TWO OF THE EARLIEST BUTTONS WITH REAL PHOTOS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS FROM 1898.
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Winning Bid:
$115.00
(Includes 15% Buyer's Premium)
Bidding Ended:
Tuesday, July 12, 2016 10:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Tuesday, July 12, 2016 10:00:00 PM)
Item Description
These 1.25" buttons are from 1898 and both have back paper naming issuer as American Pepsin Gum Company and button maker W&H. These were give-away buttons from Cameo Pepsin Gum and are two of the earliest buttons depicting real photos of African-Americans, each showing a young boy. We know of only one earlier 1897 button picturing an African-American boxer, unidentified, but thought to be Bob Armstrong. On the first showing seated and singing banjo player the text above reads "Who Said Trouble". On the second the boy wears a military-style uniform with a chest medal as he poses with baton or walking stick tucked under one arm. On close inspection, the word "GUM" can be seen on his hat with partial "Cameo" lettering above. This back paper has small center loss and bit of penciling. Both buttons are otherwise with high gloss and NM, displaying Mint. Both buttons are historic and rare.
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