Political Buttons from the Button Museum

Bryan Eclipses McKinley, 1896
The modern button traces its origins to the presidential contest of 1896, which pitted Democrat William Jennings Bryan against Republican William McKinley. The election was marked by a number of innovations that are now commonplace, such as the sloganeering behind this button that predicted (incorrectly, as it turned out) Bryan would triumph on Nov. 6, Election Day. A sample of this rare piece sold for over $13,000 at auction in 2000.

• The Button Museum