This 7/8” celluloid-covered lapel stud has to be one of the earliest items of the 1896 campaign. While the scroll design on the front reads “Made In The United States,” curiously there is no maker’s name but on the curl is the text “Patent Allowed April 25, 1896.” This date does not match any of the patent dates awarded to Whitehead & Hoag. In any case, one of the earliest McKinley campaign items and without a doubt the first time the word “Button” was used on a celluloid-covered lapel device. Historically interesting and essentially Mint. Comes with Hake’s COA.