KevinBeyer Posted June 27, 2012 Share #1 Posted June 27, 2012 While having a discussion with a fellow collector, the topic of Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) National Encampment "Official Souvenirs" came up. Does anyone know when the first National Encampment Official Souvenir made its appearance? Below are two examples. One is for the 1899 National Encampment in Philadelphia, PA. The other is for the 1900 National Encampment in Chicago, IL. Any information pertaining to these types of souvenirs would be greatly appreciated. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carthage light guard Posted June 27, 2012 Share #2 Posted June 27, 2012 A Collector's Identification and Price Guide for Grand Army of the Republic Memorabilia has a photo of a souvenir badge from the 27th National Encampment (Indianapolis, 1893), if that helps. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USAFnav Posted June 28, 2012 Share #3 Posted June 28, 2012 Kevin, I've never seen those, they sure are nice. Are there maker's marks on them? That would be a nice area of focus for collectors. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted June 28, 2012 Pete, Below are images of the two maker's marks from these badges. The 1899 Philadelphia was produced by Schwaab Stamp and Seal Company out of Milwaukee. The 1900 Chicago was produced by the SD Childs & Company out of Chicago. I know that Childs made all of the G.A.R. reunion badges for the 34th National Encampment. But, I don't know if Schwaab made all of the badges for the previous year. If anyone can shed any light on this subject, that would be great. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted June 28, 2012 A Collector's Identification and Price Guide for Grand Army of the Republic Memorabilia has a photo of a souvenir badge from the 27th National Encampment (Indianapolis, 1893), if that helps. Jeff Jeff, Is the photo of an "Official" souvenir, or simply a generic souvenir for that year? I am not sure when it started, but there can be dozens of souvenirs for any National Encampment. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carthage light guard Posted June 28, 2012 Share #6 Posted June 28, 2012 Kevin, That's a very good point. The Indianapolis 1893 badge only has a "souvenir" suspension bar, not "official souvenir." Sorry about that. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carthage light guard Posted June 28, 2012 Share #7 Posted June 28, 2012 Here's a 1898 Cincinnati example (32nd reunion, Sept. 5-10). It's marked "official souvenir" on the back. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USAFnav Posted June 29, 2012 Share #8 Posted June 29, 2012 Thanks for the maker information and photos Kevin. I've got old lapel buttons (non-military related) from both makers. Very interesting to see these old badges. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Sebring Posted June 29, 2012 Share #9 Posted June 29, 2012 Your pictured examples are much more finely detailed that the one I found metal detecting. This came out of the ground in Adrian, MI. One can assume the medal part slipped off the hanger ring. I can't see a makers mark anywhere on this "crude" example. I have a "SCHWAAB" commemorative that was a ladies pin dated 1912. It was for the "Mobilization and Entertainment of the U.S. Naval Fleet" and pictured Admiral Dewey's Flagship "Olympia" in the center medallion. It even has the Lord's Prayer inscribed on the back in micro script visible only with a magnifying glass. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted June 30, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted June 30, 2012 My guess, Greg, is that this dug item began life as some sort of souvenir token and not a souvenir badge. It appears that the hole where the suspension ring might go was drilled after the fact as you can see that the lettering is illegible it its location. Artistic designers would work around a feature such as the location where a pendant would meet its suspension. My thoughts is that someone most likely took this coin and drilled a hole in it, possibly to create a watch fob. It is an interesting piece, to be sure, but I am not certain it was part of an official souvenir of the Silver Encampment of 1891. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted November 25, 2013 Author Share #11 Posted November 25, 2013 As a means of documenting more identified G.A.R. "Official Souvenirs", here is the 1912 Los Angeles Official Souvenir. These images were taken from a publicly viewed website and are displayed under fair use guidelines. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted December 9, 2013 Share #12 Posted December 9, 2013 While having a discussion with a fellow collector, the topic of Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) National Encampment "Official Souvenirs" came up. Does anyone know when the first National Encampment Official Souvenir made its appearance? Below are two examples. One is for the 1899 National Encampment in Philadelphia, PA. The other is for the 1900 National Encampment in Chicago, IL. GAROffic...ouvenirs.jpg Any information pertaining to these types of souvenirs would be greatly appreciated. Kevin Kevin. This badge is in our local antique mall at $75 plus tax. I am tempted to buy it but don't know what they are worth. Researching it I found this thread and notice you picture an "Official Souvenir" from 1900 Chicago. Well, the one I am posting is also "Official Souvenir" 1900 Chicago. You can see they are different. This one has a bar on the back of the pinback top that indicates it probably had a ribbon at one time. Also stamped on it is 8th 27 and JUDGE. On the back is a lot of information but I don't recall the maker but it said it was guaranteed to be made from captured canons. I have had other items made from "captured canons" but they were phoney, but I don't think this badge is. What do you think about the price and what the badge was used for with the JUDGE on it. Thanks, keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted December 9, 2013 Share #13 Posted December 9, 2013 Comparing both 1900 badges. The one I posted is shaped the same as yours but the 'white' items have been removed or else were not installed and in their place is the stamped "8th 27 JUDGE". Also the pin bar on mine is an eagle and I am thinking this is not the original pin bar and that yours is the original pin bar. keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted December 10, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted December 10, 2013 Keith, I am sorry to tell you that there are many things wrong with the piece you have shown. First, someone has replaced the top suspension bar. The jump ring that connects the suspension bar to the pendant is not original. Second, the aluminum band which features Grant, Lincoln, and Logan has been removed. You can see the notches where it was supposed to be. Lastly, the only part of this piece that is original, the pendant, has the crude stamped lettering on it. $75 is a fair price (current retail) for this piece if it was 100% original. As it is, in my opinion, it is absolutely worthless as a result of all that has been done to it. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted December 10, 2013 Share #15 Posted December 10, 2013 Thanks Kevin. When I first saw it I was interested. But after seeing your example and noting the differences you pointed out I no longer care for it. This is one of the few times I used my phone camera and actually researched something before laying down the credit card and I am glad I did. Thanks again,keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CampSutton Posted December 10, 2013 Share #16 Posted December 10, 2013 I have a very detailed 300 page Souvenir book of the 1890 Boston Twenty Fourth National Encampment. I did a quick scan through it and did not see a Souvenir of the type being discussed pictured. Jack (CampSutton) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share #17 Posted December 30, 2013 1898 Cincinnati Official Souvenir Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share #18 Posted March 23, 2014 1904 Boston Official Souvenir Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share #19 Posted March 23, 2014 1902 Washington DC Official Souvenir Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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