L A Clarence

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Text on Button L A Clarence
Image Description

Dark blue image of winking bobcat wearing a bow tie. Yellow background with dark blue text and rim. 

Back Paper / Back Info

Union bug stamped on back. 

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Catalog ID CL0020

Katz Kitten Klub

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Text on Button MEMBER KATZ KITTEN KLUB
Image Description

Early-style Felix the Cat illustration. Black text on white background. 

Curl Text Parisian Nov Co. Chicago
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This 1930s button came with a membership card and was issued by a movie theater owner named Katz.

Sources

Movie Theater “Member Katz Kitten Club.” (2006). Retrieved from https://www.hakes.com/Auction/ItemDetail/18425/MOVIE-THEATER-MEMBER-KAT…

Catalog ID CL0012

The Joker In Blue Shirt

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Text on Button THE JOKER
Image Description

Illustration of the Joker in blue, black, red, and white above a red background. Text in white. 

Curl Text 1966 Creative HSE Chcgo 60641 ©N.P.P Inc. 1966
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The Joker was a fictional character from the DC comic book series,Batman. The Joker made his first appearance in the comic book's very fist issue in Spring 1940. Credit for the character's creation is often disputed, with Jerry Robinson, Bill Finger, and Bob Kane all receiving some or all of the credit. Although Kane and Robinson take credit for the design of the character, they acknowledge Finger's writing contribution. 
 
Throughout the comic book series and various film adaptations, the Joker is often portrayed as a master criminal with a genius intellect and sadistic sense of humor. Many observers have noted that the Joker and Batman's dynamic relationship parallels the concept of yin and yang. In numerous episodes, for instance, when Batman was able to kill the Joker, or vice versa, the former relented at the last moment. Without each other's arch nemesis, either one would lose their identity, thus bringing an end to this seemingly endless battle.

Catalog ID EN0051

Head Heart Hand

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Text on Button JH HHHHH
Image Description

Blue background with white star in middle. Star features an H on each of its five points and a JH in the middle above a scale. Outside of to the right, left and below the star there are a hand, heart and profile of a face. 

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This button may refer to the teaching philosophy of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi. His motto was “Learning by head, hand, and heart”. He was a Swiss education and social reformer and helped improve literacy in Switzerland in the 18th century. His belief that anyone can learn and everyone has a right to an education led to education becoming more democratic in Europe. His great influence is why he is considered to be the "Father of Modern Education".

Pestalozzi's philosophy was that education should develop one's powers of head, heart and mind and that this would create individuals who knew right from wrong and became responsible citizens.

Catalog ID CL0047

I've Joined

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Text on Button I'VE JOINED
Image Description

Black and white line drawing of a smiling man with a mustache on white background. Text in black. 

Back Paper / Back Info

Compliments of the Evening Bulletin

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The Philadelphia Bulletin was a daily evening newspaper published from 1847 to 1982 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was the largest circulation newspaper in Philadelphia for 76 years and was once the largest evening newspaper in the United States. It was widely known for its slogan: "In Philadelphia, nearly everybody reads The Bulletin."

Catalog ID CL0051

International Order Of Foresters

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Text on Button I.O.F.
Image Description

Color portrait of a gray-haired man in white tie formal wear. Off-white background. I.O.F. appears in black outlined in white on bottom half. Red, white, and blue ribbon encircles the portrait. 

Back Paper / Back Info

The Whitehead & Hoag Co. Newark, N.J. Patented July 17, 1894. April 14, 1896. July 21, 1896. Union bug: Allied Printing. 

Curl Text The Whitehead & Hoag Co. Newark, N.J.
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The International Order of Foresters was a fraternal organization established in 1874 as an offshoot of the Ancient Order of Foresters. 

Catalog ID CL0052

Independent Order Of Odd Fellows

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Text on Button INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS. FLT
Image Description

Three interlocked gold chain links containing the letters F, L, T on white background. Beneath the chain is a blue eye. Black text on upper edge. 

Back Paper / Back Info

American Pepsin Gum Co. Buttons made by the Whitehead & Hoag Co. Newark N.J. Patent July 17, '94 April 14, '96, July 21, 1896

Curl Text Pat. July 21, 1896
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The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was founded in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 26, 1819. The movement originated in Great Britain and was a response to the harsh conditions of the time. The Oddfellows came together under the common commitment to take care of one's fellow man and provide aid to those in need. They are also known as "The Three Link Fraternity" which stands for Friendship, Love and Truth, represented by the three gold chain links on the button. The back paper of this button was used as an advertisement for the American Pepsin Gum Co. 

This button was a give-away button from American Pepsin Gum Company. Many gum manufactures in the late 1800's used pepsin powder in their chewing gum and marketed it as a way to aid in digestion.  Pepsin was thought to settle stomach issues and help people with digestive concerns.  

Catalog ID CL0027

Quart A Day Club

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Text on Button MEMBER I Drink Milk QUART A DAY CLUB
Image Description

White text is centered betwen two horizonta lines with additional text on the upper and bottom edges on a blue background.

Back Paper / Back Info

Back is litho stamped: Local No. 4 Amalgamated lithographers of America. Chicago IL

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Around midcentury, milk was viewed as one of humankind's most important foods. Advertisers and scientists alike had convinced the public that milk was a supremely healthy, nourishing, even life-giving substance. Its almost mystical whiteness was, for perhaps the only time in its history, matched by its hygienic purity and popular appeal. 

An article that appeared in the Tribune-Republican of Greeley, Colorado in September of 1932 explained the need for raising funds for milk for needy families. Becoming a member in the “Quart A Day” club means that a person will contribute funds to reduce the cost of milk for needy families. As a result of the Depression many unemployed families were in need of nutrients and milk was a critical source of nutrients. The Greeley nurses also explained that as the winter season approached the milk situation would become more serious. “Quart A Day” club members could finance a half-gallon or two quarts of milk for 80 or 76 cents per month. Other organizations such as the Woman’s Club would continue to support undernourished school children.


Sources

"Milk in the Twentieth Century." Cambridge World History of Food. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.

Milk Fund. (1932, September). Tribune-Republican of Greeley, Colorado. 6.

Catalog ID CL0006

Hot Pants Club

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Text on Button I BELONG TO THE HOT PANTS CLUB
Image Description

Red text centered on white background.

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Categorized as "short shorts," hot pants commonly have an inseam length of 2 inches (50 mm) or less. These are short, tight shorts, usually made of cotton, nylon, or some other common material. They were popularized by fashion designer Mary Quant in London during the the mid 1960s. "Hot Pants (She Got to Use What She Got to Get What She Wants)" was also the title of a 1971 song by James Brown.

Catalog ID CL0004

Honorary Member

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Text on Button Honorary Member
Image Description

Ornate black text on white background. 

Back Paper / Back Info

Union bug embossed on back. 

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Catalog ID CL0021