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.

Schuyler Colfax 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 and 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 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 Schuyler Colfax facing left. The legend reads: SCHUYLER COLFAX.
Reverse: The legend reads: LOYALTY SHALL GOVERN WHAT LOYALTY HAS PRESERVED.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1617
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1617

Woodrow Wilson Campaign Medal

This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1917. 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 1917. 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 Woodrow Wilson facing left. The legend reads: Woodrow Wilson/27th President/1913-1917/USA.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1917
depicted
Wilson, Woodrow
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1566
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1566

James Monroe 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 James Monroe facing right. Legend: 5TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A. / 1817 1825 / JAMES MONROE.
Reverse: "THE LAST COCKED HAT"/ "MONROE DOCTRINE"/ SOLDIER OF REVOLUTION MINISTER TO FRANCE GOVERNOR OF VIRIGINIA SECRETARY OF WAR SECRETARY OF STATE PURCHASED FLORIDA FROM SPAIN ERA OF GOOD FEELING.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
Monroe, James
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1275
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1275

Franklin Pierce 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 that 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 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 Franklin Pierce facing left. Legend: GENERAL. F. PIERCE.
Reverse: Plaque surrounded by four flags and an eagle perched on top. The plaque reads: OUR COUNTRY RIGHT OR WRONG. The legend around the rim reads: UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1852
depicted
Pierce, Franklin
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1213
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1213

Stephen 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, 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 badges.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of Stephen Douglas, labeled “Stephen A. Douglas.”
Reverse: Tintype photograph of Herschel Johnson, labeled “Herschel V. Johnson.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Douglas, Stephen A.
Johnson, Herschel V.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1080
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1080

Zachary Taylor Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1847. 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 1847. 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.
Obverse: Bust of Zachary Taylor facing forward. Legend reads: MAJOR ZACHARY TAYLOR/ HERO OF PALO ALTO, RESACA DE LA PALMA, MONTEREY AND BUENA VISTA. 1847.
Reverse: Eagle with shield carrying an olive branch and three arrows. Legend reads: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1847.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1847
depicted
Taylor, Zachary
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1215
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1215

Abraham Lincoln Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1872. 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 1872. 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: ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 1860. \
Reverse: The legend reads: FREEDOM NATIONAL SLAVERY SECTIONAL.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1872
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1209
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1209

William Henry Harrison Campaign Medal

This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1840. 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 1840. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines 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: WILLIAM H. HARRISON,THE HERO & STATESMAN.
Reverse: Image of a log cabin set into the woods with smoke rising from the chimney. Legend reads: CANDIDATE OF THE PEOPLE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1840
depicted
Harrison, William Henry
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1221
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1221

James Buchanan 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 commemorative tokens.
Obverse: Bust of James Buchanan facing right. Legend: 15TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A. 1857-1861/ JAMES BUCHANAN.
Reverse: Legend: "OLD BUCK"/ "OLD PUBLIC FUNCTIONARY"/ PRIVATE IN WAR OF 1812/ CONGRESSMAN/ UNITED STATES SENATOR/ SECRETARY OF STATE/ MINISTER OF ENGLAND/ TRIED TO AVERT CIVIL WAR BUT BELIEVED IN STATE RIGHTS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
Buchanan, James
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1262
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1262

Franklin D. Roosevelt Commemorative Token

This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the mid- 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 mid- 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 various consumer goods.
Obverse: Bust of Franklin D. Roosevelt facing left. Legend: 32ND PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1933-1945/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.
Reverse: "A NEW DEAL"/ "ONWARD AMERICA"/ ASST. SEC. OF THE NAVY. GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK WAS MADE PRESIDENT DURING A PERIOD OF GREAT ECONOMIC DEPRESSION BECAME THE FIRST U.S. PRESIDENT TO BE ELECTED FOR FOUR TERMS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 20th century
depicted
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1294
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1294

Martin Van Buren Commemorative Token

This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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. 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.
Obverse: Bust of Martin Van Buren facing right. Legend: 8TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1837-1841/ MARTEN VAN BUREN.
Reverse: “KING MARTIN THE FIRST"/” THE LITTLE MAGICIAN"/ U.S. SENATOR GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK MINISTER TO ENGLAND SECRETARY OF STATE VICE PRESIDENT REVOLUTIONIZED THE BANKING BUSINESS THE RED FOX IN POLITICS.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
Van Buren, Martin
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1278
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1278

Campaign Badge Frame

This presidential campaign badge housing was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in the 1860s. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign badge housing was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in the 1860s. 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 badge. This is an example of the brass housing that various tintype photographs could be inserted into to form a campaign badge.
Obverse: Legend reads: OUR CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT
Reverse: Legend reads: FOR VICE PRESIDENT.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1137
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1137

