Goldenrod background with black text. A metal clip holding a small fuse is centered. 

Whitehead and Hoag was founded in 1892 in Newark, New Jersey. The company is best known for obtaining the first patent on the pinback button, issued on July 21, 1896. At the turn of the century, they were one of the largest advertising firms in the world. In addition to buttons, they also produced badges, flags, calendars, banners, and other advertising novelties. Whitehead and Hoag produced vast quantities of political buttons for all parties. During World War II, the company produced badges worn by workers in war production plants. In 1959, Whitehead and Hoag Co. was sold to Bastian Brothers, a long time competitor. 

A red background with white text above and below a green cloud shape with yellow text inside of it.

The Diamond Crystal Salt Company was founded in 1866 in St. Clair County, Michigan under the name St. Clair Rock Salt Company.  The name was changed when the founders of the company, Charles F. and Franklin Moore, Justin Whiting, and Mark Hopkins discovered that a new purification process, known as the Alberger process, created a very pure and almost crystal-like salt product.

Gold-colored fabric with centered image of a cow in a darker, shiny gold tone. 

This button is unique due to the shiny, metallic image printed on the fabric-covered button. It may have been produced as an advertising product for Golden Guernsey's Dairy Company. 

Black and red illustration of a farm encircled in a red border with white text. White outer rim border with black text. 

Central States Seed Service, today called Central States Enterprises, is a grain storage and elevator business started by Eugene Kraus in 1947. It was formed through the acquisition of the Ackerman Seed Company in Lima, Ohio. Today the company is located in Lake City, Florida and serves as  feed and grain dealers for pet stores. 

Green felt bunny head with black googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose. 

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Brown text on tan background and tan text on brown border. 

This sharpening stone serves as an ad for SamcoLine promotional products. Samcoline began as Sanders Manufacturing, a promotional products business started by three brothers in 1919. The business was first run out of an old pillow factory in downtown Nashville. Some of their products included hand fans, toys, and presidential campaign buttons. Although the factory burned down in 1985, the company is still in business today. 

Greyscale photograph of Bing Crosby's head on yellow background. Black signature on left of image, text on lower portion of button under black horizontal line. 

This button celebrates and advertises Bing Crosby's Decca Record. It also serves as a vinyl record cleaner. 

Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby, Jr. (1903 – 1977) was an American singer and actor. He was famous for for his warm bass-baritone voice. Crosby had over half a billion records in circulation, and was one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century.

Grasch Radio & Appliance Co. is an established small record store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The store carried pop music upon its inception, possibly in the late 1950s and specialized in polkas and country music in the 80s. 

Blue background with black lettering and cut-out archway with photograph of Bastian Brothers employee.

Bastian Brothers Company opened in 1895 in Rochester, New York by brothers Theron Bastian and Frederick Bastian.  Originally a jewelry store, the company quickly began producing customized badges, paperweights, lapel pins, and award products. Bastian Brothers is a totally unionized firm.

Bastian Brothers employees wore these pins as their employee identification. There is a small window in the front of the button, behind which a photograph is placed. Note the interesting employee number "12345."

This button is mostly made of celluloid because of the metal rations during WW2. Only a grommet and the pin are made of metal.

White background with black text. Circular window to place a photo. This particular photo is Theron Bastian, of one of the founders of Bastian Brothers.

Bastian Brothers Company opened in 1895 in Rochester, New York by brothers Theron Bastian and Frederick Bastian.  Originally a jewelry store, the company quickly began producing customized badges, paperweights, lapel pins, and award products. Bastian Brothers is a totally unionized firm. Bastian Brothers employees wore these pins as their employee identification. There is a small window in the front of the button, behind which a photograph is placed. 

Photograph of woman wearing a photo button of a boy on her collar.

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