Beschreibung:

Title: Very rare memorial pin, ca. 1898, for Texas Black Republican leader – possibly the first African-American political pin Author: Place: Publisher: Date: Description: Original red, white and blue political pin, 3 cm., with picture of Norris Wright Cuney , captioned “Our late leader, N.W. Cuney” . No manufacturer’s identification on verso. Undated but probably issued soon after Cuney’s death in March 1898 as the patriotic background format is identical to that used by both William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan in the presidential election of 1896. Cuney chaired the Republican Party in Texas and was one of the most politically-powerful African-Americans of his day (see biographic information in 1913 listing below). The House of Representatives Archival website shows no political button used by Black congressional candidates earlier than 1928, and while this button was not issued for an election campaign or candidate, we believe it to be of great rarity and significance, one of the first Black political pins ever produced in America. Lot Amendments Condition: very good Item number: 247607