This McKinley-Hobart campaign umbrella, printed cotton with black portraits and text, is marked on interior “The Sprague Umbrella Co. Norwalk, Ohio.” It has six panels with paired jugate portraits divided by panels of red & blue, with a long with turned wood handle and dowel, original finish and red, white and blue streamers attached at top. This umbrella sold at auction in 2005 for $460.

It is amazing sometimes in the world of collectibles that a relatively mundane item becomes an important historical artifact simply because it lasted 100 years. Prior to 1896, hats, ribbons, clothing buttons, parade torches, lanterns and other innocuous everyday items were produced not only as functional items, but also doubled as an advertisement for a favorite candidate.

And so why not an umbrella? During the late 19th century, the umbrella was functional, but also served as a walking advertisement for presidential campaigns, too. “Campaign items such as umbrellas were most likely produced by vendors, not the campaigns themselves. These are very delicate items,” says John Olsen, an exhibitor at the American Presidential Experience in Denver, Colo., during the Democratic National Convention of 2008.

Umbrellas themselves have a very ancient history. First used in ancient Greece, it was intended to shield a person from the hot rays of the sun. In fact, the word “parasol” means to block the sun (the word “umbra” is Latin for shade or shadow). The earliest mention of a collapsible umbrella, according to a Wikipedia entry, was in China in the year 21 A.D., for use on a ceremonial four-wheeled carriage. Over time, the umbrella was used to shield a person from the rain, in photography and even as a fashion statement.

And so, in the late 19th century, the umbrella was a rather perfect way to advertise your preference for president. It wasn’t unusual to find images and names of both the presidential and vice presidential candidates added to an umbrella, along with full color national flags, slogans, and all manner of patriotic motifs.

This small umbrella was probably a political campaign souvenir. Red, white and blue stripes and stars with beaded tassels and a bamboo shaft. It sold at auction in 2005 for $381.88.

It is also normal to find an inordinate amount of wear and tear. Such items were not expected to last beyond the presidential campaign itself and they generally show it. Olsen showed a McKinley/Roosevelt 1900 campaign umbrella with the candidate’s images, names, and two Great Star pattern national flags in full red, white, and blue with 38 stars on a wooden staff that collapses. It also showed a few holes, general wear, fading, and obvious water spots. “Something in this condition would be valued at $350. If it was in mint condition it would be close to $1,000,” Olsen says.

WorthPoint’s Worthpodia features another McKinley/Roosevelt umbrella in slightly better condition auctioned by Heritage Auction Galleries in 2007 for $717. An earlier McKinley/Hobart campaign umbrella featuring the portraits of William McKinley and Garrett Hobart in panels of red and blue from his first 1896 campaign sold by Cowan’s Auction in 2005 for $460.

During the same 1896 political campaign, a simple button of celluloid over paper attached to a round metal plate or button with a pin attached was first introduced by the McKinley campaign. They have been manufactured virtually the same way ever since as a cheaper alternative to fancy and costly items such as the umbrella. The buttons also were easier to transport and had a wider distribution. But the 19th century umbrella, like the hat and the ribbon, can still tell a great colorful story as long as you keep them indoors.

• Campaign umbrella: http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/small-umbrella-probably-political-campaign
• McKinley/Hobart umbrella: http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/mckinley-hobart-jugate-campaign-umbrella
• Images of McKinley/Roosevelt umbrella: http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/mckinleyroosevelt-campaign-umbrella-0

To watch a video of John Olsen discussing political umbrellas, click here.

Tom Carrier is a general Worthologist, with an expertise in a wide variety of subjects.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Throughout the 19th century, supporters for American presidential candidates were able to advertise their loyalty by buying some rather unusual items, or at least considered unusual in the era of bumper stickers and pinback buttons. Prior to the 1896 election, the torch light parade through town in honor of your candidate was commonplace. But you were also able to tip a hat, wear a ribbon, hold an umbrella, wear a vest, or drink from a mug to advertise your support, too.

Christopher Kent, a WorthPoint Worthologist, was fascinated by another typical political item that played a large role in elections in the late 19th century, the tin tray. He talked with Mark Evans of Collector’s Archives at the American Presidential Experience in Denver, Colo., during the Democratic National Convention in late summer 2008 about the significance and the collectability of these historic presidential items.

During the presidential campaign of 1896 between William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan, individual companies would produce these large, oval tin trays featuring the likenesses of both candidates for resale to gift shops and stores. “Supporters would just buy them as a souvenir of the election or to show their support,” Evans says.

These tin trays were intended to be used every day, both as a piece of decoration for the wall and also as a serving tray. Condition, therefore, plays a rather significant role in assessing value after scarcity. A 1900 tin tray featuring William Jennings Bryan and Adlai Stevenson is a rare piece, for example, but there is a lot of normal crazing and rust pits throughout bringing down its value. “Much of this can be repaired, and when you have a quality piece, it’s worth the investment,” Evans says. He paid $400 to $500 for the tin tray, but in mint condition, it would be worth 3 to 4 times that value. A tin tray featuring McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt from the 1900 presidential campaign sold at auction for about $1,100 in 2004, for example, according to WorthPoint’s Worthopedia.

For many of these trays, a blank space was deliberately added along the top and bottom borders and on the sides, according to Evans. “I’ve seen these for various businesses with the name printed in black and then these businesses would distribute them to their better customers, who would then hang them on the wall, which would give them advertising. The ones with advertising tend to have more value because they’re limited to one business in one city and it adds interest,” Evans says. This could be considered a double investment because the tray is scarce, but the addition of an advertising company is even rarer.

By 1896, the acetate political button with a pin attached to the back became the most common way for individuals to show their support for their candidates. They were easier to manufacture at a much lower cost and the distribution was more universal. Items such as the tin tray, the umbrella, the top hat, and other more flamboyant displays of support began to become less important during the presidential campaigns. Of course, that just makes them even more valuable as collectibles.

Watch a video about the presidential campaign tin trays here.

Tom Carrier is a general Worthologist, with an expertise in a wide variety of subjects.

WorthPoint: Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles.

Common or scarce? Political buttons were created for campaigns, for issues, even for special events—or sometimes just because. With so many different kinds of political campaign buttons available since they were first created in 1896, and more than 3,000 for the Obama campaign alone, how can you know which ones to collect? I spoke with Mark Evans of Collectors Archive of Avon, New York, a long time political collectibles dealer, about the tried and true method of determining what is collectible.

“An awful lot of it is supply and demand and the graphic appeal of the item,” Evans says. “There is a wonderful button of Teddy Roosevelt with draped flags in his Rough Rider hat when he ran for Governor in 1898, but it’s very common. There were thousands and thousands of them made.” But, because of Teddy’s outsized personality, collector’s demand for this particular button has pushed the value for this relatively common button higher.

