Editing Button (section)

==In politics==
The mainly American tradition of politically significant clothing buttons appears to have begun with the [[First inauguration of George Washington|first presidential inauguration]] of [[George Washington]] in 1789. Known to collectors as "Washington Inaugurals",<ref name="GW Inaugurals">{{cite web|url=http://kirkmitchell.tripod.com/CobbGW/index.html |title=J. Harold Cobb's George Washington Inaugural Button Collection |last=Cobb |first=J. Harold |author2=Kirk Mitchell |date=Feb 2, 2005|publisher=Kirk Mitchell|access-date=13 March 2010|location=USA}}</ref> they were made of [[copper]], [[brass]] or [[Sheffield plate]], in large sizes for coats and smaller sizes for breeches.<ref>{{harv|Luscomb|2003|pp=214–218}}</ref> Made in twenty-two patterns and hand-stamped, they are now extremely valuable [[cultural artifact]]s.

Between about 1840 and 1916, clothing buttons were used in American [[political campaign]]s, and still exist in collections today. Initially, these buttons were predominantly made of brass (though horn and rubber buttons with stamped or moulded designs also exist) and had loop shanks. Around 1860 the badge or [[Pin-back button|pin-back]] style of construction, which replaced the shanks with long pins, probably for use on lapels and ties, began to appear.<ref>{{harv|Luscomb|2003|pp=33–34}}</ref>

One common practice that survived until recent times on campaign buttons and badges was to include the image of [[George Washington]] with that of the candidate in question.

Some of the most famous [[campaign button]]s are those made for [[Abraham Lincoln]]. [[Memorial]] buttons commemorating Lincoln's inaugurations and other life events, including his birth and [[Abraham Lincoln#Assassination|death]], were also made, and are also considered highly collectible.<ref>{{harv|Luscomb|2003|pp=119–120}}</ref>