'Wattle Day for Children' fundraising button 1920 - small size

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Commonwealth Button Fund

1920

Overview

Circular fundraising badge or button sold just after World War One to support the 'Wattle Day for Children' appeal in 1920. It is made from printed paper between a tin base and celluloid cover.
It features the Crest of the Prince of Wales )three feathers above a golden crown) to commemorate his recent visit to Australia. This appears on a pale blue background, above which the words 'Wattle Day' are written in red on a cream background and below which are the words 'For Children' written in blue ink on a scroll surrounded by sprays of wattle. There is a dark blue border around the edge of the badge.
The whole design is not particularly well placed, being slightly off-centre. The maker's name and address are written on the lower rim of the badge.
The reverse has a metal back with a void into which a metal pin is secured for attachment. However, unusually, the pin is vertical rather than horizontal.

Historical information

The Commonwealth Button Fund was established in mid-1915, with the first Button Day being held in November of that year, supporting the people of Belgium. Over the course of the next 6 years, 33 Button Days were held raising money for a variety of patriotic and charitable causes including the Australian, British and French Red Cross, Hospitals, allied countries, current serving men and women, discharged, wounded and disabled servicemen and women, and their families. The buttons were sold in trams, buses, at railways stations and at rallies to raise money for the stated cause.

'Wattle Day for Children' button day was held on August 20 1920 with proceeds raised distributed to children's charitable institutions.

This smaller sized button sold for 1 shilling, while the larger size sold for 2/6.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00468

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Themes

Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Material