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G.A.R. Dept of Illinois Reunion Badges


KevinBeyer
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KevinBeyer

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

1898GARDeptIllStreator.jpg

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  • 2 years later...
KevinBeyer

New additions to the collection:

 

1901 - Peoria, Illinois

 

It identifies Joel M. Longenecker as Department Commander 1900

 

GAR_ILL_1901_Peoria.jpg

 

It is unclear to me if this medal is missing a suspension bar immediately above the pendant.

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KevinBeyer

New additions to the collection:

 

1916 - Decatur, Illinois

50th Encampment

 

It identifies John M. Snyder as Department Commander 1915

 

GAR_ILL_1916_Decatur.jpg

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KevinBeyer

New additions to the collection:

 

1917 - Bloomington, Illinois

 

It identifies W. F. Calhoun as Department Commander 1916

 

GAR_ILL_1917_Bloomington.jpg

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  • 5 months later...
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?

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  • 4 months later...

New additions to the collection:

 

1908 - Quincy, Illinois

 

It identifies A. G. Matthews as Department Commander 1907

 

1908GARDeptIllQuincy_600.jpg

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1911 - Joliet, Illinois

 

It identifies Major James A. Connolly as Department Commander 1911

 

1911GARDeptIllJoliet_600.jpg

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1918 - Peoria, Illinois

 

It identifies G.S. Bentley as Department Commander 1917

 

1918GARDeptIllPeoria_600.jpg

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1919 - Rockford, Illinois

 

This one makes a clear departure from what was the preeminent form for these Department of Illinois badges.

 

1919GARDeptIllRockford_600.jpg

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1920 - Joliet, Illinois

 

It identifies H.D. Fulton as Department Commander 1919

 

1920GARDeptIllJoliet_600.jpg

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1924 - Champaign, Illinois

 

It identifies W. J. Libberton as Department Commander 1913

 

1924GARDeptIllChampaign_600.jpg

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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

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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

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SCF-Collector
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.

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  • 1 month later...

New additions to the collection:

 

1905 - Rockford, Illinois

 

It identifies Robert Man Woods as Department Commander 1904

 

1905GARDeptIllRockford_600.jpg

 

Kevin

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  • 1 month later...
KevinBeyer

New additions to the collection:

 

1909 - Aurora, Illinois

 

1909GARDeptIllAurora_600.jpg GARPost20_090812_a.jpg

 

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

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KevinBeyer

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.

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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.

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  • 6 months later...

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.

 

GAR_ILL_1909_Aurora_Official_800.jpg

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  • 5 months later...
KevinBeyer

New additions to the collection:

 

1907 - Decatur, Illinois

 

It identifies Edwin H. Buck as Department Commander 1906

 

1907GARDeptIllDecatur_600.jpg

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KevinBeyer

New additions to the collection:

 

1904 - Springfield, Illinois

 

It identifies Benson Wood as Department Commander 1903

 

1904GARDeptIllSpringfield_600.jpg

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KevinBeyer

New additions to the collection:

 

1913 - Alton, Illinois

 

It identifies Thomas H. Gault as Department Commander 1912

 

1913GARDeptIllAltoona_600.jpg

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KevinBeyer

New additions to the collection:

 

1914 - Mattoon, Illinois

 

It identifies J. H. Crowder as Department Commander 1913

 

1914GARDeptIllMatoon_600.jpg

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KevinBeyer

New additions to the collection:

 

1926 - Springfield, Illinois

 

It identifies Orrin R. McKenney as Department Commander 1925

 

1926GARDeptIllSpringfield_600.jpg

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