Hake’s Auctions is known for presenting an impressive selection of political and historical material in their premier events. In Auction #225, which closed on November 13-15, 2018, they sold a host of ribbons, ephemera, and important buttons from across American history.

Leading the button sales was a Hughes/Fairbanks 1-3/4” jugate button on Erie County New York Ribbon that reached $14,278. Listed as Hake #3002, this example is suspended from an Erie County Republican Committee 1916 ribbon with ornate brass hanger with a member cello. It also still has the Ehrman Mfg. Co. back paper.

One surprise was the rare 1896 Bryan/Altgeld/Noonan Chicago, Illinois trigate coattail button that rose to $12,980 over an estimate of $2,000-$5,000. Featuring a sketch portrait of the candidates on cream background, the 1-1/2” button maintained the Geraghty Mfg. Co. Chicago back paper.

An impressive Vote Kennedy Congress button reached $10,384. The 2-1/8” button from the 1946 Massachusetts 11th District Congressional campaign promoted JFK’s first political campaign.

A rare Roosevelt Bull Moose oval cartoon button Hake #281 hammered for $9,994. The 1” x 1-3/8” pin depicts a cartoon of Theodore Roosevelt in Rough Rider hat with moose antlers, donkey ears, and an elephant’s trunk and has a metal back with horizontal bar.

“Overall it was another great selection of material, and the bidders respected it with their dollars. The political market remains strong and Hake’s remains the leader especially when it comes to celluloid buttons. It was really exciting to see so many new bidders mix it up with the veteran collectors making for an outstanding event,” Hake’s Americana Specialist Scott Mussell said.

Prices include the 18% buyer’s premium. All of the prices realized within the political and historical memorabilia can be viewed on Hake’s website.