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Winthrop Topliff Doolittle, Sr., button collection
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Held at: University of Delaware Library Special Collections [Contact Us]181 South College Avenue, Newark, DE 19717-5267
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Delaware Library Special Collections. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Winthrop Topliff Doolittle, Sr., was born on January 22, 1895, in Meriden, Connecticut. Doolittle attended the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, graduating in 1916. In 1917, Doolittle enlisted as a medic in the American Expeditionary Force. Before serving in World War I, Doolittle married Olive Carter Austin of New Haven, Connecticut, with whom he eventually had four daughters and one son, Winthrop Doolittle, Jr., who later attended Yale University.
"Doc" Doolittle, as he was known, settled in Milford, Connecticut, after the war to practice dentistry. He continued to work in this field for 48 years, dying in Milford on October 26, 1967.
Throughout his life, Doolittle became an avid collector of stamps, coins, early American radios, and late-nineteenth to mid-twentieth century campaign buttons and related memorabilia.
Information provided by the donor.
The Winthrop Topliff Doolittle, Sr., button collections contains approximately 200 political campaign, tobacco and advertising pin-back buttons, pins and medals, the bulk of which date between 1892 and 1920.
The collection is divided into five thematic series:
Series I, Advertising buttons, includes buttons advertising different products and services, as well as collectable buttons sold with products such as cigarettes.
Series II, Yale University pins and buttons, most of which likely relate to Winthrop Doolittle Jr., who attended Yale University.
Series III, Political buttons, include buttons from both presidnetal candidates and candidates for state and local office.
Series IV, Commemorative buttons, pins, badges and medals, feature special buttons relating to the Grand Army of the Republic, the Spanish American War and other commemorative events.
Series V, Miscellaneous buttons and pins, include a variety of buttons, pins and charms that do not fall into the topical categories of series I-IV.
Most of the buttons in this collection are celluloid pin-back buttons. Pin-back buttons are buttons which can be affixed to garments via a pin mechanism on the back of the button. This allows the front surface to carry an image or text. The first US patent for pin-back buttons was issued in the 1890s. These early buttons were made by adding celluloid over a photograph or text to protect the image from scratching, then attaching the fastening mechanism to the back of the pin.
Buttons, especially campaign buttons, have been in use since the end of the eighteenth century; however, the new celluloid pin-back buttons were cheap and easy to make, leading to an increase in their popularity. By 1898 pin-back button were used in advertising by chewing gum and tobacco compaines. The 1896 presidential campaign between William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan saw the first widespread use of buttons for political campaigning.
"A Short History of Pin-back Buttons - The Button Guy Blog." July 1, 2011. https://peoplepowerpress.org/blogs/news/3506742-a-short-history-of-pin-back-buttons-the-button-guy-blog (accessed February 2020).
Boxes 1-2: Shelved in SPEC MSS manuscript boxes (3 inch)
Gift of Jonathan Briggs Jeffrey, March 2019
Processed and encoded by John Caldwell, February 2020.
Organization
Subject
- Advertising--History--19th century
- Advertising, Political--United States
- Political campaigns--United States--History--20th century
- Spanish-American War, 1898
- Patriotism in art
Place
- Publisher
- University of Delaware Library Special Collections
- Finding Aid Author
- University of Delaware Library, Special Collections
- Finding Aid Date
- 2020 February 14
- Access Restrictions
-
The collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
-
Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library, https://library.udel.edu/static/purl.php?askspec
Collection Inventory
Variety of late nineteenth and early twentieth century pin-back buttons, advertising products or sold as collectable items accompanying products such as chewing gum or tobacco products.
May be related to
The King's Business, a conservative Christian publication out of Los Angeles in the early 20th century.May be related to
The King's Business, a conservative Christian publication out of Los Angeles in the early 20th century. The front image is scaling and parts are at risk of peeling off.Shows image of a Winchester pump action shotgun.
Two identical buttons are in the collection.
Two identical buttons are in the collection.
Three identical buttons are in the collection.
Features image of a woman holding a can of milk standing next to a cow.
Image based on the "Buster Brown" cartoons created in 1902 y Richard F. Outcault. Licensed for use by the Brown Shoe Company in 1904. May be an advertising button for hose supporters manufactured and sold by the Brown Shoe Company.
Shows an image of a brake assembly.
Believed to be a button advertising for Force Cereal. Includes an image of the character "Sunny Jim" with a black and yellow background.
Advertising pin-back button for Pearline soap.
Pin with ice clamps. The saying is also the title of a vaudeville song, and was later used as an advertising slogan.
This subseries consists of collectable buttons sold with tobacco products in late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Many of these buttons feature the slogan "I'm the guy..." followed by a joke. The "I'm the guy" phrase was coined by cartoonist Rube Goldberg, circa 1910. The phrase was used in a variety of marketing campaigns. For many of these buttons, the brand of cigarettes can be found on the back side of the button.
