Labour memorabilia expo - exploratory thread
I've been collecting buttons for a long time. In the last few years I've been focusing my attention on older union dues pins and other pre:Rand formula items like dues books and cards. I really like that stuff because a) it harkens back to the time before the Rand formula and automatic dues check off. In other words, the members had to pay their dues directly to the union. This was often done at the plant gate. Many unions gave members a dues button that they could wear to show they were up to date. I also like a lot of the union button artwork from the 30s and 40s.
USWA dues pin Teamsters dues pin
I've been talking with a couple of people exploring the idea of a fairly informal labour memorabilia and historical artificats expo AND button / pin trading "fair" at the next Ontario Federation of Labour convention in November. I'm looking for potential exhibitors before making a formal proposal. Display time would probably be no more than 2 hours while the OFL is not meeting.
If you've got some things and you're interested in participating, please contact me
garyshaul AT gmail.com
Bump! This looks amazing. I don't have anything, but if you hold it, I'll go!
This does look pretty amazing. I'm always up for checking out cool buttons and memorabilia. I live in Winnipeg though, and don't think I have much of value to trade anyways.
I have a bunch of 100th anniversary IWW buttons and a few buttons from recent campus strikes, but other than that, not a hell of a lot. And nothing that's really worth anything. But I'd be happy to mail you something if you're interested...
Genstrike - side question - do the wobblie buttons have a union bug? Just curious because I recently got what's supposed to be an older IWW button but it didn't have a printers bug on it.
I would certainly trade you for one. I'll send you a private email with address.
FOLLOWUP: For those of you attending the upcoming OFL convention (or if you work nearby), the Workers Arts & Heritage Centre is hosting a:
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Bring your historic union buttons, pins and ribbons to the OFL Convention to show and trade:
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at lunch break at the Workers Arts & Heritage Centre labour heritage display.
Sheraton Centre - across from City Hall - Bottom of the escalator on the convention level
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I'll have a couple of shadowboxes with some interesting old dues buttons (like the ones at the top of this thread) and convention ribbons.