A more recent example of this phenomenon is the “In Your Heart, You Know He’s Right” campaign button of the Barry Goldwater presidential campaign of 1964. The satirical buttons of this campaign, such as “In Your Guts, You Know He’s Nuts” or “In Your Heart, You Know He’s Right – Far Right” also have values much higher than the supply.

With 3,000 buttons for the Obama campaign alone, how do we determine what is valuable as a collectible? Look for buttons that were used for a one day event, Evans says. Buttons of this sort were made in much more limited quantities, usually by local clubs or commercial companies and so their value remains high. Also, look to a candidate’s initial runs for political office. A Joe Biden campaign button for president in 1988, for example, now sells for $20 to $50 when just recently it was only about $2.

Matched pairs are also collectible. This is a commercially produced button series where both the president and vice president candidates are each produced on a separate button. Collectors go out of their way to find the mates, producing an instant collectible.

“Another factor,” Evans says, “is how well a button is made.” Evans shows a 1980 campaign button for Ronald Reagan where the graphic, while interesting and unusual, was poorly made. Spots, or foxing, started appearing on the paper reducing its value considerably. On the other hand, an interesting or unusual illustration, where the colors are bright and the quality is good, will only increase in value as a collectible over time.

So, to find value in political buttons, it is more than supply and demand. An unusual or catchy campaign slogan, buttons used for one-day events, early campaign buttons of elected presidents and vice presidents, matched pairs of candidates produced commercially, and unusual buttons that are well made. These are all factors in finding continued value in political button collectibles.

Still, there is one last thing to remember when collecting political buttons that tends to make all the difference. “As a collector, you should collect what you like,” Evans counsels. Hard to do in politics, but this is really the last word in collectible political buttons.

Watch a video with Tom Carrier talking to Mark Evans about political buttons here.

Tom Carrier is a general Worthologist, with an expertise in a wide variety of subjects.

WorthPoint: Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles.

WorthPoint was a sponsor of the American Presidential Experience in Denver, Colo., earlier this year. This travelling road show of the American presidency was set up just outside Invesco Stadium in Denver as part of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Inside were exhibits such as a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, the C-SPAN rolling studio, and campaign memorabilia of the past. One of the exhibits was a collection belonging to Mark Evans of Collectors Archives that featured the political items of the 1908 Democratic National Convention which was held, as it happens, in Denver as well.

That year, William Jennings Bryan was nominated for president rather overwhelmingly, but he left the nomination of his vice president completely up to the convention. The convention chose John W. Kern of Indiana as the vice presidential nominee. So, the Democratic ticket of Bryan and Kern was set for 1908 at a time when colorful and elaborate convention badges were the norm.

John Olsen, curator for the exhibit and WorthPoint Worthologist for political buttons, shows off some of the more unusual convention badges, such as the delegate badge for the Maryland delegation. In gold and black—colors from the Maryland state flag—a bow tie made from a small silk American flag with a pin featuring the coat-of-arms of Maryland in the center. It also features a black and gold rosette at the top with an American flag in the center. The gold filigree along the sides and bottom with the words “Delegate, National Democratic Convention, Denver, July 7th, 1908” sewn on silk really emphasizes the extravagance of only one of the many convention badges.

Alongside the convention badges were individual ones created specifically for Bryan Clubs. These were local organizations created to promote presidential candidates of the time. The badge for the Lincoln Bryan Club of Denver is an elaborate red, white, blue and silver silk oversized delegate badge complete with a very detailed button featuring William Jennings Bryan and the issues of the day added to the ribbon.

The centerpiece of the collection was the oversized photo image of William Jennings Bryan as a political button in perfect condition. “That button in that condition is worth easily over $2,000,” Olsen says.

In addition to the delegate buttons and pins are the tickets. Yes, everyone needed a ticket to attend the convention, even the delegate. A different ticket was issued for each day of the convention. Today, the specially manufactured elaborate credentials serve the same purpose, except the tickets of 1908 came with a coupon or stub. You presented the ticket and, like the movies today, the coupon was torn off by the convention staff as you entered the convention floor. “Now, (a) convention ticket would be more valuable if it had its original stub attached to it,” Olsen says. A complete ticket with stub in good condition would be worth about $50, but one without would be worth about half that.

While Bryan lost the election in 1908 to William Howard Taft, the items from his campaign and the 1908 convention that nominated him remain very popular and valuable political collectibles. It just goes to show that even in defeat, you can still be called on to serve your country as a valued collectible.

Watch a video of Tom Carrier talking with John Olsen about the 1908 National Democratic Convention by clicking here.

Tom Carrier is a general Worthologist, with an expertise in a wide variety of subjects.

WorthPoint: Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles.

Now that you have started your collection, the most important thing to do with your buttons is to learn how to take proper care of them. If you fail to do this, you are risking having your buttons permanently stained or cracked, which will greatly reduce their value and, more importantly, detract from their aesthetic beauty.

What typically causes damage to political buttons? The four main causes of damage to buttons are storing buttons in a careless manner, direct light (especially sunlight), moisture, and extreme changes in temperature.

1916 Charles Evan Hughes button, from the front the button appears near perfect but when viewed from the side, much of the collet on the right hand side is exposed.

If you store your buttons by just throwing them into a box or drawer then it is likely that the surfaces of many of the buttons will be scratched by the pins of the buttons around them. Litho buttons (where the image has been directly printed onto the metal surface of the button) are particularly prone to this type of damage. On several occasions, I have seen large boxes containing hundreds of brand new litho buttons, received directly from the manufacturer, having nearly every button scratched. All the buttons had been shipped all jumbled together in groups of one hundred buttons per bag. This is why it is important to take the time and effort to store any large quantity of buttons neatly in rows in a face-to-face and back-to-back manner. By doing so, the buttons shift very little when moved and can not scratch one another.

Another all too common way of damaging buttons is exposing them to direct light. Direct light, regardless of its source, can fade the printing and colors of a button. The color red is particularly prone to fading by direct light. While direct sunlight is the most damaging, fluorescent light is also very damaging to buttons and any other graphic material. Collectors need to take special note of this since the new energy efficient light bulbs are compact fluorescent will be the only type available in the very near future. If you choose to display your collection on your walls or under a glass display case, you must make sure these items are lit by indirect light only. You should also rotate your items at least every six months.