Perfection Cigarettes.
Clix Cigarettes.
Hassan Cigarettes. This one features a Goldberg illustration.
Clix Cigarettes.
Hassan Cigarettes.
Sweet Caporal Cigarettes.
Tokio Cigarettes. This one features a Goldberg illustration.
Clix Cigarettes.
Clix Cigarettes.
Clix Cigarettes.
Clix Cigarettes.
Unknown cigarette brand.
Tokio Cigarettes. This one features a Goldberg illustration.
Tokio Cigarettes.
Tokio Cigarettes. This one features a Goldberg illustration.
Hassan Cigarettes.
Hassan Cigarettes.
Hassan Cigarettes.
Perfection Cigarettes.
Perfection Cigarettes.
Perfection Cigarettes.
In the same style as the Perfection Cigarettes buttons found in this collection. There is no brand listed on the reverse.
Sweet Caporal Cigarettes.
Sweet Caporal Cigarettes.
Sweet Caporal Cigarettes.
In the same style as the Perfection Cigarettes buttons found in this collection with state icons/illustrations.
Sweet Caporal Cigarettes.
Sweet Caporal Cigarettes.
Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. There are two identical buttons in the collection.
Sweet Caporal Cigarettes.
Sweet Caporal Cigarettes.
Sweet Caporal Cigarettes.
In the same style as the Perfection Cigarettes buttons found in this collection with national/regional flags.
In the same style as the Perfection Cigarettes buttons found in this collection with national/regional flags.
These buttons represent a series of commemorative buttons created and distributed by the Pepsin Gum Company in New Jersey.
Two identical buttons are in the collection.
Doolittle's son Winthrop attended Yale University.
Believed to have been created and distributed by the American Pepsin Gum Company in New Jersey.
Believed to have been created and distributed by the American Pepsin Gum Company in New Jersey.
Believed to have been created and distributed by the American Pepsin Gum Company in New Jersey.
Believed to have been created and distributed by the American Pepsin Gum Company in New Jersey.
Portrait of assassinated President William McKinley, who died in 1901.
Commemorative heart-shaped souvenir medal with a portrait of Theodore Roosevelt.
Black and white portrait of William McKinley, 25th President of the United States.
Button for the 1896 Republican Party presidential ticket, featuring Presidential candidate William McKinley and his running mate Garret Hobart.
Pin-back button with black and white portrait of William Jennings Bryan, Democratic candidate for President of the United States in 1896, 1900 and 1908.
Button for the 1900 Republican Party presidential ticket, featuring incumbent President William McKinley and his running mate, Theodore Roosevelt.
Black and white portrait of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States.
Black and white portrait of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States. Pin resembles a life preserver.
Roosevelt portrait with pillared archway and American flag in background.
Metal button with three dimensional image of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the Untied States. Border surrounding the image says "United States of America."
Pin is a replica of a military hat with "Roosevelt" written on the brim.
Color portrait of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States.
Color portrait of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States.
Portraits of the 1904 Republican Party ticket for President of the United States, featuring incumbent President Theodore Roosevelt and his running mate, Charles Fairbanks, then a United States Senator from Indiana.
Ribbon is very fragile.
Alton Parker was a judge, and was the Democratic nominee for the 1904 presidential election, losing to incumbent President Theodore Roosevelt. There are two identical buttons in the collection, one smaller than the other.
Alton B. Parker and Henry G. Davis were the Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates (respectively) in the 1904 election.
Alton Parker was a judge, and was the Democratic nominee for the 1904 presidential election, losing to incumbent President Theodore Roosevelt. There are two identical buttons in the collection, one smaller than the other.
Alton Parker was a judge, and was the Democratic nominee for the 1904 presidential election, losing to incumbent President Theodore Roosevelt. There are two identical buttons in the collection, one smaller than the other.
Alton B. Parker and Henry G. Davis were the Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates (respectively) in the 1904 election. Button shows the portraits surrounded by red, white and blue bunting.
Egene Wilder Chafin was the Prohibition Party candidate for President of the United States in 1908 and 1912, losing to William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson, respectively.
William Howard Taft, 27th President of the United States, campaign button.
William Howard Taft, 27th President of the United States, campaign button.
William Howard Taft, 27th President of the United States, campaign button.
Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States, campaign button.
Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States, campaign button.
Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States, campaign button.
Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States, campaign button.
Theodore Roosevelt initial button.
Charles Evan Hughes, Sr., served as 11th Chief Justice of the United States (1930-1941), Secretary of State (1921-1925), Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (1910-1916), and governor of New York (1907-1910). Hughes was the Republican nominee for President of the United States in 1916.
