1889 BENJAMIN HARRISON OFFICIAL INAUGURAL MEDAL BADGE

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Rare, 1889, Benjamin Harrison / Levi Morton, Presidential Inauguration Committee Badge / Pin featuring a 1 1/2", double sided Medallion that is the official design to the Official 1889 Inauguration Medal - the first Inauguration to be Commemorated with an Officially Commissioned Inaugural Medal. This very attractive, 1889 Inauguration Badge / Pin measures approx. 1 1/2" across the figural Bar Pin and 2 3/8" long overall. Two elements make up this wonderful, 1889 Harrison / Morton Inauguration Committee Badge. At the top there is a gold gilt surface, brass figural, die cut Bar Pin in the form of a spread wing eagle. Suspended from the talons of the eagle by a small brass ring is a double sided Medallion / Medal. The obverse of the Medal features a highly raised, bust portrait of George Washington with the date, 1789, below the portrait (1889 was the centennial of the first Presidential Inauguration - that of George Washington). At the left and right hand side of the bust there is text that reads "United States / Of America". The obverse features raided bust portraits of President Harrison and Vice President Morton with a Federal Shield above and the date 1889 below. A banner between the portraits features text that reads "Harrison and Morton". The Medallion is struck in brass with a gold gilt surface. The origins of the Medal attached to this Badge can be found in the treatise titled "The History of the Inaugural Medal" by H. Joseph Levine. We reproduce excerpts from that History here: "While the first Official Inaugural medal did not make its appearance until 1901, its antecedents go far back into history... The inauguration of Benjamin Harrison in 1889 had added significance because it was also the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington. For this special occasion, the committee not only ordered a ribbon badge identifying the wearer's committee assignment, but it also attached a medal to that badge. The obverse of the medal portrayed the busts of President Harrison and Vice President Morton and the date 1889, while the reverse bore a bust of Washington and the date, 1789. This was the first inaugural medal issued with the official sanction of the Official Inaugural Committee.". While it is likely that the Badge offered here may have originally had an attached silk ribbon designating the Inaugural Committeeman's function, it is obvious that the Medal found on this badge is the same Medal referred to in the Article above. This wonderful piece of Political Americana came to us as part of a simply mind-blowing "accumulation" of Campaign Pins from the estate of an antique dealer who collected these items in the 1960's and 1970's. The items from this group are fresh to the market and have not seen the light of day for 35 to 50 years. We have never seen so many ferrotypes, sulfides, mechanicals, etc. in one place before and we are proud to be offering these rare and in some cases VERY important items, without reserve, at our weekly auctions over the next few week. This rare Benjamin Harrison / Levi Morton., Presidential Inauguration Badge / Pin is in very good to excellent, original condition. Both elements are without physical damage and both retain a significant amount of their original, gold gilt surface finish. The Inaugural Medal has some surface gilt loss and some VERY light wear to the highest spots of the strongly raised surfaces. A very rare and important, 1889 Benjamin Harrison / Levi Morton, Presidential Inauguration Committee Badge with attached Official Inaugural Committee Medal and a fantastic addition to any Political Americana collection!!! Overseasshippping is extra and cost will be quoted at bidders request. Massachusetts residents must add 5% sales tax. Insurance is required on all items selling for $400 or more and optional on items selling for under $400 (but highly recommended. If you do not want insurance please let us know. Please check out other early and interesting items offered by this seller on ebay. .. read more

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