Summary
Alternative Name(s): Pin, Button
Fund-raising badge depicting the flags of the Allied Nations in World War I.
The flags depicted on the badge (from left to right) are: Belgium, France, United Kingdom, Australia, Russia and Italy. The Russian flag depicted on the badge has the Imperial Standard of the Tsar in the canton (top left corner). This flag was for civil or private use during World War I but was never the official Russian flag. Russia withdrew from the war following the October Revolution in 1917 - therefore this badge must have been made before this date.
The button is dated by Pezikian & Andersen (2017:17) as an issue for the November 1915 Button day, held on 26 November to raise funds for the Allied Relief Fund.
Physical Description
Circular pressed metal badge with a plastic covered obverse, and a metal back with an attached pin. Printed text and an illustration appears in white, blue, red, yellow and green ink on the obverse. In the centre, a scroll with red text sits in front of a group of six flags, with a white map of Australia on a blue background. White text appears underneath the map of Australia on the obverse, and on the bottom edge of the badge. The badge is discoloured and soiled. There are brown stains on the obverse. The metal back of the badge is tarnished, and the original silver coloured coating has mostly been worn away.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from Victorian Branch, Returned & Services League of Australia Limited (RSL), circa 1986
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Acknowledgement
From an original donation to the Returned Servicemen's League (RSL), Anzac House, Melbourne.
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Place & Date Created
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Place Depicted
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Place Depicted
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Place Depicted
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Place Depicted
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Place Depicted
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Place Depicted
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Inscriptions
Printed, obverse, red ink, "ALLIES". Printed, obverse, white ink, "FOR/ FREEDOM/ AND LIFE". Printed, bottom edge of badge, partly obscured, white ink, "COPYRIGHT REGD".
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
5 mm (Depth), 23 mm (Outside Diameter)
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References
'Flags of the Allied Powers,' Historical Flags of Our Ancestors, [Link 1] 'War and Revolution in Russia 1914 - 1921,' By Dr Jonathan Smele Last updated 2011-03-10, BBC History, [Link 2]
[Book] Pezikian, Nick & Andersen, David. 2017. Commonwealth Button Fund: WWI Patriotic & Fundraising Badges., 17 Pages
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Keywords
Badges, Patriotic Badges, Patriotism, Wars & Conflicts, World War I Fundraising, World War I, 1914-1918