The North American branch formed in 1902 in New Jersey, and hosted events including orchestra performances, plays, and dances.