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Peace Anti-War Sixties 60s SDS Yippies Hippies Nixon

SDS Pinback Button – 2 ¼ Inches

Students for a Democratic Society

Stop Government Racism

Historical Item

 

The date on the button reads Jan. 20, referring to January 20, 1973.  On this day was Richard Nixon’s Second Inauguration, and a protest was held in Washington DC.  The SDS “March Against Racism & The War” contingent attended the protest, and seems to have used this button to spread the word.  A year and a half later, Nixon resigned after the Watergate scandal. 


The button is about two and a quarter inches in diameter, made out of metal.  I haven’t been able to find this button, or even any information about this specific button, anywhere else, so I assume it’s pretty rare.  I bought it off of a collector at the end of last year and it's in great condition considering its age, although it has scratches and marks as you can see in the pictures, but there is no major damage, no dents, no big scrapes.     


After looking around online, I was able to confirm that it definitely is an authentic button for the SDS’s March Against Racism and War in 1973.  As you can see in the picture, there are two small images along the edge of the button.  Using a magnifying glass, you're able to make out a circular image with the text “UNION” and “LABEL” above and below it (though I cannot determine what the union logo is in that circular image).  The other small image contains the letters “GAU” with some extremely small text around it that is cut off by the edge of the button.  This second small image on the button is this logo:


http://www.trademarkia.com/gau-graphic-arts-international-union-official-union-label-73479379.html


Doing some research: A few different unions merged in 1972 to create the Graphic Arts International Union.  Then in 1983, the Graphic Arts International Union merged with another union to form the Graphic Communications International Union.  Having the GAU logo on this button means it must have been made between 1972 and 1983 (the only years the Graphic Arts International Union was in existence).  And since this button was for the Jan 20 1973 protest, it’s definitely an authentic button made at that time.


If there are any other questions you have about this button, feel free to ask! 


Shipping is to continental US, if you’re from elsewhere message me first for a quote.  It will be shipped within one business day of payment.


Thanks for looking!