Campaign button for Alfred Emanuel Smith (Al Smith), four-term governor of New York and Democratic Party nominee for President of the United States in 1928.
Button features a portrait of then-Vice President Richard M. Nixon, Republican candidate for President of the United States in 1960. Button includes an American flag motif surrounding the portrait of Nixon.
Pin-back button featuring a black and white portrait of Barry Goldwater, the Republican candidate for President of the United States in 1964.
Button for Democratic ticket in the 2000 presidential election. Features black and white portraits of then-Vice President Al Gore, candidate for President, and his running mate, then-United States Senator Joe Lieberman.
Button with color photograph of Barak Obama, Democratic nominee and two-term President of the United States.
Campaign button for William Randolph Hearst, two-term congressman and unsuccessful candidate for mayor of New York City, governor of New York and President of the United States.
Purple "Gandalf for President" joke political button.
Abiram Chamberlain, a Republican, served as governor of Connecticut from 1903-1905. Button includes a black and white portrait of Chamberlain. There are three identical buttons in the collection.
A. Heaton Robertson, a Democrat, was a candidate for governor of Connecticut in both 1904 and 1908, losing in both elections. Button includes a black and white portrait of Robertson.
George L. Lilley, a Republican, served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (1903-1909), winning the election for governor of Connecticut in 1908. He died three months into his gubernatorial term. Button includes a black and white portrait of Lilley.
Frank Rice, a Republican, served three full terms as mayor of New Haven, CT starting in 1909. He died a few months into his fourth term in 1917. Button includes a black and white portrait of Rice.
Thomas L. Reilly, a Democrat, served two terms as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut (1911-1915). Button includes a black and white portrait of Reilly.
Thomas L. Reilly, a Democrat, served two terms as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut (1911-1915).
Believed to be related to Simeon Eben Baldwin, a Democrat, who was elected governor of Connecticut in 1910.
Three identical/near identical buttons are in the collection
Golden bull moose on a blue field. Political button for the Progressive Party (nicknames the "Bull Moose Party"), formed by former president Theodore Roosevelt in 1912, after failing to receive the Republican Party nomination to incumbent President William Howard Taft
Button advocating prohibition, issued by the No License League of Massachusetts.
Button advocating prohibition, issued by the No License League of Massachusetts.
Metal medal of the Eagle of the United States. The eagle's head is facing the arrows, not the olive branches.
Metal medal of a donkey, believed to be the symbol of the Democratic Party. The donkey has been a symbol of the Democratic party since 1870s.
Features a United States flag on a white field.
This series contains a variety of buttons, pins, badges and medals related to specific events or organizations.
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization made of service members from the American Civil War. This subseries also includes two medals commemorating Civil War soldier memorials in Connecticut and a New York cavalry pin.
Annual encampment was held in Boston in August, 1890. Red ribbon, commemorating Connecticut soldiers ("Connecticut" is visible at the top of the ribbon).
Barrel charm with red, white and blue ribbon reading "GAR, 61-90." The ribbon is no longer attached to the charm.
26th annual encampment was held in Washington, D.C. in 1892.
Commemorative ribbon honoring Naval Admiral Andrew Hull Foote from Connecticut. Light blue ribbon is tearing in multiple places.
The 33rd annual encampment was held in Philadelphia. This medal is shaped like the Liberty Bell.
The 33rd annual encampment was held in Philadelphia. This medal includes a red, white and blue ribbon with a charm commemorating the unveiling of the Ulysses s. Grant Statue in Philadelphia.
Pin shaped like a military hat. Date coincides with the Philadelphia encampment of the GAR.
Purple ribbon. Part of the dedication of a soldiers memorial in Wallingford, CT on October 23, 1902.
Includes red, white and blue ribbons.
Badge authorized by Congress to be work by Union Army veterans, featuring an eagle with crossed cannon, an American flag ribbon and a five-pointed star.
Depicts GAR seal.
Medal includes white ribbon and Massachusetts state seal.
Depicts two crossed muskets with "71 C, NY."
Most of the pins and badges in this subseries feature Admiral George Dewey, best known for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898.
Bow tie lapel pin which resembles an American flag. Hanging from the pin is a commemorative coin from the Dewey celebration in New York, September 28-30, 1899. The obverse shows Dewey and the date of the celebration, and the reverse shows the USS
Olympia. The coin is set inside an eight-pointed star medal.Pin is a replica USS
Olympia, with a commemorative coin hanging from the ship. The obverse shows a portrait of Dewey and the reverse shows the Olympia.Medal includes a red, white and blue ribbon, attached to which is a cross-shaped medal with a coin in its center. On the obverse is a portrait of George Dewey, and the reverse shows the USS
Olympia, Dewey's flag ship during the Battle of Manila Bay.Heart-shaped medal with the words "Welcome Hero of Manila" with a portrait of Admiral Dewey.
