Collections record Beta

Button

2018-48-1

Oversized, round pin-back buttons with scene of George Washington leaning from a window at Sheldon's Tavern, Litchfield, CT. White background with printed image in black ink. In foreground, a man in wig and tricorne hat leans out of a window with his left hand cupped around his mouth. At left, a sign hangs off bracket extending from the building, with text "Sheldons Tavern." In background, at lower left, five men in uniform with shouldered muskets stand to the side of the building. Button is signed by artist just underneath the five soldiers, "R E CHRISTIAN." Drawing completed in a cartoon style, set under celluloid covering. At reverse, backing of black paperboard with cutouts to allow the button to be displayed upright. Gold-colored metal pin with safety catch at top of reverse. White paper label affixed to both pins, with black text, describing the depicted scene (tradition holds that Washington slept at Sheldon's Tavern while passing through Litchfield).

Richard E. Christian is a Litchfield artist specializing in landscapes and seascapes. He was trained through the Famous Artists School, originally in Westport, CT.

• Lewtan Industries
• Christian, Richard E.

c.1969

Overall diameter 5.875"

• metal
• metal
• paperboard
• paperboard
• plastic
• plastic