When I was given a tour of Terrace Hill—the home of Iowa’s governor—one of the staff informed me that a prior Iowa governor had stored many of his most prized pieces of political memorabilia in the hallway between the governor’s office and the first lady’s office on the second floor. Unfortunately, there was a large window on the opposite wall from where the memorabilia was displayed. Sunlight may have beautifully lit up this hallway for several hours a day but it also greatly faded many of this unidentified governor’s prized mementos from his prior campaigns, as well as the presidential buttons he had collected. When I heard that Iowa’s current governor, Chet Culver, was planning to store his buttons in the same place, the next time I saw him, I was bold enough to personally warn him about the damage of continuing to display his collection in that location. It happened that I had a personal stake in this matter, since I had given him a collection of buttons from his father’s campaigns for the U.S. Senate in 1974 and 1980, and did not want those items damaged.

This 1904 Alton Parker button has a major crack on the lower right hand side detracting greatly from its visual appeal.

The biggest cause of damage to buttons is moisture that seeps underneath the celluloid or acetate and rusts the metal collet (the metal band used in the manufacture of a pinback, placed on the backside to secure the paper and celluloid attached to the front of the button) and frequently the metal disc on which the button paper rests. This rust creates black and/or brown spots to appear on the paper. This process is called “foxing,” and significantly reduces the value of any button.

Buttons exposed to extreme temperature and humidity changes can cause the celluloid (the plastic that covers a button) to expand and contract. The result of this process repeating numerous times is cracks in the celluloid on the front, and/or separations (when the celluloid pulls away from the rim of the button). Personally, in order for me to buy a cracked button or a button with a separation problem, the button would have to be extremely rare and inexpensive. Significant celluloid cracks make almost any button worthless.

This Jesse Jackson flasher from the 1970s (an educated guess) has a crack in the worst place, right through his face and a stain or foxing directly underneath it. Yet, it is one of my most prized buttons because I have yet to learn the exact origin of when it was made and why.

To prevent cracks and separations from happening to your buttons, you should store them in the same temperatures and humidity that make you comfortable. The average person is most comfortable when their house stays consistently around 72 degrees and not too dry or too humid. The same goes for buttons. Typically, you do not want to store your collection in the basement, attic, or garage. On the other hand, there are many people who have central air conditioning and finished basements that do not see a large fluctuation in temperature or humidity. In those situations, it is fine to store your collection there. If you are forced due to space limitations to store some of the overflow of your collection in your garage, as I am, I would recommend storing these items in sturdy Rubbermaid containers. This type of container will at least keep the buttons dry, out of the light and not directly exposed to the weather.

This 1908 William Howard Taft button has very slight staining to the right of his head. It could almost be mistaken for shading by the artist.

How do condition problems affect the price of political buttons? As typical with most collectibles, the first factor in the value of political buttons is rarity, the second is desirability, and the third is condition. The difference with political buttons is that there is no official grading scale or professional grading service companies. The most widely trusted price guide on political buttons, Ted Hake’s “Encyclopedia of Political Buttons,” has an update done only every few years and all the prices are based upon mint examples. Furthermore, this price guide only lists political items from 1792 thru 1976. To track the prices of buttons produced from 1980 to the present, as well as the trends of the value of older buttons, one must subscribe to several auctions and create your own database of prices. While most auctioneers take great effort to detail any imperfections in the buttons they are offering, there is still no way for any auctioneer to determine exactly how much he/she should discount his estimate from a button’s mint value in order to compensate for any flaws in any given button.

In preparation for writing this article, I decided to consult several long-time American Political Items Collectors (APIC) members about how various types of damage affects the value of political buttons. Hake, himself, responded that “any visible stain reduces prices by 50 percent, any visible crack 75 percent.” Another highly regarded auctioneer, Al Anderson, from Troy, Ohio, wrote to me about a rule developed by his good friend, Dr. Jeff Pressman of San Diego. Dr. Pressman’s rule is “when you see the item, do you say ‘Wow, it’s beautiful or great,’ or do you say, ‘Boy that cut, stain, foxing, or off-centeredness bothers me.’ If you see the beauty you can live with it and like it, just decide on a value. If the first time you are bothered by the problem, you will always be bothered by it and should not buy the piece—at any price.”

Group of seven William Jennings Bryan buttons from 1896 and 1900 with various condition problems including chips, foxing, celluloid separations, and dents. Some of the problems are more noticeable than others. The damage on each one greatly reduced its monetary value but not its historical or educational value.

Personally, the best guidance I can provide in regards to judging the value of a button with condition problems is to give a couple of anecdotes as to what I perceive is the typical attitude towards condition problems. One of my best friends in APIC owns a rare William Jennings Bryan button from 1896 that in mint condition would be valued at about $1,000. But because of some stains on it, he was able to purchase it for only $50. During a visit to the house of another APIC friend, along with two other APIC members, I noticed a shoe box full of buttons from the classic age of political buttons, 1896-1920s. I did notice that virtually all of them had some significant condition problems but still historically significant. In mint condition, most of these buttons would be valued from between $30-$75 each. When I inquired if they were for sale or not, my friend said, “Take whatever you want for free.” The three of us visitors were like kids in a candy store with huge grins on our face. We were thrilled to take our friend up on his offer because these buttons were still quite displayable and it is always better to have a damaged example than none at all.

I think it is important to remember when considering buying a button with condition problems is that these buttons are still historically valuable. Buying such buttons is a great way to build a collection of rare and historically significant buttons without having to break the bank. When you can afford to upgrade your collection to include better condition examples, you definitely should. But, until that point, why not have a collection of highly sought after buttons that just happen to have a few spots of foxing or a small crack on the side?

Beyond the tips and tools already provided, what else can you do to preserve your prized political buttons? What if you want quick and easy access to your buttons? Do you need to transport your buttons frequently? What is the best way to display your collection? These types of questions will be answered in my next article, “The Preservation and Displaying of Political Campaign Buttons.”

John Olsen is a Worthologist who specializes in political and campaign buttons and pins

WorthPoint: Get the Most from Your Antiques and Collectibles

Although there are many local campaigns (State Senate, State Representative, U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative, and Governor) for which only a few designs and varieties are ever made, the number of different button designs and varieties produced for the campaigns of the Presidential nominees is impossible to determine. In addition to the designs produced by national campaigns of the presidential nominees and a few well known button manufacturers, there are also local state and county parties, college party organizations, labor unions, local vendors, and individuals that also make buttons every four years. Therefore, no matter how items you have in your collection of a particular candidate, you can be pretty certain that it will never be complete. Since it is the hunt for new items that is half the fun in collecting, political button collectors have an endless source of enjoyment searching for items to add to their collection.

This is especially true for me because I happen to specialize in collecting non-partisan vote items. This means buttons simply encouraging people to vote without party affiliation listed. Every two years, there are buttons made by a countless number of groups, especially non-profits that launch voter registration and Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) campaigns. Many of these efforts are quickly formed and then disappear after Election Day and given a new name two or four years later. Therefore, the number of items which I could add to my collection grows greater every two years, but by how much I will never know.

