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1917 Australian WW1 Red Cross Celluloid Button from Burra, South Australia

$ 87.38

Availability: 55 in stock
  • Original/Reproduction: Original
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Australia
  • Region of Origin: Australia
  • Condition: Good condition especially when considering its age - good color but some obvious tarnish spots are showing through - please see pictures and description for more details
  • Theme: Militaria
  • Conflict: WW I (1914-18)

    Description

    A chance to own a unique and rare WW1 celluloid button made to celebrate Burra Australia Day and raise money for the Australian Red Cross and Australian troops fighting in WW1. Since it doesn't carry the standard Red Cross logo, I'm thinking this wasn't produced by the Australian Red Cross but rather a button made by the Burra townspeople who organized celebrations and the fundraising.
    Details about the button (for those who are not Australian) - Burra is a small town of less than 1,000 people in the state of South Australia (this stat is true today as well). Australia Day, which is today observed every January to celebrate when the British first established a colony in Australia; but this specific date wouldn't catch on nationally until the 1930s. Hence, Australia Day was celebrated on different dates, in different dates and towns, Burra celebrated this day in August. The button also states "For King & Empire" because Australia was and still is part of the British Empire (Commonwealth, today) and their involvement in WW1 was a call of duty for Brittan and the King. Australians did not feel put out by this call as nearly all citizens were strongly committed to the British Empire and King. The "Cheer Up", "One Aim" and "One Heart" - Australia was involve in WW1 close to its beginning; 3 years involved in a grueling, stagnate trench war can dampen moral.
    Condition is overall good especially when considering its age. As what is common for metal celluloid buttons, the metal tarnishes and seeps through the paper under the celluloid. Even though this is the case, the button surprisingly has little rust.
    There are some of these in Australia but very rare on these shores.