Gettysburg 1888 25th Anniversary Badge Owned by Maryland Veteran

Description

The following item is an authentic 1888 25th Anniversary badge belonging to a Gettysburg Veteran from Maryland. The 1888 badge is the bottom piece. It's in excellent condition. These were stamped on a press and then hand filed on the edges. It depicts a Northern soldier greeting a Southern soldier. The top portion is a Maryland pin and ribbon from 1893. The soldier replaced the original small ribbon with one from his home state to show his pride. This is how he would have worn it to gatherings and reunions that he attended. These badges have become extremely scarce. This is most likely the first reunion badge that was offered. There were some earlier get togethers but there are no known badges from those smaller gatherings. 1888 was the first year that Southern Troops were invited back to the battlefield and was also the year of Longstreet's Triumphant return to Gettysburg. Each one of the returning soldiers would have received one of these badges. We have only seen maybe five of these over the last few years. They show up every now and then but are extremely scarce at this point. This one shows very well especially with this Maryland Veterans addition to the top. A great early collectible from Gettysburg.