Pins & Buttons

Collage of photos and objects related to women's service during World War One

Much like the use of military insignia to identify its wearer by association with an organization and his/her achievements, the pins and buttons in this section were meant to be worn by Americans on the home front during World War I to show their membership in an organization and/or their contribution to a particular war effort, such as the United War Work Campaign. The pins and buttons displayed the wearer's patriotism and generosity and undoubtedly also served to prompt others to become involved in the various war efforts.  Women were heavily involved in the organizations and war efforts with which these objects are associated.

The pins and buttons showcased in this section are from the Division of Medicine and Science’s collection of celluloid objects, donated by two enthusiastic celluloid collectors. Celluloid is a thin, highly flammable plastic first created in 1856 by Alexander Parkes, although not patented as "celluloid" until 1869 under the auspices of inventor John Wesley Hyatt. It was widely used as film for movies and photography up through the 1950s. Celluloid was an excellent material for making jewelry, particularly because it was much cheaper to manufacture and could imitate finer materials like ivory. Other items once made with celluloid include—but are by no means limited to—postcards, game pieces, knitting needles, toys, and matchbox covers, two of which are also included in this section. Today celluloid is still used in the production of ping pong balls and guitar picks.

 

Further Resources

"One word: plastics," O Say Can You See? Stories from the National Museum of American History (blog), July 22, 2011.

The Plastics Collection, Syracuse University Libraries.

Search term: *:* Resource Type: Pins (fasteners) Clear All

Fatherless Children of France

Pin for the Fatherless Children of France Society. The group was established to unite French orphans with American "godparents" through charitable giving. On the front is an image of a woman standing behind two children, against a green background.
Description (Brief)
Pin for the Fatherless Children of France Society. The group was established to unite French orphans with American "godparents" through charitable giving. On the front is an image of a woman standing behind two children, against a green background. Green print on reverse reads, "10 cents a day // $3.00 a month // $36.50 a year saves a child for France." Mrs. Walter S. Brewster is listed as the chairman.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1915-1920
maker
Whitehead & Hoag Company
ID Number
2006.0098.0130
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0130

United War Work Campaign Pin

Straight pin-back United War Work Campaign pin. The pin is a flat, white square with a blue circle.
Description (Brief)
Straight pin-back United War Work Campaign pin. The pin is a flat, white square with a blue circle. Text in the circle says “United War Work Campaign.” Within the circle is a red shield that says “For The Boys Over There.”
The United War Work Campaign was a joint effort undertaken by seven voluntary organizations active during World War I: the National War Work Council of the YMCA, the War Work Council of the YWCA, the National Catholic War Council (Knights of Columbus), the Jewish Welfare Board, the War Camp Community Service, the American Library Association, and the Salvation Army. The aim of the campaign was for these seven organizations to raise at least $170,500,000 in subscriptions and pledges during the week of November 11–18, 1918, to help boost American soldiers’ morale and provide them with recreational activities.
Much like the use of military insignia to identify its wearer (by association with an organization) and his/her achievements, these pins and buttons were meant to be worn by Americans on the home front during World War I to show their membership in an organization and/or their contribution to a particular war effort, such as the United War Work Campaign. The pins and buttons displayed the wearer’s patriotism and generosity and undoubtedly also served to prompt others to become similarly involved in the various war efforts.
SOURCE:
“United War Work Campaign,” Committee on Public Information, Bulletin 42, 1918.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
maker
Whitehead & Hoag Company
ID Number
2006.0098.0255
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0255

United War Work Campaign Pin

Straight pin-back United War Work Campaign pin. The pin is a flat, blue rectangle with white print that reads “United War Work Campaign.” Within the rectangle is a white square with a red shield.
Description (Brief)
Straight pin-back United War Work Campaign pin. The pin is a flat, blue rectangle with white print that reads “United War Work Campaign.” Within the rectangle is a white square with a red shield. The shield has white text that reads “For The Boys Over There.”
The United War Work Campaign was a joint effort undertaken by seven voluntary organizations active during World War I: the National War Work Council of the YMCA, the War Work Council of the YWCA, the National Catholic War Council (Knights of Columbus), the Jewish Welfare Board, the War Camp Community Service, the American Library Association, and the Salvation Army. The aim of the campaign was for these seven organizations to raise at least $170,500,000 in subscriptions and pledges during the week of November 11–18, 1918, to help boost American soldiers’ morale and provide them with recreational activities.
Much like the use of military insignia to identify its wearer (by association with an organization) and his/her achievements, these pins and buttons were meant to be worn by Americans on the home front during World War I to show their membership in an organization and/or their contribution to a particular war effort, such as the United War Work Campaign. The pins and buttons displayed the wearer’s patriotism and generosity and undoubtedly also served to prompt others to become similarly involved in the various war efforts.
SOURCE:
“United War Work Campaign,” Committee on Public Information, Bulletin 42, 1918.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1914-1918
maker
Whitehead & Hoag Company
ID Number
2006.0098.0256
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0256

