Government, Politics, and Reform

March on Washington Handbill

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln are all represented in the Museum's collections—by a surveying compass, a lap desk, and a top hat, among other artifacts. But the roughly 100,000 objects in this collection reach beyond the possessions of statesmen to touch the broader political life of the nation—in election campaigns, the women's suffrage movement, labor activity, civil rights, and many other areas. Campaign objects make up much of the collection, including posters, novelties, ballots, voting machines, and many others. A second group includes general political history artifacts, such as first ladies' clothing and accessories, diplomatic materials, ceremonial objects, national symbols, and paintings and sculptures of political figures. The third main area focuses on artifacts related to political reform movements, from labor unions to antiwar groups.

Place: United States

Roosevelt and Fairbanks Campaign Luggage Tag

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this luggage tag around 1904. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this luggage tag around 1904. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
This Presidential campaign novelty is a shield-shaped luggage tag that bears the inscription “ROOSEVELT AND FAIRBANKS.” Theodore Roosevelt and Charles Fairbanks were elected President and Vice President in 1904 on the Republican ticket.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1904
referenced
Roosevelt, Theodore
Fairbanks, Charles Warren
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1593
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1593

William Henry Harrison Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1841. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1841. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals. This medal’s hole indicates it was worn
Obverse: Bust of William Henry Harrison facing left. Legend: MAJ. GEN. W.H. HARRISON/BORN FEB 9, 1773.
Reverse: Log cabin with American flag, and barrel of hard cider. Legend: THE PEOPLES CHOICE/THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1841
depicted
Harrison, William Henry
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1255
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1255

Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing left. The legend reads: GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
Reverse: A legend that reads: THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IS THE LAW OF THE LAND.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1087
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1087

Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Badge

This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of Ulysses Grant and Schuyler Colfax set into a frame. Frame has image of United States shield, two flags crossed, and a spread winged eagle.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1258
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1258

Stephen A. Douglas Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including campaign medals. This medal reads “Merriam,” for mid-19th century Boston die caster Joseph H. Merriam.
Obverse: Bust of Stephen A. Douglas facing left. Legend reads: STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS/ BORN APRIL 23, 1813.
Reverse: Two laurel branches with bow at bottom. Legend reads: DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE/ UNION AND EQUALITY 1860.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Douglas, Stephen A.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1118
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1118

Abraham Lincoln Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods.
Obverse: Labeled busts of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson facing each other. Busts are surrounded by four flags, a shield on the bottom reads “War for the Union,” a eagle is perched at the top with a scroll that reads “FREEDOM TO ALL MEN.”
Reverse: REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES 1864/ FOR PRESIDENT/ ABRAHAM LINCOLN OF ILLINOIS/ FOR VICE PRESIDENT/ ANDREW JOHNSON OF TENNESSEE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
Johnson, Andrew
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1297
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1297

Abraham Lincoln Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Abraham Lincoln facing right. The legend reads: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Reverse: Crossed rails in the center. The legend reads: THE PEOPLES CHOICE 1860/ LINCOLN & HAMLIN/ FREEDOM & PROTECTION.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
referenced
Hamlin, Hannibal
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1613
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1613

Presidential Campaign Luggage Tag

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this luggage tag around 1904. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this luggage tag around 1904. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
This Presidential campaign novelty is a shield-shaped luggage tag that bears the inscription “ROOSEVELT AND FAIRBANKS.” Theodore Roosevelt and Charles Fairbanks were elected President and Vice President in 1904.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1904
referenced
Roosevelt, Theodore
Fairbanks, Charles Warren
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1241
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1241

Horatio Seymour Campaign Medal

This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Busts of Horatio Seymour and Francis P. Blair, Jr. facing left. The legend reads: SEYMOUR & BLAIR 1868.
Reverse: The rim has a wreath around it, the legend reads: GENERAL AMNESTY, UNIFORM CURRENCY, EQUAL TAXES & EQUAL RIGHTS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
depicted
Seymour, Horatio
Blair, Jr., Francis P.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1147
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1147

Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Badge

This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company around 1868.The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company around 1868.The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
This badge has a tintype photograph of both Ulysses Grant and Schuyler Colfax that is labeled above their heads, “GRANT and COLFAX.” The photo is set into a circular frame with a pink background, and the frame is set into a six-sided star.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1179
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1179

Woodrow Wilson Commemorative Token

This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and political tokens.
Obverse: Bust of Woodrow Wilson facing left. Legend: 28TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1913-1921/ WOODROW WILSON.
Reverse:"THE PROFESSOR"/ WE DESIRE NO CONQUEST, NO DOMINION"/ GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSY PRESIDENT DURING WORLD WAR 1 SPONSORED FEDERAL RESERVE ACT REPRESENTED THE UNITED STATES AT VERSILLES PEACE CONFERENCE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
Wilson, Woodrow
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1293
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1293

