{"product_id":"antique-1892-93-whitehead-hoag-co-celluloid-clasped-hands-fraternal-badge","title":"Antique 1892–93 Whitehead \u0026 Hoag Co. Celluloid \"Clasped Hands\" Fraternal Badge","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA genuine piece of American celluloid history — an antique scalloped bar pin manufactured by \u003cstrong\u003eThe Whitehead \u0026amp; Hoag Co.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe celluloid face features a classic \"clasped hands\" motif — a widely used fraternal symbol of the era, closely associated with organizations like the \u003cstrong\u003eIndependent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF)\u003c\/strong\u003e, who used the handshake to represent their core tenet of Friendship (alongside their well-known three-link chain emblem).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConfirmed maker and date:\u003c\/strong\u003e The brass reverse is clearly stamped \"THE WHITEHEAD \u0026amp; HOAG CO., NEWARK, N.J.\" along with the patent dates \u003cstrong\u003e\"PAT. OCT. 18, '92\"\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003e\"MAR. 7, '93\"\u003c\/strong\u003e — Whitehead \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaker: The Whitehead \u0026amp; Hoag Co., Newark, NJ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDated via patent stamps: 1892–1893\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMeasurements: approx. 2⅞\" long x 1¼\" tall\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: celluloid face, brass scalloped frame, functioning pinback clip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMotif: clasped hands (fraternal friendship symbol)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA wonderful piece for collectors of antique celluloid, fraternal memorabilia, Victorian-era advertising novelties, or Newark, NJ manufacturing history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Whitehead and Hoag Co","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51119483322615,"sku":null,"price":72.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0376\/0016\/6021\/files\/14368089-82d5-4ae9-baf6-6f800bc8136d.jpg?v=1788651171","url":"https:\/\/www.hydrangeasboutique.com\/products\/antique-1892-93-whitehead-hoag-co-celluloid-clasped-hands-fraternal-badge","provider":"Hydrangeas Boutique","version":"1.0","type":"link"}