2.5" tall with embossed brass shell eagle which has reverse stickpin plus original ribbon in turn joined to high relief brass shell frame with designs of eagle, flags and text "E Pluribus Unum." Raised oval at center holds N. Mint ferrotype with crystal clear portrait beneath his name (containing an extra "L" in error) "P.S. Gillmore." Emulsion has near microscopic dot off his cheek, his forehead and several dots at upper right but emulsion remains about 99.8% Mint. Our thanks to Michael P. Quinlin, an expert on Gilmore, who on the basis of additional photos dates this image to 1872. From our own experience with presidential campaign items we know this particular brass shell frame was used as early as 1868 for Grant vs. Seymour as well as 1872 for Grant vs. Greeley and last in 1876 for Hayes vs. Tilden. This item was likely produced as a souvenir sold at the landmark concert events of 1872 or 1876. See the following entries which are just a few highlights of an amazing career: *Born in Ireland and immigrated to Boston 1849 *First Promenade Concert in America (1855) forerunner of today's Boston Pops *Gilmore's Band served in Civil War with Massachusetts 24th Regiment *Wrote many songs including When Johnny Comes Marching Home *Produced the World's Peace Jamboree (1872) with 2000 piece orchestra and 20,000 voice chorus *Created Gilmore's Concert Garden which became the first Madison Square Garden *Musical Director for July 4th Centennial in Philadelphia (1876) *First ensemble to travel across America giving concerts from N.Y. to San Fransisco *Music director for Dedication of the Statue of Liberty (1886) *Made some of the earliest commercial recordings for Thomas Edison in 1891 *Started tradition of greeting the new year in Times Square, New York. A rare and important artifact, the earliest music related wearable item known to us, in the history of music in America.