During the 2008 election, I heard rumors that one well known political button manufacturer produced more than 40,000 different styles for Barack Obama alone. While this number seems greatly exaggerated, there is no way to be certain. Yet, it would not surprise me if there had been 40,000 different Obama button styles made prior to Election Day 2008. Then, there will likely be at least a 1,000 more different styles created for Obama’s Presidential Inauguration.

In most other hobbies—such as stamps, coins, sports and non-sports trading cards, and comic books—the number of manufacturers of these items is fairly limited. Most of these manufacturers release information to the public regarding the exact number of different items they produce and the quantity produced for each item. Since the production of coins and stamps is dictated by the government agencies that produce them, the information is required to be made public.

Wendell Wilkie: A metal pin back campaign button for the Republican ticket in 1940 of Wendell Wilkie and McNary running against, and losing to, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, made by Greenduck Company, Chicago, Ill. This button shows a few surface scratches.

2. There is virtually no way to restore a damaged political button to its original condition.

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard on the Antique Roadshow the appraiser telling the owner of an item that with careful restoration by a professional, the item’s value could increase by 20 to 30 percent or more. Political button collectors can only wish this was true for their items. With the exception of surface dirt, the damage to a pinback button is permanent. The only conceivable way to repair a pinback button whose plastic covering has been cracked is to dismantle the button and replace the celluloid/acetate covering the paper. This process is so difficult and uncommon within the hobby that it is virtually unheard of. In addition, an alteration to a campaign button such as this basically constitutes creating a reproduction, even though the button paper would be original. Besides damage to the celluloid, another permanent type of damage includes foxing, which is when moisture gets underneath the celluloid and rusts the metal backing. This rust creates brown or black spots on the button paper.

John F. Kennedy: A button from JFK’s Inauguration Day, 1961.

3. There are no annually produced price guides produced for campaign buttons.

Oh, how I wish this was possible. Since there is no way to accumulate an example of each button produced for any given candidate, even just a complete listing of political buttons is impossible, let alone a price guide.

In the past, there have been efforts taken on by various members of the American Political Items Collectors (APIC) to produce “projects” for a given candidate or election. This type of effort involves a large number of members sending images of items from their personal collection which are related to a particular election or candidate to one or more selected individuals. These individuals would then spend many hours weeding out the duplicate images and then organizing them into categories to be photographed and published in the APIC’s quarterly publication, the Keynoter. I am not aware of any such project done for any election or candidate after 1980.

As for actual price guides, the most highly respected price guide in the hobby is Ted Hake’s three-volume Encyclopedia of Political Buttons. Unfortunately, the “Hake guides” only cover campaign memorabilia related to presidential campaigns from 1792 through 1976. The overwhelming challenge of updating such a price guide makes it time and cost prohibitive. Additionally, while the number of collectors of political buttons is not small, between 7,000 and 10,000 nationwide, it is a fraction of those who collect sports trading cards, stamps and coins. With a relatively limited market for a political button price guide, it would not be economically feasible for an author to undertake and publish such a comprehensive project.

These limitations has not stopped author, Mark Warda from writing and publishing a price guide called, 200 Years of Political Campaign Collectibles. Warda does not attempt to be exhaustive in his listings. He uses examples of specific types of items that the collector is likely to encounter. He then gives price ranges, rather than a single dollar amount for an item. In regards to buttons, he depicts just a few buttons for each candidate, some very common and others very rare to show examples of what collectors might find in their searches.

The only hope of ever having an exhaustive price guide would be for a group of dedicated collectors to create an on-line listing of political buttons. Once this is accomplished, they could have members of the political collecting community post prices as they see them sold in the marketplace, along with proper citation as to where, when and for what price each specific button sold for. As more auctioneers such as Heritage Auction Galleries provide on-line access to their auction archives, maybe such an on-line price guide could be developed in the future. Of course, even an on-line price guide would never be fully complete.

The best way for collectors to keep up to date with prices is to attend political memorabilia shows, subscribe to multiple auction catalogs, and watch on-line auctions as diligently as possible. To do this with a high level of thoroughness would easily consume the same number of hours as a full-time job. While there are many who do their best to keep up on the values of all presidential campaign buttons (as well as other types of presidential campaign items), especially those from the period 1896-1920s—the golden age of buttons—most dealers resort to pricing their buttons based on their past experiences.

Eugene Debs: A 1910 Socialist Party Eugene Debs Political Button.

4. There is no set grading standards for buttons.

Most other hobbies have established grading standards to rate the condition of items within a given hobby and therefore accurately set a scale of prices for each grading level. This is not the case within the political button collecting world. The most typical types of damage seen on political buttons are scratches, fading, foxing (brown or black spots on the paper underneath the plastic covering), and celluloid cracks. Slight scratches are the most prevalent of all types of damage and have the least affect on prices. The other types of damage described above have severe affects on the value of buttons. Virtually all of them reduce the value of any button at least 50 percent, if not greater.

Franklin D. Roosevelt: “I Want Roosevelt Again” pin by Bastian Bros., NY

5. The Federal Hobby Protection Act of 1973 forbids the reproduction of political items unless they are marked in a very specific way.

The Federal Hobby Protection Act of 1973 sets very strict rules under which reproductions of political items especially buttons can be made. While this act also sets guidelines for the reproduction of coins, these two hobbies are the only two protected by this act. Unfortunately, a recent effort to broaden the Hobby Protection Act to encompass many other antiques and collectibles failed. So, while political button collectors still have to keep a sharp eye out for reproductions, which are virtually worthless, the Hobby Protection Act deters many manufacturers and individuals from designing and selling political items that appear old and meant to deceive collectors.

John Olsen is a Worthologist who specializes in political and campaign buttons.

WorthPoint: Get the Most from Your Antiques and Collectibles

According to Kelly & Ellwood in their 1990 book Trivets & Stands, the first George Washington Trivet was designed and cast in brass for the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876. George Washington was an appropriate subject, considering that the Exposition was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence!

In a few minute’s Internet Search I easily located several of these GW trivets. Some were obvious reproductions; others appeared to be older castings. So … if the design has remained essentially the same over the years, how would someone be able to differentiate a newer reproduction from an earlier casting?

Signature The original George Washington trivet had no signature on the reverse. Recent reproductions from JZH (1948), Darilyte and Virginia Metalcrafters (1950s-1960s) were signed with the company name; the Virginia Metalcrafters trivet also bears the company logo.

