General Antiques and Collectibles Spring Auction
Lot 139:
Description
C-17715
c. 1930s-1940s; Various American Railroads Group lot of railroad promotional items including enameled lapel pins and a printed advertising card. Highlights include: • Three "Burlington Route" pins with black-and-red enamel design. • One "The Milwaukee Road" pin in red-and-gold enamel. • One "Santa Fe" round enamel pin with blue-and-white cross motif. • One Union Pacific Railroad printed advertising card celebrating the Diamond Anniversary of the Driving of the Golden Spike (1869-1944), promoting the NBC radio program Your America. These items reflect the golden age of American railroads, when major lines invested heavily in public branding and advertising to capture passenger loyalty. Railroads like Burlington, Milwaukee Road, Santa Fe, and Union Pacific became household names through their promotional campaigns, often distributing pins, timetables, and small souvenirs as part of their marketing strategy.
Light wear to pins, including surface rubbing and minor enamel loss; Union Pacific card retains strong color with mild edge wear.
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