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William Pitt: 1766 No Stamp Act Button. ...
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Sold on Jun 22, 2013 for:
$3,346.00
Bid Source: Live: Phone bidder
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Description
Arguably the first American political button...
William Pitt: 1766 No Stamp Act Button. Struck in copper or brass, this 25 mm. (1") shank button features a profile of British Prime Minister William Pitt surrounded by the words "No Stamp Act 1766," with his last name below the portrait. The Stamp Act of 1765, enacted to pay for the expenses of the French & Indian War, was particularly offensive to the American colonies and was a major galvanizing factor leading to the American Revolution. Pitt, a friend of the colonies, was instrumental in its 1766 repeal. We are not aware of any other wearable item expressing a political sentiment, such as a button or badge, from this early period. It is quite reasonable to argue that this may be the earliest American political item. Ceramic teapots were also produced in 1766 emblazoned with the slogan "No Stamp Act" as well as a dated token with Pitt's bust. Around five years ago, three examples of the teapot came on the market (two in the U.S. and one in England), selling for prices ranging from $100,000 to $150,000. In 2009, we sold a ""dug" example of this button for $8,962. This specimen had the top of the shank sawed off and mounted as a brooch (likely done in the mid-nineteenth century). It does not appear to us to be an excavated example. It has a pleasing chocolate brown patina with some light surface rust. The details of the portrait and wording are generally quite sharp and distinct. Portions of the "MP" in "STAMP" have rusted away. From a numismatic standpoint, we would grade it as fine. It appears to be far superior, condition-wise, to the one we sold in 2009.Auction Info
2013 June 22 - 23 Americana & Political Signature Auction - Dallas #6096 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2013
22nd-23rd
Saturday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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