Casting Mark The oldest trivets will have either a sprue, wedge or poorly filed gate mark; see my Article, Trivets of Cast Metal. You probably will not be able to detect the gate mark(s) on a recent casting because they are so well filed.

Leg Length Modern reproduction trivets tend to have legs that are less than 1 inch in length; many may be only a half an inch. That’s because these trivets were meant for decorative wall display. Earlier castings will have longer legs because that lifted the trivet farther above the surface it was designed to protect.

Shape of Legs Modern reproduction trivets have legs that are short, straight and round on cross-section. Older trivets have legs that may taper or that are square, triangular, half or quarter round on cross-section.

Evidence of Wear Look at the top surface and the bottoms of the legs; on an older trivet some wear is to be expected. The legs on antique trivets often bend inward; this is seen more commonly on brass trivets but also occurs with cast iron.

Variations of Handle The original design featured a handle that was open in the center. Subsequent castings featured either an open or a solid handle.

Backcoping Backcoping refers to a routing out of sections of the trivet reverse in order to decrease both the amount of metal needed and the weight of the final casting. In the original casting, the area behind the bust of Washington is backcoped. In contrast, most modern reproductions are completely flat on the reverse.

The Pigtail! Modern reproduction designs often do not include the pigtail of the wig George is wearing; older castings will always include it.

And what about value? At one time the George Washington trivet design was considered scarce, but since the advent of the Internet many have been brought to Auction and they are now relatively easy to obtain.

* $25-$45: Signed, reproduction trivets
* $45-$85: Older, vintage or antique, unsigned versions in brass or iron
* $85- $185: The very nicest older specimens in cast iron or brass with a prominent casting mark, long legs, nice detail and no damage
* > $200: The highest bidding would be for an original, circa 1876 George Washington Trivet specimen in brass, with open handle, 1⅜” legs and and showing signs on the reverse suggesting its origins via wax casting. I would estimate that the bidding would start at around $200 and end at $350 to $500. Two or more passionate collectors, bidding against each other, could cause the ending price to be even higher. I believe the brass trivet pictured here to be an original casting. It has a sprue mark on the reverse and the legs are bent slightly inward from age.

Now that I’ve said all that, a very nice older specimen of the George Washington trivet, cast iron with a closed handle and sprue mark on the reverse, was offered at auction by Early American through Live Auctioneers and sold for $1000 in May 2007!

As they say, value is ultimately in the eye (and pocketbook) of the beholder.

 Lynn Rosack is a Worthologist who specializes in trivets and kitchenalia

The results are based on his historically accurate, but unscientific, USA Button Poll. Since 1988, his poll has correctly predicted the winner for every presidential election except for 2000. The poll was based on thousands of button sales at political events, nonpolitical shows, sales at Washington, D.C., locations and political conventions since late June.

Warlick is a member of WorthPoint’s expert Worthologist team. WorthPoint is an Internet-based data-and-media company that offers a vast database of sales records on art, antiques and collectibles. WorthPoint helps collectors understand the worth of their items and provides expert advice on how to preserve, buy and sell them.

“Campaigns may have gone high-tech, but old-fashioned political-campaign buttons are as popular as ever, not only increasing in value, but helping to predict presidential elections,” said Warlick. “In over 40 years of collecting and selling campaign buttons, I have never seen such interest. The possibility of electing the first woman president or the first African American drove many to people to purchase those candidates’ buttons that otherwise may not have been the case.”

Warlick notes that while Obama merchandise is highly popular, John F. Kennedy memorabilia is still the most prized. Other popular presidents include Franklin Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower.

What makes a button valuable? According to Warlick, the popularity of a president, the quantity of buttons produced and the design content are key factors. Buttons with photographs are always more sought after by collectors. Buttons that include both the presidential and vice-presidential candidates are called jugates and are highly prized, especially if they include photographs of the candidates.

As for the most valuable button, that distinction goes to Ohio Gov. James Cox and former Assistant Navy Secretary Franklin Roosevelt. They ran against Warren Harding in the 1920 presidential campaign—before Roosevelt was stricken with polio. Although there were six different Cox and Roosevelt designs, it is now believed that all were just manufacturers’ samples and were never ordered in large quantities. Of all six designs, only 50 buttons are known to exist. In a private sale a few years ago, a 1-1/4-inch Cox and Roosevelt jugate went for a reported $135,000.

For would-be button collectors, Warlick offers the following advice: “Casual collectors should choose a candidate they like or admire and enjoy studying. Investors should choose based on past sales history, quality of button and historical significance of that particular election or candidate.”

“In addition to getting campaign-button information from sites like WorthPoint,” Warlick recommends contacting the American Political Items Collectors (APIC), an organization devoted to the collecting of political memorabilia.

About WorthPoint
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Atlanta, WorthPoint is an Internet-based data-and-media company that offers a vast database of sales records on art, antiques and collectibles from more than 400 auction houses. Members can share their insights, knowledge and passion and build collecting communities. WorthPoint helps collectors understand the history and value of their items and provides expert advice on how to preserve or sell them. While it does not facilitate the bidding of any items, WorthPoint provides information about upcoming auctions at its partner auction houses.

Contact:
Dan Greenfield
WorthPoint
Dan [dot] greenfield [at] worthpoint [dot] com
(404) 549-6979 x9029
(404) 310-0023 cell

Barack Obama’s election is being hailed as a historic moment. Does that make buying a $100 copy of November 5th’s Chicago Tribune on eBay, with an original cost of 75 cents, a good investment?

Memorabilia from the 2008 presidential election is popping up for sale everywhere, with merchants on eBay offering items ranging from a patch of grass from Grant Park (at one point showing a bid of one cent) to a $20,000 (“Buy it Now” price) signed first-edition copy of Obama’s book, “Dreams From My Father.” But collectible experts say only certain types of items are likely to hold or increase their value. Here’s a guide to sizing up Obamabilia:

AUTOGRAPHS
For collectors, it is important that autographs be authenticated. Tom Carrier, an expert in presidential memorabilia who advises WorthPoint, an antiques and collectibles web site, says that anything with a date and place on it, such as a ticket or program from a campaign event, will normally be accepted as legitimate. But if prices on these items spike, so does the chance for fakes. The value of an autograph varies with what it is written on, and connoisseurs particularly covet clear, vibrant signatures on an easily readable background. A signed, limited edition Obama campaign poster recently sold for $2,800 on eBay, although Carrier thinks this price may subside along with the euphoria surrounding election night. A regular copy of an Obama book carrying his autograph will probably hover at around $200 to $400, says Carrier.

