During the Civil War, a trade deficit occurred in the North, leading the ladies to form a group to help. In 1864, a "Ladies National Covenant" was formed, their pledge being this:

"For three years, or during the war, we pledge ourselves and the country, to purchase no imported goods where those of American manufacture can be obtained, such as "dress goods of velvet, silks, grenadines, India crape and imported organdies, India lace and broche shawls, fine wrought laces and embroideries, watches and precious stones, hair ornaments, fans, artificial flowers and feathers, carpets, furniture, silks and velvets, painted china, ormolu, bronze, marble, ornaments, and mirrors.”

"The emblem of this Covenant was a black or gilt bee, worn as a pin fastening the national colors, upon the hair, arm or bosom, as a public recognition of membership."

My creation of this historic "Buy American" campaign badge is a gilt bee, very like this one in a period advertisement, along with a cockade of "the national colors," red, white and blue. Wear this conversation piece for your own personal "Buy American" crusade!

Approximately 3" across rosette. Pin back is silver-plated and 1" wide.