Zachary Taylor Commemorative Token

This token was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company 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. 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 buttons, daguerreotype mats, and political tokens.
Obverse: Bust of Zachary Taylor facing left. Legend: 12TH PRESIDENT, U.S.A./ 1849-1850/ ZACHARY TAYLOR.
Reverse: "OLD ZACH"/ "HERO OF MEXICAN WAR"/ ROUGH AND READY A SOLDIER IN WAR OF 1812 ALSO IN BLACK HAWK SEMINOLE AND MEXICAN WARS FORTY YEARS MILITARY SERVICE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
Taylor, Zachary
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1281
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1281

Bryan and Kern Presidential Campaign Luggage Tag

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this luggage tag around 1908. 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 1908. 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 luggage tag with the inscription: BRYAN/1908/KERN. William Jennings Bryan and John Kern unsuccessfully ran for President and Vice President on the Democratic ticket in 1908.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1908
referenced
Bryan, William Jennings
Kern, John W.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1238
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1238

Franklin Pierce 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 that 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 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. The medal is holed in the top so it could be worn.
Obverse: Bust of Franklin Pierce facing right. Legend reads: GEN FRANK PIERCE THE STATESMAN & SOLDIER.
Reverse: Legend reads: FOR PRESIDENT GEN. FRANK PIERCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, FOR VICE PRESIDENT WILLIAM R. KING OF ALABAMA.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1852
depicted
Pierce, Franklin
referenced
King, William Rufus Devane
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1146
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1146

Horatio Seymour 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 Horatio Seymour and Francis Blair facing right. The legend reads: H. SEYMOUR. F.P. BLAIR.
Reverse: The legend reads: NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES 1869-1873/ FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1869
depicted
Seymour, Horatio
Blair, Jr., Francis P.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1191
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1191

John A. Bell Campaign Badge

This presidential campaign badge 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 badge 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 is an important example of early American industrial manufacturing that adapted armory machines to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of John Bell, labeled John Bell, set into red cloth.
Reverse: Tintype photograph of Edward Everett, labeled Edward Everett, set into red cloth.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Bell, John
Everett, Edward
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1302
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1302

Abraham Lincoln Campaign Medal

This 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 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 buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Abraham Lincoln, facing right. The legend reads: ABRAHAM LINCOLN 1860.
Reverse: Legend reads: OUR POLICY IS EXPRESSLY THE POLICY OF THE MEN WHO MADE THE UNION NO MORE, NO LESS. Below, in smaller letters the words: JENSCH & MEYER, CHICAGO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1205
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1205

Abraham Lincoln Campaign Medal

This 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 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.
Obverse: Bust of Abraham Lincoln facing left. The legend reads: ABRAHAM LINCOLN REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT 1860.
Reverse: Legend: THE GREAT RAILSPLITTER OF THE WEST MUST & SHALL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT. The legend is surrounded by a rail fence with animals sitting on the rails.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1211
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1211

Schuyler Colfax 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: Bust of Schuyler Colfax facing forward. The legend reads: SCHUYLER COLFAX 1868
Reverse: Shield of the United States with a star above it that is wreathed by two laurel branches. The legend reads: LOYALTY SHALL GOVERN THE NATION.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1202
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1202

John C. Frémont Medal

This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1856. 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 1856. 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. John Frémont was the first Republican candidate for President in 1856.
Obverse: Bust of John C. Frémont facing left. Legend: J. C. FREMONT BORN JAN 21 1813.
Reverse: Open-winged eagle perched on a globe, reads “Our Country” around the top and 13 stars around the lower portion.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1856
depicted
Fremont, John Charles
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1148
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1148

Schuyler Colfax 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 and 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 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 Schuyler Colfax facing forward. The legend reads: SCHUYLER COLFAX/ 1868.
Reverse: Shield of the United States with a star at the top, surrounded by a wreath. The legend reads: LOYALTY SHALL GOVERN THE NATION.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1568
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1568

George Washington Commemorative Token

This commemorative coin was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in the 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This commemorative coin was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in the 19th century. 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 George Washington facing left. The legend reads: GEORGE WASHINGTON BORN 1732 DIED 1799.
Reverse: Bust of George Washington facing left. The legend reads: GEORGE WASHINGTON BORN 1732 DIED 1799.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
depicted
Washington, George
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1162
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1162

Taft and Sherman Campaign Luggage Tag

The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this luggage tag around 1908. 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 1908. 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 luggage tag with the inscription: TAFT/1908/SHERMAN. William Taft and James Sherman were elected President and Vice President in 1908.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1908
referenced
Taft, William H.
Sherman, James Schoolcraft
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1237
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1237

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