Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
March of Dimes Button
Artifact IDMO 2023.1
Object Type
Button, Promotional
Maker
Bastian Brothers Company
(American, founded 1895)
Date1939
Mediummetal (tin), paint
Dimensionsoverall Diam 7/8 in (2.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionA round pinback button. The circular center of the button is inspired by the 1916-1945 U.S. "Mercury" dime and features a blue and white halftone profile image of Liberty wearing a winged cap, and the words "MARCH OF DIMES" below her. Encircling the profile are bands of white and red. Blue text on the white band reads: FIGHT INFANTILE PARALYSIS 1939. The manufacturer's information and a union bug are printed on the rim.
Historical NoteFDR created the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (which became known as the March of Dimes) to support the polio rehabilitation center he had established in Warm Springs, Georgia in 1927 and aid polio victims around the nation. The Foundation urged Americans to send their loose change to the President in a “march of dimes.” The March of Dimes supported the research and development of a polio vaccine by Jonas Salk in 1955 that eradicated the disease throughout most of the world.Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Patric Morrison in 2022.
Credit LineGift of Patric Morrison
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view