2nd War Fund Pin

Clip-on pin for the Second Red Cross War Fund. The pin is a white rectangle with a blue border. A red cross is in the center of the pin. Blue print reads “2nd War Fund.”The American Red Cross was one of the major organizations that conducted relief work during World War I.
Description (Brief)
Clip-on pin for the Second Red Cross War Fund. The pin is a white rectangle with a blue border. A red cross is in the center of the pin. Blue print reads “2nd War Fund.”
The American Red Cross was one of the major organizations that conducted relief work during World War I. The Second Red Cross War Drive occurred from May 20–27, 1918, in an effort to raise at least $100,000,000 for the support of the organization’s work.
Much like the use of military insignia to identify its wearer (by association with an organization) and his/her achievements, these pins and buttons were meant to be worn by Americans on the home front during World War I to show their membership in an organization and/or their contribution to a particular war effort, such as the United War Work Campaign. The pins and buttons displayed the wearer’s patriotism and generosity and undoubtedly also served to prompt others to become similarly involved in the various war efforts.
SOURCE:
The Work of the American Red Cross During the War: A Statement of Finances and Accomplishments for the Period July 1, 1917, to February 28, 1919 (Washington, D.C.: American Red Cross, 1919), 16–19. archive.org/stream/cu31924027870777.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
ID Number
2006.0098.0257
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0257

2nd War Fund Pin

Clip-on pin for the Second Red Cross War Fund. The pin is a white rectangle with a dark blue border. A red cross is in the center of the pin.
Description (Brief)
Clip-on pin for the Second Red Cross War Fund. The pin is a white rectangle with a dark blue border. A red cross is in the center of the pin. Dark blue print reads “2nd War Fund.”
The American Red Cross was one of the major organizations that conducted relief work during World War I. The Second Red Cross War Drive occurred from May 20–27, 1918, in an effort to raise at least $100,000,000 for the support of the organization’s work.
Much like the use of military insignia to identify its wearer (by association with an organization) and his/her achievements, these pins and buttons were meant to be worn by Americans on the home front during World War I to show their membership in an organization and/or their contribution to a particular war effort, such as the United War Work Campaign. The pins and buttons displayed the wearer’s patriotism and generosity and undoubtedly also served to prompt others to become similarly involved in the various war efforts.
SOURCE:
The Work of the American Red Cross During the War: A Statement of Finances and Accomplishments for the Period July 1, 1917, to February 28, 1919 (Washington, D.C.: American Red Cross, 1919), 16–19. archive.org/stream/cu31924027870777.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
ID Number
2006.0098.0258
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0258

United War Work Campaign Pin

Straight pin-back United War Work Campaign pin. The pin is a flat red, white, and blue rectangle.
Description (Brief)
Straight pin-back United War Work Campaign pin. The pin is a flat red, white, and blue rectangle. White text in the red portion reads “I Gave For The Boys.” Blue text in the white portion reads “Did You?” White text in the blue portion reads “United War Work Campaign.”
The United War Work Campaign was a joint effort undertaken by seven voluntary organizations active during World War I: the National War Work Council of the YMCA, the War Work Council of the YWCA, the National Catholic War Council (Knights of Columbus), the Jewish Welfare Board, the War Camp Community Service, the American Library Association, and the Salvation Army. The aim of the campaign was for these seven organizations to raise at least $170,500,000 in subscriptions and pledges during the week of November 11–18, 1918, to help boost American soldiers’ morale and provide them with recreational activities.
Much like the use of military insignia to identify its wearer (by association with an organization) and his/her achievements, these pins and buttons were meant to be worn by Americans on the home front during World War I to show their membership in an organization and/or their contribution to a particular war effort, such as the United War Work Campaign. The pins and buttons displayed the wearer’s patriotism and generosity and undoubtedly also served to prompt others to become similarly involved in the various war efforts.
SOURCE:
“United War Work Campaign,” Committee on Public Information, Bulletin 42, 1918.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
maker
Whitehead & Hoag Company
ID Number
2006.0098.0261
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0261

(Red Cross) Is You & I With Every (Heart) And (Dollar) Pin

Pin shaped like a flag. The flag is brown with white print and red symbols.
Description (Brief)
Pin shaped like a flag. The flag is brown with white print and red symbols. Symbols and text read “(Red Cross) Is You & I With Every (Heart) And (Dollar).”
The American Red Cross was one of the major organizations that conducted relief work during World War I.
Much like the use of military insignia to identify its wearer (by association with an organization) and his/her achievements, these pins and buttons were meant to be worn by Americans on the home front during World War I to show their membership in an organization and/or their contribution to a particular war effort, such as the United War Work Campaign. The pins and buttons displayed the wearer’s patriotism and generosity and undoubtedly also served to prompt others to become similarly involved in the various war efforts.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
maker
Manee Company
ID Number
2006.0098.0394
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0394

Always Victorious Stand Behind Old Glory Pin

Always Victorious; Stand Behind Old Glory.
Description (Brief)
Always Victorious; Stand Behind Old Glory. Clip-on pin shaped like a red, white, and blue bowtie.
“Let’s Stand Behind ‘Old Glory’” was a popular song during World War I that was written by Branch Cowell.
Much like the use of military insignia to identify its wearer (by association with an organization) and his/her achievements, these pins and buttons were meant to be worn by Americans on the home front during World War I to show their membership in an organization and/or their contribution to a particular war effort, such as the United War Work Campaign. The pins and buttons displayed the wearer’s patriotism and generosity and undoubtedly also served to prompt others to become similarly involved in the various war efforts.
SOURCE:
Library of Congress: loc.gov/item/2013562553.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-1919
ID Number
2006.0098.0315
accession number
2006.0098
catalog number
2006.0098.0315

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