2.5” tall beautifully crafted stickpin features a horseshoe shape inlaid with 7 small seed pearls. Upper edge of horseshoe has hand-engraved initials “FH.” Center of horseshoe has die-cut metal letters and numbers “BLE/89.” The union was founded in 1863 but this is the earliest item we’ve ever seen for the group. While unmarked, its quite possible the horseshoe is gold to some degree. In any case, a beautiful item which displays essentially Mint. Also see railroad-related items consisting of Lionel Corporation stock certificates and button #1418.