Excitement has hit the 2008 Presidential contest as the race for the Democratic nomination appears to be a tie at this writing. This is good news for Political Americana collectors as campaign buttons are being produced at a record clip. Several one-day event buttons from both the Obama and Clinton campaigns are already being actively sought by collectors. Those seeking Republican items also fare well as McCain buttons are popping up all across the fruited planes and the big question – who will be his running mate – is still unanswered. Every four years the hobby of collecting political buttons and other campaign memorabilia hits a fevered pitch and this year appears to be no different.

On to the mailbag….

Q: K.F. of Chattanooga, TN asks: "My brother and I were cleaning out our Grandfather’s estate when we came across a tin box full of old campaign buttons. I have read your column for years and know that they are not reproductions, but rather are original to the 1904 campaign of Teddy Roosevelt. The largest pin pictures Roosevelt along with the words ‘The Winner.’ What should this sell for?"

A: You are also a winner with this great Teddy picture button. In great condition it should sell for around $1000.

Q: J.Z. of Milwaukee, WI asks: "Recently I found a number of small pin-back buttons that read "Landon" on them. I believe they ran for President. My real question is.... Why do they have little yellow felt flowers attached to their backs?"

A: In 1936 Governor Alf Landon of Kansas became the Republican candidate for President, opposing and eventually losing to Franklin Delano Roosevelt that November. As Landon was from Kansas and the Sunflower is the official Kansas

State flower, those little felt sun-flowers became an instant trademark of his supporters. Unfortunately they must have made more of those little sunflower buttons, than votes received by Landon as the majority only sell today, 65 years later, for a few dollars each.

Q: A.W. of Laurel, MD writes: "Enclosed please find a photo copy of a copper engraver’s block that I have. It is approximately 3 ½ in x 6in and consists of a copper plate attached to a wooden block. Does it have any value, and collector demand?"

A: Printer’s blocks such as yours were used by newspapers for illustrations during the latter part of the 1800’s through the mid 1900’s. While they are sometimes hard to display (they are too big for a Riker Mount, and usually fairly deep) collectors of specific candidates usually appreciate jugate period items no matter their downsides. In very good condition I would expect your 1900 William McKinley - Teddy Roosevelt picture print block to retail for around $50. Incidentally I have several different 1940 Wendell Willkie block varieties in my personal collection for which I paid between $10 and $25 each.

Q: J.C. of Depauw, IN recently found three tickets from the 1948 Democratic National Convention, held in Philadelphia, PA. "They have not been used and are in great condition. What are they worth?"

A: Tickets to the national conventions of political parties can be found dating as far back as the first Republican gathering, held in Philadelphia in 1856. Age, scarcity, graphics, and condition are the major factors which determine the value of these paper tickets to history. The 1948 Democratic tickets have a fairly simple design, picturing the Jefferson Memorial on the front. Tickets from conventions with more exciting graphics and even pictures of sitting Presidents are usually more desirable. One thing that J.C.’s tickets have in their favor though is the fact that this was the convention at which Harry S. Truman was given his party’s nod. Truman of course went on to win that year in a victory that surprised almost everyone but Truman himself. Average retail value - around $15 - $20 each.

Illustration: Teddy Roosevelt was a winner in 1904 and owners of this great 2-1/8" celluloid pin-back button today are winners as well. It sells for around $1000.