Be careful, though. Historically, purveyors of faked memorabilia have flourished online, where it’s easier to maintain anonymity and keep buyers at arm’s length from the actual product before they plunk down their cash. The best way to ensure you are buying the real deal is to purchase from a reputable dealer with deep authentication experience; experts say that you should approach every piece—and, indeed, every certificate of authenticity—with skepticism. Carrier says he has this golden rule: “If it was not signed in front of you, the autograph was not signed by that person.” A trustworthy starting point for collectors seeking advice is the American Political Items Collectors .

BUTTONS
Partisan buttons are turned out by the millions. But some can also turn into rare gems. The smaller the number produced of a given button, the more valuable they become. Also, buttons tied to key events can be more valuable. Jim Warlick, creator of the USA Button Poll, which predicts the outcome of presidential elections (accurately but not scientifically) based on the number of people buying certain buttons, and a presidential collector for 30 years, says that any button that was produced for Obama’s Denver acceptance speech is worth holding onto, particularly since the event took place on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King telling the world, “I have a dream.” The value of a special button could double in a year, according to Warlick, who currently sells certain JFK pins for $75 a pop.

T-SHIRTS AND NEWSPAPERS
Clothing doesn’t keep well—and the McCain brand, in particular, may never bounce back. And newspapers, despite their iconic nature, are often too common. The New York Times printed an extra 50,000 copies of its Wednesday paper, and the Chicago Tribune an additional 200,000. A newspaper announcing victory for Dewey over Truman in 1948 recently sold for $7,000, but this year there was no surprise. “They don’t have great value,” says Carrier. If you want to keep them for posterity, “store in an acid-free environment.”

INAUGURAL ITEMS
Experts expect inaugural gear will be hot this year. Inauguration day programs and other items, like tickets from inside the barriers, that can be tied to the Capitol on Jan. 20 will likely be most sought after. Police signs from the day of the JFK inauguration, picked up from the street for free, can sell today for $200, says Warlick. Meanwhile, Warlick, a third of whose collection once featured the Clinton cat, Socks, says he found a clue in Obama’s election night speech as to “the next rave”:

“[Obama] said he was buying a new puppy. When the pictures and the name of that puppy appear, that puppy will be on everything.”

Contact:
Dan Greenfield
WorthPoint
Dan [dot] greenfield [at] worthpoint [dot] com
(404) 549-6979 x9029
(404) 310-0023 cell

The Chicago Tribune, Obama’s hometown paper, went into overdrive. “To keep up with the incredible demand,” said Michael Dizon, the Tribunes’ communications manager, “an additional 410,000 copies—almost double our normal circulation for a Wednesday—were printed.”

“Additionally, we will print an eight-page supplement and a Sunday special edition featuring Chicago Tribune covers of President-elect Obama’s career in Chicago,” Dizon added. The Tribune will also produce about 5,000 posters and 2,000 commemorative metal plates of the front page of the newspaper, all of which are available in its online store for purchase.

Other papers printed additional copies

This was not out of the ordinary. The venerable Washington Post also published an additional 350,000 copies, Detroit’s two daily newspapers reprinted a combined 110,000 copies, The New York Times sold an additional 75,000 copies, and USA Today will continue to sell reprints of its Nov. 5 edition. All the newspapers can be bought individually online or at their newspaper offices for the regular newsstand prices.

Washington Post records the moment (left), New York Times: one word said it all (right)

What has proved out of the ordinary is the extended life Obama newspaper collectibles have taken to the point that news stories are appearing about this phenomenon.

A recent check eBay showed 5,417 different auctions of the Nov. 5 Obama election newspapers from around the country in blocks of 10 to 100, individually, or in series of several different newspapers.

I’ve been monitoring the Buy It Now prices at the top level starting at $9,900 for 100 Chicago Tribunes to one seller who is touting a “how they sold a $400 Obama newspaper on eBay and how you can, too” telephone seminar for a Buy It Now price of $500 (that includes a copy of New York Times Nov. 5 edition).

I’ve even talked to a fellow collector/dealer who is aware of someone who bought that edition of the Times, he thinks, for $2,500. Several times over the past few days, a Nov 5 edition has sold for several hundred dollars or more.

There is an excitement now surrounding these collectibles. Will paying these stratospheric prices translate into a sound long-term investment? History doesn’t suggest so.

More reasonable folks are buying a Nov 5 newspaper for $5 to $20 each. That should be the norm. Every dealer I talked to agreed. As the number of commemorative or special editions increases, the collector value down the road will not ever reach beyond the $2-to-(possibly)$10 range. None of the JFK assassination newspapers or magazines (except for a very limited few), for example, have ever attained any values higher than that.

As the inauguration of a new president approaches, there will be additional special editions and commemorative printings of national and local newspapers. The biddings will again be unrealistically high. All experts agree, including me, that you should buy the newspaper as a family keepsake, but pay only the newsstand price, if possible, or no more than $5, if necessary. The long-term-collectibles value will not ever be much higher if history is correct.

I urge everyone to be cognizant of collector value during special events such as this one. As time goes on and the initial euphoria fades, all manner of campaign collectibles will become available at much lower cost.

Does that mean the newspaper shouldn’t be collected? Absolutely not. Collectibility doesn’t have to be for monetary value only. Passing down historical newspapers through generations is a great way to learn American history firsthand. We are all fascinated by the ads alone showing the cost of items generations ago, for example.

But, preserve it correctly. Keep a complete newspaper in a clean, dry, acid-free environment away from fluctuations of heat and cold. That means wrapping the newspaper in acid-free paper, placing it in an acid-free box and placing the box in a closet or storage unit that faces toward the inside of the house, not against a wall that faces the outside. When taking it out, try to limit its exposure to all direct sunlight or any light for a long period of time.

Frame correctly

If you want to frame the front page, be sure to place the newspaper on an acid-free backing and behind an acid-free mat. It should never touch the glass directly. If you use UV glass, it will also help to keep damaging light from fading the newspaper over time. Place the frame away from direct sunlight or near a window and always on a wall facing inside, not one that faces outside.

To relive important events in your lifetime through a newspaper is a great way for future generations to learn what was important to you and to the country. After all, sentimental value is collectible, too.

By Tom Carrier, WorthPoint Worthologist, specializes in flags and political memorabilia

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

That is certainly true now that the United States has concluded its most recent election. The fact that it is historic, in that the first African-American has ascended to the office, also means that the political items associated with the campaign may, indeed, have a more lasting value than usual. Or maybe not.

You see the collectibles industry has certain criterion when evaluating what is significantly valuable and what is not. First, what is it? If it is an unusual political item beyond the normal bumper sticker, button, T-shirt, newspaper or poster, then the item is automatically desirable, and its value is higher.

This collectible, still showing its vibrant colors, is listed on GoAntiques.