The pin is a cast of Admiral Dewey with the words "Our Hero". The pin is broken.
Commemorative pin-back button with a color image of the USS
Maine, which sank in Havana Harbor in 1899, contributing to the start of the Spanish-American War.Blue button commemorating the centennial of the founding of Meriden, Connecticut. May have come with a yellow, red and green ribbon. Ribbon is not attached to the button.
Pin-back button depicting a black and white image of Indian Neck, Connecticut.
Pin-back button commemorating the Hudson-Fulton Celebration, held in New York and New Jersey from September 25 to October 9, 1909, commemorating the 300th anniversary of Henry Hudson's discovery of the Hudson River and the 100th anniversary of Robert Fulton's use of a paddle steamer on the river. Button depicts a color image of New York City and a steamship, with portraits of Hudson and Fulton and the details of the celebration. A red, white and blue ribbon is attached to the button.
Blue and white pin-back button commemorating the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Text reads "White City. Everybody's happy. Opens May 25."
Button commemorating the Dental Manufacturers' Exhibit at Madison Square Garden, held from March 17-20, 1908. Includes an image of the exhibition building.
Pin resembling a car tire with wings at the top.
Button for the Undercliff Carnival, held on June 16-19, no year listed. Includes a picture of a building.
Blue button with gold lettering. Center of the button shows the letter "E." The Strong School is a school in New Haven, Connecticut.
Blue and white pin-back button with the name of the school, with a red and white image of what is believed to be the school crest.
Red and white star-shaped pin with gold lettering
Blue and white button.
Button shows a shield with an American flag motif and the Liberty Bell. Rally Day is a church celebration usually held in September at the start of the Sunday School time for churches.
Image of a baseball catcher on a gold button.
Image of a baseball pitcher on a gold button.
Golden pin with the face of a woman.
White button with black letters. The pin depicts a shirt, the word shirt does not appear on the button.
Blue button with white lettering. The meaning of "NCC" is unknown.
Button includes a sun with a rat standing on its hind legs on top of the sun. Text surrounds the image.
Any text or information from this button has disappeared.
Color image of a firefighter.
Text is surrounded by a black triangle. The meaning of the button is unknown.
Button is round with black text on a white field with a red-orange border.
Badge resembles a spiked helmet in silvered brass, with a bronze eagle insignia on the front and a bronze spike, suspended from an eagle lapel pin. Eagle's head is facing the arrows in its talons, not the olive branches.
Lapel pin with the name of the yacht, and a charm in the shape of the
Shamrock, including a green three leaf clover on the mast. The Shamrock lost of the Reliance in the 1903 America's Cup.Pin-back button showing an image of the yacht
Reliance, which defeated the Shamrock in the 1903 America's Cup.Pin-back button for the Grand Division of the Sons of Temperance, for an event in Meriden, Connecticut on October 22, 1903. Features the "Love, Purity, Fidelity" seal for the organization. Button also includes an American flag ribbon.
Badge commemorating a foresters excursion on Glen Island on September 3, 1904. Displays date of the excursion and the logo of the Foresters of America. Handing from the badge is a nut, hung from a gold, white and blue ribbon.
Pin-back button for an Elk's convention held in Philadelphia, July 14-20, 1907. Features a colored image of an elk head in front of a clock face.
A badge for the 1922 National Alumni Association of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery meeting. Name tag for Dr. W.T. Doolittle, from the class of 1916.
Orange and white pin-back button with the words "I.B. of B & H, December" written on it. Believed to be related to a union, but unsure which or for what purpose the button was created.
Glickstein Association member badge with "GA" medal suspended on an American flag ribbon from a lapel pin saying "Member." Also suspended from the lapel pin is a white ribbon and a purple ribbon; on the purple ribbon, in gold text, is the name of the union and "Glickstein Ass'n."
Round Elks button. Rim of the button resembles a clock face, with a dancing ballerina in a pink tutu dancing atop an elk head. Hanging from the button is a purple ribbon with the top a charm that has broken off. No documentation of what the charm was.
Depicts the Liberty Bell. Related to the Third Liberty Loan Act to sell bonds during World War I to raise revenue for the war effort.
Features a red bordered flag with four vertical blue stripes on a white field. Honor pin for those who purchased bonds from the fourth liberty loan program to raise revenue for World War I.
Anchor shaped lapel pin with round snuff bottle suspended from chains.
Charm shaped like a pick axe with a green bow.
A small wooden axe with red blade. Much of the text on the axe has faded, but "H.C.W.C." is still visible.
Antique silver/sterling silver cigar cutter with a lion's head on the side.
Tear-dropped shaped wooden charm with ribbon attached at the top.