Button It Up—Political Buttons Featured at Eklund History Center

Posted on Sep 23, 2004 in categories Exhibits, Press Releases

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GLENCOE—Buttons are believed to have originated in the Indus Valley in Southeast Asia in about 2000 B.C., where they were strictly ornamental. In the 13th century A.D. buttons actually became used for the closure of clothes. But it was not until the advent of elections and political parties that “buttons” shed both their utilitarian and ornamental functions to become miniature billboards of political choice.

The Glencoe Historical Society is featuring an exhibit of election buttons at its Eklund History Center and Museum, 377 Park Avenue, Glencoe with a wide-ranging collection of buttons dating from 1896 (McKinley for President) to 2004. Due to the generosity of Historical Society board members John Carothers and Alice Glicksberg, and long-time supporter John Houde—all political button collectors—the society has a collection that illustrates the breadth of American history. It is on display now through November.

It was the advent of the technology to lithograph photos and words directly first on metal and later modern materials such as acetate and plastic, that made the distribution of buttons easy. For collectors, losers are often the “winners,” being the more valuable as they are harder to find. But it’s still fun to view all sorts of buttons, winners and losers alike. Jugate buttons—carrying the visages of two candidates—vary with single-faced buttons. Other so-called political “buttons” actually are metal rectangles with a toggle that folds over a lapel.

Some of the more interesting buttons in the Eklund Center collection are a 1936 Alf Landon button with yellow felt in an undulating circle around the brown metal center—symbolizing the sunflower of Gov. Landon’s home state of Kansas. An LBJ for president button made of plastic changes pictures depending on which way a viewer looks. And a “1864” Goldwater button was a negative button about the Senator from Arizona, making fun of his conservative views. And a small grouping shows the varied feelings about former president Richard Nixon—“Dump Nixon,” “I’m for Nixon,” and “I Like Ike and Dick.”

The Eklund Center is open 2-4 p.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of the month and by appointment. Phone 847.835.0040 and leave a message or visit us at www.GlencoeHistoricalSociety.org.

 

Comments

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  2. On October 5, 2004 4:31 PM, Nello Lucchesi said:

    For more information about the use of buttons in political campaigns, see the previous news item.