Badge, Membership
Object number2018.8.7
Manufacturer
Greenduck Company
Date1938
OriginChicago, IL
MediumMetal; Paper; Ink; Silk
Credit LineGift of Edward Feinstein
DescriptionMetal and fabric event badge. Top of badge has gold-tone metal frame containing off-white paper insert with black typed text; frame has pinback on reverse in front of maker text. Suspended from top frame is red, white, and blue vertically striped silk ribbon with faded text. Suspended from bottom of ribbon is Ohio-shaped medallion. Front of medallion has Veterans of Foreign Wars emblem at top center surrounded by event text all above the Ohio Statehouse building with sun rising behind and radiating lines.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 3.313 x 2.063 x 0.25 in. (8.4 x 5.2 x 0.6 cm)InscriptionsPaper insert at top has black typed text "Isadore Kalson / Pittsburgh, Pa. / Post - 169".
Front of ribbon has faded text across center "DELEGATE".
Front of medallion has raised text in viewer's top left corner "AUGUST / 21-26 / 1938", in viewer's top right corner "39TH / NATIONAL / ENCAMPMENT", and across center "COLUMBUS, OHIO / CRADLE OF THE V.F.W."; emblem at top center has text "VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF U.S."
MarksFrame's reverse has text behind the pinback "GREENDUCK CO. / CHICAGO"; text is inverted; there is also what appears to be an union label in the viewer's top right corner.
Medallion's reverse has text at bottom center "GREENDUCK CO. / CHICAGO".
Historical Notes39th National Encampment VFW badge. Part of a collection related to Isadore Kalson. Isadore Kalson (1896-1980) worked in his youth for Rauh Bros. & Co. He served in World War I with the 52nd Infantry, Sixth Division. He was a charter member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Corp. H. O. Diller Post No. 156, Mt. Washington and was elected VFW Allegheny County Commander in 1934, becoming the first Jewish person to hold the post. He later worked in city government and ran successfully in a close race against Richard Mellon Scaife for Republican Party Chair. He lived in Oakland and Squirrel Hill in his later years. Isadore's father, Harry Kalson, immigrated to Pittsburgh in 1891. He was later joined by brothers Nathan Kalson, David Kalson, Samuel Kalson, Mrs. L. Moll, Mrs. Ida Becker and Mrs. Anna Brinn. He worked as a plumbing and building contractor and later ran the Profit Sharing Laundry Co. with his sons. He was the proprietor of Kalson’s Natatorium, a popular bath house in the Hill District. Kalson was active in Republican politics and served a term on the Common Council in 1905. He was president of Tifrerth Israel Congregation for nine years under the tenure of Rabbi Eliyahu Kochin. He was a founder of the United Hebrew Orthodox Congregations of Western Pennsylvania and its president in 1923 and 1924. He was also a founder of the Hebrew Religious Academy at 81-83 Tannehill Street. He was active in many Jewish philanthropies, including the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, Keren Hayesod and Montefiore Hospital, as well as many fraternal lodges. Harry Kalson and his wife Hinda Libbe Horwitz Kalson had at least eight children: Dr. Abraham Maurice Kalson, Samuel H. Kalson, Isadore Kalson, Robert Kalson, Ralph Kalson, William Kalson, Jacob E. Kalson and Ruth Kalson. Jacob E. Kalson was the assistant district attorney
Previous owner
Isadore Kalson
(1896 - 1980)
Related institution
Rauh Brothers and Company
Related institution
52nd Infantry Regiment
Related institution
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Related institution
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 156
On View
Not on view
c. 1937