Compass nestled between blue text over yellowed background. 

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BG Sandwich Shop logo, which consists of a green and orange shield with the letters "B G" and an orange circle with black text, encircled by orange and green borders over a black background. 

B/G Sandwich Shops were a nationwide chain with first references found in 1920, as the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce welcomed its new members, including B/G Sandwich Shops, with the description, "Located at 1022 Market St. – ‘A meal a minute.’ This company operates attractive sandwich shops in forty cities, the chain extending from California to New York.”

B/G Sandwich Shops operated at least into the 1950s, and although it is unknown how many shops were part of the chain at its peak, branches did seem to stretch across the country, keeping up with the business’s advertising that called itself “A National Institution.”

Beethoven, the dog, looks guilty under the dinner table while his family looks bewildered that he stole part of their turkey. Black and red text over the image. 

"Beethoven" was a popular movie that was released in 1992. The titled character is the Newton's family St. Bernard. The puppy was stolen by two thieves who were hired by a criminal veterinarian, Dr. Varnick who experimented on animals. The puppy escaped from the thieves and hid in the Newton's youngest daughter's room. The puppy was given its name when the younger daughter, Emily played the intro of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, and the puppy barked along. The workaholic father, George hated Beethoven, but the rest of the family grew attached to the dog. When Beethoven was stolen again, the family saved their pet and other dogs. They revealed Dr. Varnick's true identity and were hailed as the heroes of the community.  

Compass nestled between black text and black border over yellowed background. 

Psalm 102:13 is a Bible verse written by King David. It describes how God has removed his sins as far as the East is from the West. The button was made available through the Central Bible and Book Store in Chicago, Illinois.

Mirrored center encircled by blue border and flanked by Andy Gump and his wife Min depicted in blue text over yellowed background. 

Andy Gump and his wife Min are comic strip characters envisioned by Chicago Tribune editor Joseph M. Patterson and developed and drawn by cartoonist Sidney Smith. Smith wrote The Gumps beginning in 1917. The Gumps depicted an ordinary family and its adventures. The strip became popular nationwide, spawning sheet music, toys, and animated cartoons. It was one of the first syndicated comic strips. In 1931, The Gumps became the first comic strip adapted into a radio show. Gus Edson took over writing the strip in late 1935, and it ceased publication in 1959.

Blue fabric button with red and white ribbons hanging from it. 

The Patriotic Order Sons of America was a prominent fraternal organization promoting American patriotism throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries. “Jewels of office,” as they were known, included red, white and blue ribbons as well as silver emblems, worn on members’ sashes as part of their official regalia. The Patriotic Order Sons of America leadership included a Master of Forms position, as noted on this button, when Camp #407 was established in Easton, Pennsylvania in 1889; Herman A. Miller was a lifelong member elected as Pennsylvania Master of Forms for the 1912-1913 election cycle. 

Mr. Miller went on to serve as the Patriotic Order Sons of America’s Pennsylvania State Vice President as well as President and eventually became Secretary for the national organization in 1919, serving until his death in 1939. As of June 2025, the Patriotic Order Sons of America continues to serve the state of Pennsylvania although they no longer operate at a national capacity.

Black and white photograph of Pat Nixon's face on blue and white background, with red text on the bottom with a white background.

Vice President Richard Nixon ran for President of the United States in the 1960 election against Senator John F. Kennedy. Nixon's wife, Pat, was featured prominently in the campaign. In fact, an entire advertising campaign was built around the slogan "Pat for First Lady." Nixon conceded the election to Kennedy, although the race was very close. There were allegations of voter fraud, and though Pat urged her husband to demand a recount of votes, Nixon declined. 

Jugate featuring John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson between white text over red, white, and blue background.

This button dates from the 1960 US Presidential campaign of Democrats John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) and Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973). At the time of the campaign, both Kennedy and Johnson were US Senators. Kennedy was from Massachusetts and Johnson was from Texas. They ran against the Republican candidates, Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994) and Henry Cabot Lodge (1902-1985). The race was close in the popular election, but Kennedy and Johnson received 303 of the 537 Electoral College votes; Nixon and Lodge received only 219. The 1960 US Presidential election may be remembered as the first election with live, televised candidate debates. Kennedy appeared cool and collected. Nixon, who had been ill and refused to wear television make-up, was fidgety and noticeably sweating.

Blue and red elephant silhouette accompanied by blue stars between red and blue text over cosmic holographic background. 

This button by the GOP Shoppe was part of the National Republican Party's platform to encourage voting Republican in US elections. Republicans were most likely attempting to cash-in on the the gains made during the 1994 midterm elections. The platform was mildly successful despite Democrat Bill Clinton's victory over Bob Dole in the 1996 US Presidential election.  Republicans gained three seats in the Senate, strengthening their majority, and held onto their majority in the House even after losing three seats.

A white button with photos of Earl Dodge and George Ormsby. Atop the photos is a American shield

This button is promoting Earl Dodge (1932-2007) and George Ormsby's (1916-2013) presidential bid for the Prohibition Party. Dodge was a lifelong member of the Prohibition Party. He served as the party chairman and represented the party in over 15 political campaigns. Ormsby, a long-time leader of the International Organization of Good Templars, served as the party's vice-presidential candidate in both 1988 and 1992.

The Prohibition Party was formed in the aftermath of the Civil War while the temperance movement was still young. The Party has participated in nearly every major United States election since it began, however it has had limited success in getting candidates elected.