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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: antiquemania on October 24, 2010, 07:07:46 PM

Title: Old Pin Button Question....
Post by: antiquemania on October 24, 2010, 07:07:46 PM

Hello,

Can anyone help identify the Black man on this button? Appears to be wearing a suit and the button appears to be from late 1800's.

Thanks in advance for any help trying to answer this!

(http://merrge.com/1myauctiontree/2063/182.JPG)

(http://merrge.com/1myauctiontree/2063/183.JPG)

Title: Re: Old Pin Button Question....
Post by: waywardangler on October 24, 2010, 07:37:33 PM

It would be near impossible to identify people on these old photo pinbacks unless the image was of somebody famous or a celebrity.  Most of these photo pinbacks were made up at fairs, mourning images, sweeties, etc.  Pocket mirrors were another common venue for celluloid photo images.

Title: Re: Old Pin Button Question....
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on October 24, 2010, 07:43:16 PM

It is possible that it MIGHT be Josiah T. Walls, Florida's first African-American Congressman. The photo looks similar, but it is hard to say unless we can find another copy of the photo. This is Josian T. Walls:

(http://www.blackpast.org/files/blackpast_images/walls_josiah.jpg)

(http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/pkyonge/walls.jpg)

Source: http://www.blackpast.org/?q=tree/Government%3A+State/Government%3A+State (http://www.blackpast.org/?q=tree/Government%3A+State/Government%3A+State)