I happened upon this amazing artifact today. On 20 February 2020, Cowan’s Auctions of Chicago offered two buttons in “Lot 14: Lincoln and Sojourner Truth Related Pinbacks, ca. 1910-1913.” The on-line catalogue described one of the pin-back buttons as “Lincoln Benefit Society,” ca 1910. Verso back paper: “Manufactured by / St. Louis Button Co / St. Louis, Mo. / Pat. Aug. 8 ’99.” Diam. 1 in. (25 mm). Pictures Abraham Lincoln standing over a seated Sojourner Truth. The Lincoln Benefit Society was a fraternal and insurance organization for African Americans in Wilson, North Carolina led by prominent citizen and postmaster, Samuel Vick.”

I’m crushed that I’m three years too late to bid on this lot, which was sold that day.