Cuff link ???

[clump63]

Is this a cuff link ? The face shows Columbus 1492 1892 Chicago. Reverse reads (I think) CAHH. WAMPOLO & CO. CHICAGO. I wonder if its like a 400 year comm. and being from the 1892 period. I found it on a piece of property I have owned for a few years that had an old house from the late 1800's.

 

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[PBK]

It's a souvenir lapel button from the World's Columbian Exposition (world's fair) held in Chicago in 1893. It's dated 1892 because that was the projected date, commemorating the 400th anniversary of Columbus's arrival in the New World. However, although opening ceremonies for the expo were held on October 21, 1892, the grounds were not actually opened to visitors until May 1, 1893, and remained open through October 31 of that year.

 

[clump63]

Awesome PBK, thanks for all the info.

 

[clump63]

My sister guessed a button to hold a neck scarf together.

 

[PBK]

Could be lapel button like PBK said. I read his post too fast.

CYn

Cyn--

Actually, you could argue that it's a distinction without a difference, as I've seen it listed as all three (button, tack, stud). Nevertheless...

Diving Doc is right: it is described as a "Columbus shirt stud" in Rossen & Kaduck's Columbian World's Fair Collectibles, Chicago (1892-1893).