Realia: Seven Pin-Back Buttons From the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt

Seven different pin-back buttons from the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, founded by Cleve Jones in San Francisco in 1986 to commemorate those lost to the AIDS pandemic. First displayed at the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987, the quilt was subsequently displayed around the United States, ultimately growing to more than 50,000 panels. Offered here:

Circular Button (1987): "The NAMES Project"; 4.3 cm diameter; metal pin-back; blank curl. Original stitch logo in white and black on lavendar background. Condition: slight denting; slight discoloration to recto.

Square Button (1988): "The New York Memorial Quilt / Center Quilt Workshop"; 5.3 cm x 5.3 cm; cardboard pin-back; blank curl. Color NYQM quilt logo on white background. Button from New York City initiative that contributed 1,200 panels to the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. Condition: slight denting; slight discoloration to recto.

Circular Button (1991): "The NAMES Project Volunteer"; 7.5 cm diameter; metal pin-back; blank curl. Original stitch logo in white and yellow on purple background. Condition: slight spotting to paper of recto; discoloration of metal backing (but no rust); handwritten annotation on backing: "NR 1991."

Rectangular Button (1993): "NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt / 1987 • The March on Washington • 1993"; 7.8 cm x 5.3 cm; cardboard pin-back; blank curl. Color quilt illustration on white background. Button from the display of the quilt at the Third National March on Washington for Lebian, Gay and Bi Rights and Liberation, held in 1993.

Rectangular Button (circa 1995): "NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt"; 7.7 cm x 5.3 cm; cardboard pin-back; curl: "A.S.A.P. Adv. Boston MA 800-430-2468." Quilt panel illustration in blue and lavendar on white background.

Circular Button (1996): "How Many Names Will It Take? AIDS Memorial Quilt Display • October 11–13, 1996 • Washington, D.C."; 6.3 cm diameter; metal pin-back; curl: "A.S.A.P. Adv. Boston MA 800/430-2468." Color quilt illustration with American flag motifs on white background. Condition: slight denting to metal backing.

Square Button (n.d.): "The Quilt / See It and Understand"; 5.3 cm x 5.3 cm; cardboard pin-back; blank curl. White text against abstract graphics in lavender, turquoise and white.

CONDITION:Slight wear to rectos & slight discoloration to metal backings (unless otherwise noted).