Then, how many are there? With newspapers, for example, the printing of special editions means that there are so many more of them, and so individually, they may only retain a sentimental value through the years. A political button created only for the convention has a higher value than one commercially produced, for example. Severely limited and signed posters work, too. A signed football, T-shirt or baseball cap will always be limited to just a relative few.

The baseball sold at auction in September for $414. Check out Worthopedia for more details.

Nelson Whitman of Capitol Coins and Stamps, a venerable political and presidential items collector with his own shop in the heart of Washington, D.C., for more than 30 years, has said that an innumerable number of Barack Obama items were produced. “I have over 400 different buttons, many posters, bumper stickers, programs, tickets and other commemoratives, and all are selling like crazy to everyone in all walks of life,” Whitman said. You can visit Nelson’s online store to get an idea as to the quantity of available Obama collectibles.

Condition of the item matters, too. To take the newspaper example above, if there is a significant issue with a high value, but sections are missing or the cover is not pristine, the value drops significantly. If it has been cut or framed, the value is diminishes as well.

Autographs hard to authenticate

And lastly, can the item be authenticated? For autographs, this is sometimes problematic. I always counsel that an autograph should be on an event program or ticket. It immediately places that individual at a known location and is therefore easily authenticated. A signed photo or any item that was not signed in front of the collector is automatically suspect. It is possible for a staff member, an autopen that signs the signature by machine or a stamp to be affixed to an item that appears to be authentic, but is not.

So, to find a political collectible that will have lasting value:
• Find something completely out of the ordinary.
• Find something where there are relatively few in existence.
• Be sure the condition of the item is as close to pristine as possible.
• Trace and document its provenance so that the item can be easily authenticated.

If you can achieve all that, then you will have a collectible that can be handed down through generations both as an item of family history and as a high-value heirloom.

If you’re interested in this piece of history, more details can be found on GoAntiques.

It should be noted that collectibles aren’t just to look at. Sometimes they can also foretell the future. Worthologist Jim Warlick predicted quietly last spring that Obama would win, as the sale of his political buttons far outstripped the sales numbers of Hilary Clinton and John McCain combined. He has even gone so far as to post poll numbers, based on the sales results of buttons. His USA Button Poll has been correct for every election since 1992 (except for the very close one in 2000). This year, his button poll was pretty close, predicting a 56-44 win for Obama. The actual numbers were 52% for Obama and 46% for McCain.

By Tom Carrier, WorthPoint Worthologist, specializes in Flags and Political Memorabilia

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

Campaigns showed their patriotism during the 19th century by imprinting campaign slogans directly onto the U.S. national flag of the time. That would be considered bad form today, but back then it was quite common. This 31-star, “great star” pattern shows that this is a campaign flag from the Lincoln/Johnson campaign of 1864. What’s unusual about this flag is that the text is not silkscreened or printed on the flag itself. Instead, the text is pasted on the flag with printed paper labels. In fact, it seems to show that the paper labels were used to cover text used for the 1860 campaign. Quite unusual. In its 2007 auction notes, Cowan’s Auctions believed this to be a previously unrecorded textile, making this design quite scarce. The flag measures 8 feet by 12 feet and appears to be a silkscreen on muslin. The estimate of this flag was placed from $6,000 to $8,000. What was the final auction price for this unusual campaign flag?

A. $4,700
B. $6,800
C. $7,250

Jim Warlick.
(http://www.worthpoint.com/worthpoint-worthologists/jim-warlick).
The results are based on his historically accurate, but unscientific,
USA Button Poll. Since 1988, his poll has correctly predicted the winner
for every presidential election except for 2000. The poll was based on
thousands of button sales at political events, nonpolitical shows, sales at
Washington, D.C., locations and political conventions since late June.

Warlick is a member of WorthPoint’s expert Worthologist team. WorthPoint
(http://www.worthpoint.com) is an Internet-based data-and-media company that
offers a vast database of sales records on art, antiques and collectibles.
WorthPoint helps collectors understand the worth of their items and provides expert advice on how to preserve, buy and sell them.

“Campaigns may have gone high-tech, but old-fashioned political-campaign
buttons are as popular as ever, not only increasing in value, but helping to
predict presidential elections,” said Warlick. “In over 40 years of
collecting and selling campaign buttons, I have never seen such interest.
The possibility of electing the first woman president or the first African
American drove many to people to purchase those candidates’ buttons that
otherwise may not have been the case.”

Warlick notes that while Obama merchandise is highly popular, John F.
Kennedy memorabilia is still the most prized. Other popular presidents
include Franklin Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight
Eisenhower.

What makes a button valuable? According to Warlick, the popularity of
a president, the quantity of buttons produced and the design content are key
factors. Buttons with photographs are always more sought after by
collectors. Buttons that include both the presidential and vice-presidential
candidates are called jugates and are highly prized, especially if they
include photographs of the candidates.

As for the most valuable button, that distinction goes to Ohio Gov.
James Cox and former Assistant Navy Secretary Franklin Roosevelt. They ran
against Warren Harding in the 1920 presidential campaign — before Roosevelt
was stricken with polio. Although six different Cox and Roosevelt designs
were created, it is now believed that all were just manufacturers’ samples
and were never ordered in large quantities. Of all six designs, only 50
buttons are known to exist. In a private sale a few years ago, a 1-1/4-inch
Cox and Roosevelt jugate went for a reported $135,000.

For would-be button collectors, Warlick offers the following advice:
“Casual collectors should choose a candidate they like or admire and enjoy
studying. Investors should choose based on past sales history, quality of
button and historical significance of that particular election or
candidate.”

In addition to getting campaign-button information from sites like
WorthPoint, Warlick recommends contacting the American Political Items
Collectors (APIC), an organization devoted to the collecting of political
memorabilia.

About WorthPoint
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Atlanta, WorthPoint
(www.worthpoint.com) is an Internet-based data-and-media company that offers
a vast database of sales records on art, antiques and collectibles from more
than 400 auction houses. Members can share their insights, knowledge and
passion and build collecting communities. WorthPoint helps collectors
understand the history and value of their items and provides expert advice
on how to preserve or sell them. While it does not facilitate the bidding of
any items, WorthPoint provides information about upcoming auctions at its
partner auction houses.

In the 19th century, all manner of ways were found to show support for your candidate. The silk campaign ribbon was but one additional way to do that. Cowan’s Auctions featured this very unusual and quite scarce campaign ribbon for John Hartranft running on Abraham Lincoln’s memory during his campaigns for governor of Pennsylvania in 1872 and 1876. The estimated value was between $300 and $400. What was the final realized auction value in 2002?

