Army and Navy Union

[jmar]

Hello everyone,

 

Here is a beautifully enameled lapel device for a member of the Army and Navy Union. A veterans' organization that has a long history dating back to the 1880's. I'm not sure of the era of this particular piece. The back is the screwback lapel button, there are no marks on the emblem or the screwback. The workmanship is very fine. Here is a short history from the Together We Served website, thanks to them for sharing this info:

 

At the time it was founded, this organization filled a vital need, the need for a coordinated, united effort by all veterans to aid the soldiers and sailors coming home from the wars to readjust themselves to civilian life. It still fills that need.....and many more.

One of the first recorded Service organizations came into being as far back as 1841, "to alleviate suffering and need among returned soldiers and sailors." Later veterans' organizations of every kind and description were formed in various communities, none having connection with any of the others. During this period were born "The General Society of the War of 1812," " The Grand Army of the Republic," 'The Order of Indian Wars," and others, all with the same general purpose. However, they linited their membership, each to a certain group, and excluded all others. In this process, a very large number of ex-servicemen were left unable to join any of them and enjoy their benefits.

In 1886, men of vision realized that these exclusive organizations would become extinct at the death of their members, and that their work in behalf of Veterans and for the good of the Nation would then come to an end. They advanced the idea of a PERMANENT National Organization for ALL Veterans. Under the leadership of Peter Lacher, Louis Renkert and George Russell Downs, they founded an organization open to ALL who had served honorably in the armed forces or who were still in uniform to "Promote loyalty to the country, assemble comrades in order to perpetuate a spirit of fraternity, present social affairs, and befriend ex-servicemen and woman who might need help in securing employment, in caring for the sick, and in burying their dead. This organization is known as: THE ARMY AND NAVY UNION USA

 

With such a long history I'm sure there are many variations of this lapel button, so please feel free to add them!

 

Thank you all for reading! My best to you all,

 

Joe

 

 

 

[USAFnav]

Joe, I've got one just like it, with the button back affixed and not screwed on. I would guess these date from 1890s. I have, somewhere, an ASMIC or OMSA article about this group's insignia. You're right, a beautiful example from the days when people took pride in wearing these types of insignia, and jewelers took great care in their production. Thanks for posting,

Pete

[cutiger83]

Joe,

 

Another great lapel button. You are really showing some beauties! The history behind these buttons is just as interesting as the items themselves. Thank you so much for the research as well as posting another beauty!

 

...Kat

[USAFnav]

Joe and Kat,

Here's my lapel button, a variation. RA&NU -- Regular Army and Navy Union. One-piece button back.

Pete

 

[USAFnav]

And here's a very nice example, probably dating from the 1930s (?) -- Army and Navy Union. Nicely made and marked by Bastian Brothers, screw back. The photo doesn't do justice to the workmanship -- the main emblem is affixed separately to the design, very nicely done.

Pete

 

[Leatherwringer]

Here is mine, unknown maker

 

[cutiger83]

Pete,

 

Two beautiful examples! Thanks for posting these. It is interesting that there is one that says "regular army" and one that does not.

 

Leatherwringer,

 

Since your picture is stored outside of the forum and not uploaded, I can't see it. I am sure it is nice looking too.

 

....Kat