VALLEY
MIAMI VALLEY SUNDAY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM
B1 July 29, 2012
A fan reflects Herbert Hoover as a Republican candidate and Alfred Smith as a Democratic candidate.
Political memorabilia is big business Troy collectors chairing national convention BY DAVID FONG Executive Editor fong@tdnpublishing.com
roy residents Al Anderson and David Lindeman will be on pins and needles this week. Well, pins, at least. And ribbons. And posters.
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Anderson and Lindeman — proprietors of Anderson Americana — an auction company specializing in historical and political memorabilia, will chair The American Political Items Collectors National Convention July 31 to Aug. 4 at the Crowne Plaza North Hotel in Columbus. It is the first time Ohio will be the site of the national convention, which has been held every two years for nearly five decades. “This is the first national convention that’s ever been held in Ohio,” Lindeman said. “There will be 250 tables set up A collector’s piece reflects William Jennings Bryan and his canand a bunch of seminars going A collection reflecting James M. Cox. didacy. on.” In addition to the convention, there also will be a presidential collection. In addition to chairing the convention, Anderson and Lindeman also are helping set up a special collection of Ohio political memorabilia at the Ohio Statehouse, which is on display in the statehouse map room now through ANDERSON LINDEMAN October. The convention will feature political memorabilia — primarily buttons and pins — CONVENTION from every president and presidential election from George Here is the schedule for Washington through Barack The American Politicial Items Obama, and everything in Collectors National between. Convention, which will be “Political buttons really open to the public Thursdaystarted out as buttons on clothing,” Anderson said. “They were Saturday at the Crowne North Plaza Hotel, 6500 Doubletree, actually attached to clothing.” in Columbus. There was a time when Thursday, Aug. 2 political memorabilia was 7:30 a.m. — Bourse set-up, essentially worthless — but Ballroom, Pavilion since has become big business. Several pins reflect Taft and Roosevelt in this display case. 8:30 a.m to 5 p.m. — “In 1959, you wouldn’t pay Registration open, Capital $5 for an (Abraham) Lincoln Anderson launched Anderson Room pin that today goes for $5,000,” STAFF PHOTOS / ANTHONY WEBER Americana as his full-time job 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Bourse Anderson said. “In 1964, somein 1983. In 1999, Lindeman left Ballroom, Pavilion one paid $150 for a (James) Anderson got in on the dential elections only happen his job as executive editor of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Exhibits Cox-(Franklin D.) Roosevelt pin ground floor of the political once every four years — and the Troy Daily News to join open, Salons B&C, Room 113 and everyone thought, ‘He’s memorabilia movement when then nobody ever wears the Anderson. 11 a.m., 2 p.m., as needed crazy.’ That pin ended up sellitems could still be had for a pins and buttons after that,” “For 16 years I did it by — Seattle Rules auctions, ing for $120,000. It really relatively inexpensive price. A Anderson said. “Really, about myself,” Anderson said. “To be Pavilion exploded in the 1960s.” the only time you ever see any- history teacher at Troy High able to find somebody like 6:30 p.m. — Member Political memorabilia — parone wearing them is at political School, Anderson began collect- David, as bright as he is, was auction preview, Buckeye ticularly items pertaining to ing part-time in 1973. One of conventions. So the items are ideal.” Room presidential elections — are so his students that year — pretty rare. Obviously — as is The two have been working valuable in part because they Lindeman — helped him store together for the past 13 years. • See CONVENTION the case with most things — are so rare. and sort his collection. The two on B8 the older something is, the “If you think about it, presi• See PINS on B8 would remain close friends. more valuable it is.”