2 1896 Vermont Massachusetts Whitehead & Hoag Celluloid Small Pinback Buttons

Description

Two small pinback buttons for states of Vermont and Massachusetts. Both mfg by Whitehead and Hoag. I know at one time these were premiums in American Pepsin Gum, but these don't have that identifying label. They do have the Whitehaed & Hoad patent dates: July 17, 1894, April 14, 1896, and July 21, 1896.
Celluloid image is of map w major cities, capital, population, area.
Whitehead & Hoag bought 3 patents and went into the celluloid button business. The success of the button idea was astonishing, and buttons swept the country in an avalanche.  Advertising and 1896 presidential campaign buttons saturated the nation.  Their first big order went to the American Tobacco Co. for millions of buttons to be given away with cigarette purchases.
There were no machines at the time to place the pin and paper in the back of the buttons.  W&H solved this problem by offering extra spending money to the families living around the factory to do it.  Every night after school the children would walk over to the factory and pick up a box full of buttons, pins and back papers.
The company had always been non-partisan, accepting button orders not only from both major parties but from such minority groups as the Socialists, the Communists, Prohibitionists and others.  A few of the artists that worked for W&H from time to time included Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish and Harrison Fisher.
I have other pinbacks on. Will gladly combine shipping, which means just the cheapest listed shipping charge. No additional for added purchases. Be sure to put all in cart. I will refund the shipping overage.