These two pieces belonged to Arthur Bergey, who worked as a newspaper photographer for some thirty years for the Inquirer and the Philadelphia Press and the Evening Ledger. Bergey was one of those covering the 50^th Anniversary ceremonies at Gettysburg and preserved his press badge, issued by the PA Commission for the occasion. Measuring 3-1/4 overall, the badge has a blue enamel and bronze toned top bar reading “PRESS” over “PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION” from which a blue and gray ribbon suspends the bronze planchet showing two aged veterans kneeling and shaking hands in front of the figure of the Republic with “FIFTIETH / ANNIVERSARY / OF THE / BATTLE OF / GETTYSBURG” in small raised letters at right and “1863 / REUNION / 1913” at bottom. The reverse shows two hands clasped in front of the motto, “REUNION CIVIL WAR VETERANS 1913.”

With this is Bergey’s personal badge for membership in the Philadelphia News-Photographers Association. Measuring about 1-1/2 inch in diameter, this is light blue, dark blue and yellow enamel on silver with gilt seal at center and C-scrolls on the top and bottom edge. The pin is present on the reverse. The back is maker stamped: “HYMAN N. CAPLAN / STERLING / PHILADA. PA.” and is engraved “ARTHUR BERGEY / 41.”

Both badges show some natural age toning, with the blue and gray ribbon on the Gettysburg medal showing some minor soiling. Both badges are rare. The Gettysburg badge is particularly telling in regard to the efforts to make the commemoration a joint reunion- something that did not go over well in all quarters and it took another 25 years for some of that to come to fruition. The story of Gettysburg, not only in the history of the war, but how it has been used and how it has come down in popular culture is a fascinating study.  [sr][ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!