Abraham Lincoln Campaign Medal

This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1860. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Abraham Lincoln facing right. The legend reads: HON: ABRAM LINCOLN 1860.
Reverse: Legend around rim reads: LINCOLN & HAMLIN FREEDOM & PROTECTION. Center legend reads: THE MAN THAT CAN SPLIT RAILS OR GUIDE THE SHIP OF STATE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
referenced
Hamlin, Hannibal
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1123
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1123

Nixon Presidential Campaign Pin

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Richard Nixon campaign pin in 1968. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this Richard Nixon campaign pin in 1968. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, and pins.
The circular white button bears the text “NIXON” in red and “AGNEW” in blue. The button has a pin on the back, allowing it to be worn. Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew successfully ran for President and Vice President on the Republican ticket in 1968.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1968
referenced
Nixon, Richard M.
Agnew, Spiro T.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1301
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1301

U.S. Grant Campaign Medal

This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1869. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1869. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Busts of Ulysses Grant and Schuyler Colfax facing right. The legend reads: U.S. GRANT S. COLFAX. The bust is signed: EMIL SIGEL FT.
Reverse: Legend reads: NATIONAL UNION REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES 1869-1873/FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1869
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1143
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1143

Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing right. The legend reads: GENERAL U. S. GRANT 1868.
Reverse: Bust of Schuyler Colfax facing left. The legend reads: SCHUYLER COLFAX 1868 (the 1868 is worn down).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1116
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1116

Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer, and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer, and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing forward with a legend that reads: GENERAL U. S. GRANT 1868.
Reverse: Bust of Schuyler Colfax facing forward, with a legend that reads: SCHUYLER COLFAX 1868.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1083
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1083

Winfield Scott Campaign Medal

This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1852.The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1852.The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Winfield Scott facing left. Legend reads: MAJOR GENL. WINFD. SCOTT.
Reverse: Fasces topped with a “Liberty Cap,” surrounded by six flags, with a plaque that reads: CHIPPEWA/LUNDY’s LANE/VERA CRUZ/& MEXICO. The legend reads: A GALLANT & SKILLFUL HERO. THE PEOPLES CHOICE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1852
depicted
Scott, Winfield
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1305
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1305

William Henry Harrison Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1841. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1841. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce various consumer goods including campaign medals. The medal has a hole in the top, allowing it to be worn.
Obverse: Bust of William Henry Harrison facing left. Legend: MAJ. GEN. W.H. HARRISON/BORN FEB 9, 1773.
Reverse: Log cabin with American flag, and barrel of hard cider. Legend: THE PEOPLES CHOICE/THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1841
depicted
Harrison, William Henry
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1249
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1249

Parker and Davis Campaign Luggage Tag

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this luggage tag around 1904. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this luggage tag around 1904. Scovill was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
This Presidential campaign novelty is a square-shaped tag with the inscription: PARKER/1904/DAVIS. Alton Parker and Henry Davis unsuccessfully ran on the Democratic ticket for President and Vice President in the 1904 election.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1904
referenced
Parker, Alton Brooks
Davis, Henry G.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1235
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1235

Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Badge

This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges. The tintype picture of Grant is hanging from the beak of an eagle. The eagle has a pin on its back so that it could be worn on an article of clothing.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of Ulysses S. Grant, labeled “GRANT” inside a shield-shaped frame.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1167
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1167

Ulysses S. Grant Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses Grant facing right. The legend reads: General U.S. Grant.
Reverse: Legend reads: GENERAL U.S. GRANT/REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT 1868.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1252
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1252

Andrew Jackson Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1828. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1828. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Andrew Jackson facing left. The legend reads: GENl ANDREW JACKSON.
Reverse: Two branches around the rim, the legend reads: THE NATION’S PRIDE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1828
depicted
Jackson, Andrew
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1189
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1189

William Harrison and Henry Clay Medal

This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1840. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1840. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of William Henry Harrison facing right. The legend reads: HONOR WHERE HONOR'S DUE TO THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE/ GEN WILLIAM H. HARRISON.
Reverse: Bust of Henry Clay facing left. The legend reads: HENRY CLAY/ THE FARMER OF ASHLAND/ BORN APRIL 12 1777.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1840
depicted
Harrison, William Henry
Clay, Henry
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1239
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1239

Henry Clay Button

This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1845. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1845. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Profile image of Henry Clay facing left. The legend reads: HENRY CLAY 1845.
Reverse: Illegible manufacturer’s stamp.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1845
depicted
Clay, Henry
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1201
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1201

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