Hairy Belly Button

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Image Description

Photo of a hairy belly button.

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Whether an 'innie' or an 'outie', everybody has got one. The way artists have seen bellies, and belly buttons, has changed over the course of history.

Sources

Ribeiro, A., Scott, M., Granger-Taylor, H., Harris, J., Bridgeman, J., Marly, D., & Gawne, E.  Dress. Grove Art Online. Retrieved 18 Mar. 2023, from https://www-oxfordartonline-com.ezproxy3.library.arizona.edu/groveart/v….

Catalog ID AR0129

Nixon For President with Ribbon

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Text on Button NIXON FOR PRESIDENT
Image Description

Black and white text on blue and white backgrounds with red and white vertical curved stripes around the center rim. Red, white, and purple ribbons along with an white elephant fob attached to the bottom of the button.

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Richard M. Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, from 1969-1974. Born in 1913, Nixon began a distinguished law career before becoming a Navy Lieutenant during WWII. After his service, he was elected as a Senator from California, and two years later he became Vice President under Eisenhower. He narrowly lost to Kennedy in the 1960 Presidential election, but succeeded in 1968. 

Nixon’s Presidency was initially characterized as a time of peace. He ended the Vietnam War, improved relations with the Soviet Union and China, and brokered agreements in the Middle East. However, his Presidency became marred due to the Watergate Scandal, in which his party members broke into the Democratic National Committee offices. Although denying personal involvement, Nixon was caught trying to impede investigations. Facing impeachment, he decided to resign, becoming the only President to do so. 

Sources
Catalog ID PO1234

Los Angeles County Fair Pomona 1938

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Text on Button LOS ANGELES COUNTY FAIR POMONA, CALIF. SEPT 6-OCT. 2 1938
Image Description

Blue text on a yellow background. A blue and red ribbon with a brass fob is attached to the bottom of the button.

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The Los Angeles County Fair is among the largest fairs in the United States. Main attractions include amusement rides, agricultural exhibits, and horse racing. It was first held in 1922 and featured chariot racing competitions and an airplane stunt exhibition. Despite the Great Depression casting a shadow over the 1930s, the Fair underwent expansion. In 1937, under the directive of the Works Progress Administration, new buildings were constructed such as a fine arts building and a cafeteria. 

In 1942 the Fair would close for the next six years due to WWII. However, the fairgrounds would play a vital role in the war effort. Over 5,000 Japanese-Americans were temporarily held there before being relocated to internment camps. The grounds also housed German and Italian prisoners-of-war. In 1948 the Fair was reopened with new construction initiatives such as an agricultural pavilion. Since its reopening, the Fair has attracted over one million visitors almost every year. 

Sources
Catalog ID IN0136

Souvenir of State Fair Springfield Illinois

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Text on Button SOUVENIR OF STATE FAIR SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS
Image Description

Dark blue text on a white background. A brown and purple ribbon with a horse and horseshoe charm attached to the bottom of the button.

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The Illinois State Fair was first held in Springfield in 1853 to promote state agriculture, industry, education, and arts and sciences. The Fair attracted 20,000 people, and was praised for its family-centered activities. The next year, the Fair hosted a debate between Senator Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln on the topic of slavery. In subsequent years, the Fair would move around to 12 different Illinois cities before returning back to its permanent Springfield home in 1894. 

The Fair currently runs 11 days across its 366 acres, and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. It features entertainment such as harness racing and concerts, attractions such as the Butter Cow sculpture and a robotic dinosaur exhibition, and competitions such as a LEGO building contest. 

Sources
Catalog ID IN0135

Iowa State Fair Des Moines with Covered Wagon

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Text on Button IOWA STATE FAIR DES MOINES
Image Description

Multi-colored illustration of a covered wagon on a typical midwestern prairie with black lettering on top of the illustration. A red and white ribbon with a lapel bar and rodeo rider charm is attached to the bottom of the button.

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The Iowa State Fair is the largest event in the state of Iowa and is among both the oldest and largest fairs in the country. Annually attracting more than a million visitors from around the world, the Fair showcases Iowa’s best in agriculture, industry, and entertainment. Its attractions include amusement rides, hands-on farm exhibits, concerts, and a wide variety of food vendors. 

The first Fair occurred in 1854, and was managed by the newly created Iowa State Agricultural Society. The six-acre grounds hosted a number of sheds and pens for animals, a 1,500-foot track, and plenty of entertainment. Among the most notable was a women’s horseback riding competition. The Fair was a huge hit, attracting around 8,000 visitors. Families would travel by covered wagon and would camp outside the perimeters. The Fair’s location would move each year, until finding its permanent home in Des Moines in 1879. 

Sources

Iowa State Fair. (n.d.). Iowa State Fair history. https://www.iowastatefair.org/about/history-museum

Catalog ID IN0134

Wisconsin State Fair Milwaukee

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Text on Button WISCONSIN STATE FAIR MILWAUKEE, WISC.
Image Description

Multi-colored illustration of animals and fair activities ringed by black text on a white background plus black text on a panel in the center on top of the illustration. A red, white, and blue ribbon is attached to the bottom of the button.

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The Wisconsin State Fair is an annual event celebrating Wisconsin’s rich history and industries. Founded in 1851, the Fair originally traveled to different cities every year, but found its permanent home in Milwaukee in 1892. It attracts over a million visitors during its 11-day summer run.  

The Fair especially promotes the importance of Wisconsin's agriculture, and showcases educational programs about topics like renewable energy and animal husbandry. Other attractions include musical performances, large shopping centers, and amusement rides. One of its most notable rides is the Sky Glider, which offers a bird’s eye view of the surroundings. The Fair also takes pride in its food and beverage, and is home to the Original Cream Puff, which it has been selling since 1924. 

Sources

Wisconsin State Fair. (n.d). About Wisconsin State Fair. https://wistatefair.com/fair/about-wisconsin-state-fair/

Catalog ID IN0133

The Art of Back Papers

While many focus on the front of the button, some manufacturers were paying careful attention to what goes on the back. At the turn of the 20th century, the verso of the button might contain an image or maybe a logo, text about the manufacturer, or advertisements for other products. These images on the reverse are known as back papers.


Submitted by rachelesser on

Freihofers Code Cop

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Text on Button POLICED FOR FRESHNESS by Freihofer's CODE COP
Image Description

Illustration of a person in a baker's hat and apron and a blue police uniform top holding a loaf of bread and a stick on a red circle background surrounded by an outer white background with blue and red text on it.

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Freihofer bread was inspected and guaranteed for freshness by their mascot, the Code Cop. Charles Freihofer's Bread Company was started in Troy, New York in 1913.  When Charles Freihofer opened the business, residents of Troy found free loaves of bread at their door steps for four days.  On the fifth day, customer could either decide to have bread delivered to their home via horse and wagon for five cents per loaf or discontinue the service.  The company specialized in pan bread, or French bread, and white loaves.  Freihofer used horse and wagon delivery until the early 1960's.  The company guaranteed freshness and that all products had been inspected to cover the guarantee.

Catalog ID AD0959

We > Me

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Text on Button We > Me 07.28.18
Image Description

Black text with black and white photograph and line drawing composites of a man and a woman; the woman is holding an illustrated purple bouquet of flowers.

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Have info on this button? Contact us here.

Catalog ID EV0947