Ferdinand Lassalle (1825-1864), killed in a duel, was a Socialist writer and politician who founded the General German Workers’ Association (ADAV) in 1863, the first German labor party which eventually became the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SDP). Earlier, Lassalle was a member of the Communist League but his politics were opposed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Karl Marx, like Lassalle also of Jewish origin, called him “The Jewish Nigger Lassalle” because of his “Jewish looks” and because Lassalle was prepared to strike a deal with the German government over workers’ rights. We’ve seen one other example of this brass pin on an original card with a pencil date of 1902. That realized $386 in Auction #181. The gorgeous Art Nouveau-styled frame has hand-applied colors on the flowers which accent it beautifully. At the center is a real photo without dot pattern of Lassalle. The pin is .75x1-7/16” stamped on the reverse “GES,” a German abbreviation meaning “Registered” or the equivalent of “Patented.” The pin is essentially Mint with gorgeous luster. Rare. From the Morry Greener Collection.