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The product is an old Independent Order of Odd Fellows medal badge made of celluloid, featuring an eye design. It was most likely Preston a silk ribbon and is signed by the manufacturer Whitehead and Hoag Co. of Newark, Jersey.
The Whitehead & Hoag Company was a premier American manufacturer of advertising novelties, political campaign buttons, and fraternal badges. Founded in 1892 in Newark, New Jersey, by Benjamin S. Whitehead and Chester R. Hoag, the firm grew into a world leader in celluloid and metal promotional items before closing in 1959.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) is an international, non-political, and non-sectarian fraternal organization founded on friendship, love, and truth. It traces its roots back to 18th-century England and was officially established in the United States on April 26, 1819, by Thomas Wildey in Baltimore, Maryland.
Core Values and Mission
* Three Links: Symbolized by three interlocking rings representing Friendship, Love, and Truth.
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* Guiding Principles: A commitment to "visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan".
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* Membership Requirement: Open to individuals of good character who believe in a Supreme Being (Creator and Preserver of the Universe).
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* History and Milestones
* Origin of Name: Originally formed by tradespeople and workers who did odd jobs that did not fit into traditional medieval trade guilds.
* Pioneering Inclusion: Became the first major American fraternal order to accept women through the establishment of the Rebekah Degree in 1851, eventually evolving into fully co-educational memberships.
Social Welfare: Historically created some of the earliest mutual aid funds, senior citizen homes, and orphanages before modern public welfare systems existed This historical memorabilia item is a collectible piece that represents the fraternal organization of Odd Fellows, making it a unique and valuable addition to any collection focused on fraternal organizations or historical artifacts.
