A genuine piece of American celluloid history — an antique scalloped bar pin manufactured by The Whitehead & Hoag Co. of Newark, New Jersey, the company that invented and patented celluloid pin-back button production and became the world's largest badge and button manufacturer at the turn of the 20th century.
The celluloid face features a classic "clasped hands" motif — a widely used fraternal symbol of the era, closely associated with organizations like the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), who used the handshake to represent their core tenet of Friendship (alongside their well-known three-link chain emblem).
Confirmed maker and date: The brass reverse is clearly stamped "THE WHITEHEAD & HOAG CO., NEWARK, N.J." along with the patent dates "PAT. OCT. 18, '92" and "MAR. 7, '93" — Whitehead & Hoag's actual foundational celluloid-button patents. This places manufacture squarely in the company's earliest production years, making this badge over 130 years old.
Details:
Condition: Brass shows natural age-appropriate tarnish and patina on the reverse; celluloid face retains good gloss with light surface wear; no cracking noted; pin clasp intact and functional.
A wonderful piece for collectors of antique celluloid, fraternal memorabilia, Victorian-era advertising novelties, or Newark, NJ manufacturing history.
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