KevinBeyer Posted July 4, 2007 Share #1 Posted July 4, 2007 Hello, All, I just recently obtained an 1898 G.A.R. Department of Illinois Annual Encampment badge for the reunion held in Streator, Illinois. The ribbon is unattached, so I do not know if it is original. I thought that these Department encampment badges were typically on one solid color ribbon. My thoughts on the matter were that red, white, and blue ribbons were for guests of the encampment. Does anyone have any information they could provide? Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted May 9, 2010 Author Share #2 Posted May 9, 2010 New additions to the collection: 1901 - Peoria, Illinois It identifies Joel M. Longenecker as Department Commander 1900 It is unclear to me if this medal is missing a suspension bar immediately above the pendant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted May 9, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted May 9, 2010 New additions to the collection: 1916 - Decatur, Illinois 50th Encampment It identifies John M. Snyder as Department Commander 1915 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted May 9, 2010 Author Share #4 Posted May 9, 2010 New additions to the collection: 1917 - Bloomington, Illinois It identifies W. F. Calhoun as Department Commander 1916 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamblelane Posted November 6, 2010 Share #5 Posted November 6, 2010 My great grandfather was in the Pinckneyville Post, died in 1898 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted November 6, 2010 Author Share #6 Posted November 6, 2010 My great grandfather was in the Pinckneyville Post, died in 1898 How interesting! Do you have any of his militaria that could be shared with everyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted March 11, 2011 New additions to the collection: 1908 - Quincy, Illinois It identifies A. G. Matthews as Department Commander 1907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted March 11, 2011 New additions to the collection: 1911 - Joliet, Illinois It identifies Major James A. Connolly as Department Commander 1911 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted March 11, 2011 New additions to the collection: 1918 - Peoria, Illinois It identifies G.S. Bentley as Department Commander 1917 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted March 11, 2011 New additions to the collection: 1919 - Rockford, Illinois This one makes a clear departure from what was the preeminent form for these Department of Illinois badges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share #11 Posted March 11, 2011 New additions to the collection: 1920 - Joliet, Illinois It identifies H.D. Fulton as Department Commander 1919 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share #12 Posted March 11, 2011 New additions to the collection: 1924 - Champaign, Illinois It identifies W. J. Libberton as Department Commander 1913 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry K. Posted March 13, 2011 Share #13 Posted March 13, 2011 Hi Kevin, The Rockford one is weird. It uses the same for the medallion as early 1900's Illinois NG insignia, the state seal. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted March 14, 2011 A possible reason could be for purposes of economy after WWI? Maybe they used parts from other contracted badges and its only distinction is the printing on the ribbon? 53RD ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT GAR DEPARTMENT OF ILLINOIS JUNE 10-11-12 1919 Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCF-Collector Posted March 14, 2011 Share #15 Posted March 14, 2011 A possible reason could be for purposes of economy after WWI? Maybe they used parts from other contracted badges and its only distinction is the printing on the ribbon? I would offer another possible explanation. This 1919 badge reminds me of many of the WWI Service medals being issued about that time (City, Town, County, State, et al). It could be that the design of this badge (the drop design, the scalloped shape of the drop, and the bright finish in general) was a reflection of this general patriotic fever of the era - including the use of the NG symbol. Just another possibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted April 17, 2011 Author Share #16 Posted April 17, 2011 New additions to the collection: 1905 - Rockford, Illinois It identifies Robert Man Woods as Department Commander 1904 Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share #17 Posted May 21, 2011 New additions to the collection: 1909 - Aurora, Illinois It identifies J. Rosenbaum as Department Commander 1908 I like the way the silvered pendant piece captures the likeness of the G.A.R. Hall Post #20 in Aurora. The picture along side of it is how the building looks today. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share #18 Posted May 21, 2011 I should mention that this reunion badge would normally have been backed by a Red, White, and Blue ribbon. But, it came in tatters as I received it. I would like to find a decent replacement ribbon for it some day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted May 21, 2011 Share #19 Posted May 21, 2011 Very nice collection Kevin. Illinois GAR pieces are many and varied. The reunion medals I always felt were well made and of high quality for the time. I used to collect them myself some years ago. I live in Decatur, Ill the place where the GAR was founded, Post #1. There is a plaque downtown to commemorate this, but the building is long gone. I visited the GAR museum in Springfield a couple of years ago. I think they were struggling with funding and it may have closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted December 10, 2011 Author Share #20 Posted December 10, 2011 New additions to the collection: 1909 - Aurora, Illinois This one has a suspension bar that reads OFFICIAL as opposed to the previous one posted which reads REPRESENTATIVE. I know that there is a third version of this badge, but I cannot remember what the suspension bar reads. If anyone has it, please post a picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share #21 Posted May 13, 2012 New additions to the collection: 1907 - Decatur, Illinois It identifies Edwin H. Buck as Department Commander 1906 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share #22 Posted May 13, 2012 New additions to the collection: 1904 - Springfield, Illinois It identifies Benson Wood as Department Commander 1903 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share #23 Posted May 13, 2012 New additions to the collection: 1913 - Alton, Illinois It identifies Thomas H. Gault as Department Commander 1912 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share #24 Posted May 13, 2012 New additions to the collection: 1914 - Mattoon, Illinois It identifies J. H. Crowder as Department Commander 1913 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBeyer Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share #25 Posted May 13, 2012 New additions to the collection: 1926 - Springfield, Illinois It identifies Orrin R. McKenney as Department Commander 1925 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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