A. $270
B. $575
C. $880

Well, yes. As the Sandifer family was headed to the American Presidential Experience in Denver, they passed by INVESCO Field the day after the acceptance speech of Senator Barack Obama. Samuel, age 14, noticed a large blue dumpster overflowing with the official Obama campaign signs, the ones not used by the 80,000 delegates and guests the previous night. There must have been thousands of them, all in rather perfect condition. All shouting “Change.”

Being the enterprising young guy he is, Samuel urged his dad to stop and pick up as many as they could carry, back to friends, family and for sale on the Internet. At $2 each, plus shipping, anyone and everyone can now support Barack Obama’s quest for change in Washington, D.C., and even help Samuel pay for his eventual business degree at Harvard.

Samuel Sandifer behind the Resolute Desk while little brother Peter has fun below it

Oh, and Peter, age 9, will eventually have his name on one of his own campaign signs. He is the family presidential historian, the one with the most interest and the one most eager for his family to visit the American Presidential Experience. You see, Peter has his room decorated in George Washington blue by choice and has an avid interest in all things presidential.

The future president of the United States, Peter Sandifer, already hard at work

Dad, Samuel, and mom, Suzanne, also have a strong interest in the history of America, which is why both sons share the same passion. These parents don’t have to struggle to tour historic sites with their two young sons. The sons usually lead the way.

See a video of the family’s forays into the dumpster at Sandifer Family Video.

Editor’s note: For their help in this unique “recycling” effort, the Sandifer family was treated to VIP access to the Air Force One and the Oval Office exhibits at the American Presidential Experience and a special tour by Worthologist Tom Carrier, who is a White House expert. It was the perfect reward for two future presidents.

At left, the Sandifers on Air Force One, on right, in the Oval Office.

WorthPoint — the premier Web site for art, antiques and collectibles

An “I Like Ike” button on your lapel told everyone where you stood on the issues of the day and for whom you intended to vote. It is an individual statement on an individual election. But can campaign buttons—or more specifically, campaign-button sales—be used as an accurate predictor of election results?

Jim Warlick, WorthPoint’s political Worthologist, has been conducting this unscientific poll since 1988, and his results have accurately predicted the president every year except for 2000.

Warlick, who is an expert in U.S. political and campaign memorabilia, had always thought that the sales of campaign buttons, placards and signs would be a better indicator of how an area was going to vote, as opposed to telephone polling, because in phone polls, there is no accounting for fibs and white lies told to pollsters to avoid embarrassment.

“People take it very seriously,” said Warlick, who tracks the sales of buttons at his store, Political Americana, and shows and political events around the country in compiling his statistics. “We tell them upfront that we are measuring this, and when you purchase the button, we are going to put that into a poll and release it to the press.

“Here’s the reason we think it works. If people are called in a telephone poll, they may say they intend to vote, but they may not. A lot of people are ashamed to say they aren’t going to vote. If somebody comes up and they intentionally give you $3 for a button, and they know that that button is being tallied and released to the national press, then it’s pretty reliable. Literally, they are putting their money where their mouth is.”

Warlick started his button poll on a lark in 1988 when he was in Iowa for the Democratic and Republican caucuses. “I had been selling political buttons for years at rallies, and I thought, ‘Why not start measuring this and see if there is any correlation between what people buy and the way the results turn out.’”

So based on his button polling that January, Warlick’s successfully predicted that Pat Robertson would finished second behind George H.W. Bush, a shocker to everyone else. The button poll “knocked it out of the park,” Warlick said. “I beat the Des Moines Register. I was the only one to pick up the Pat Robertson vote.”

Warlick has been out every four years since, tracking button sales to predict the next president. His poll has been spot on in every election since 1988, except for razor-thin 2000 election where George W. Bush lost the popular vote but won the Electoral College vote over Al Gore. For that mistake, Warlick said, “We say we can’t account for buttons that don’t get counted.”

This year Warlick said that there are some anomalies in the button sales, a direct result of John McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential running mate.

“We did see a bump up in McCain-Palin in the first week of September, the second week of September. That’s faded off now,” Warlick said, adding that while Barack Obama is still holding a lead, it’s not as wide as it was this summer. “In the summer, it was 8-to-2 Obama, but now it’s about 6-to-4 Obama.

“We’ve never seen before where a VP candidate has pushed the ticket up or down in any way. We were getting a lot more requests for Obama material as opposed to McCain. But when he added Palin to the ticket, people not only wanted more McCain-Palin, they actually wanted just Palin campaign buttons,” Warlick said. “The lower part of the McCain-Palin ticket is more popular than the top of the ticket. We’d never seen that before.”

Warlick releases the results of his poll on the day before the national election, so on Nov. 3, we’ll get a look at which candidate’s buttons sold best, and, therefore, will be—according to the poll—the next president.

If you’re interested in collecting campaign buttons, be sure to see visit GoAntiques, WorthPoint’s partner site.

And be sure to view the Campaign Buttons: An Election Poll video.

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

This 1-inch Iowa button comes from Senator Biden’s short-lived 2008 presidential campaign. He dropped out after finishing a distance fifth in the Iowa caucuses. There also exists similar buttons with the outlines of New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. From the time of his withdrawal to immediately prior to Obama selecting Biden as his running mate, this button was worth about $2. Now, there is renewed interest in Biden buttons. The current value of this button is:

A. $5
B. $10
C. $20

This is another one of those lots that come up frequently either at auctions, flea markets or yard sales. Do we want all of them or just one or two of the best ones? Still, it is necessary to sometimes take them all to get at the ones we really want. This particular lot features campaign pinback buttons of several campaigns such as those of Eisenhower, Nixon, Roosevelt, Stevenson, Goldwater and many local and state candidates, too. We obviously want the presidential candidates, but what was the final offer for this entire lot as auctioned by Susanin’s Auctions in 2008?

A. $31
B. $12
C. $92

The Camelot that was the White House in the early 1960s is evidenced by this commercially produced plate of President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jackie. There were a couple of minor condition issues with the plate and with some minor rust issues with the campaign pinbacks from the 1960 campaign. Still, for a beginner, this makes for a nice lot for later trading and upgrades. What was the final auction value for the entire lot by Auctions Neopolitan of Florida in 2004?

A. $7
B. $26
C. $20

Throughout presidential campaigns, especially in the 19th century, many unusual items have been offered with the images of the leading candidates and their campaign slogans. This is a silk scarf created for the 1892 campaign of Grover Cleveland and Adlai E. Stevenson. (Stevenson was the grandfather of the Democratic standard bearer in 1952 and 1956, Adlai Stevenson.) It shows the images of both candidates and the slogan of “Tariff Reform.” Somewhat scarce in such good condition, what was the final auction price realized in 2005?

A. $176
B. $90
C. $252