Please enjoy this collection painstakingly gathered over many years by Gary Burhop. The collection includes many many rare badges and ribbons, many that have not been seen in many years - if ever. The collection is not only amazing in its depth and scope, but also in the quality and scarcity. Due to the size of the collection, we will be offering these collectibles over the next several months. Not all items will be listed in our weekly sunday You Snooze You Lose email. Many will be listed during the week, so be sure to check back regularly.
My introduction to politics beyond being given a tour of a polling place in 1960 where my mother was an election worker, was attending a Barry Goldwater rally in Rockford Illinois in 1964 as a high schooler. College was in Washington DC where I had a part-time job in the office of Senator Everett Dirksen, and several others following his death. In the summer of 1968 I was the youngest staff member of Citizens for Nixon, attended the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach and saw my first convention badge. But the bug did not bite. Coin collecting still held my interest.
Fast forward to 1980. The Hunt brother’s speculation in silver and the Garrett Collection Sale by Johns Hopkins University ignited a numismatic frenzy. Coin prices escalated daily. At a coin show in Lanham MD that year, I spotted two badges from the 1900 Republican National Convention in the case of David Schenkman (of token fame, and now banjos). The badge has an incredibly detailed, die struck medallion in high relief. I purchased the ‘Delegate’ badge for $25, the first of 700+.
My job as Assistant to the President of Malone & Hyde (a food wholesaler and specialty retailer) caused me to be in Washington DC fairly regularly. I got to know Joe Levine, historical medal dealer and political insider for Inaugural Committees, both R and D. He started holding presidential nominating convention badges for me and my accumulation grew. And, with it, my introduction to Rex Stark. I also started bidding in auctions: Tom Slater, Tom French and David Frent’s primarily. I joined APIC and attended several conventions, having a field day adding more badges.
The accumulation continued to grow but I found there was no reference or guide to collecting them. In the early 1990’s I made an attempt to see what records might be retained by both the DNC and RNC. The woman who handled convention badges for the RNC had retired and died, old records had been destroyed to make storage for more recent records. At the DNC, they explained they had moved offices so many times and had so much staff turnover they had no ‘archive.’ About the time I thought about pursuing Bastian Brothers, they were gone.
Then my job changed and free time went too – I became Vice President Government Affairs for the company that owned Harrah’s Casinos when the rapid expansion of gaming spread through the Midwest and ultimately beyond. By the end of the decade, I left Harrah’s to open my own business. Being an entrepreneur with a start-up leaves little time for ‘hobbies’ and my political collecting ebbed. After 20 years of inactivity, this collection formed in the 1980’s and 1990’s needs new caretakers.
LoriFerber.com is the first place I go to when searching for presidential memorabilia.. I can trust anything I order from LoriFerber.com View more
Betsey
I received my order and its awesome, so cool! Thank you so much. View more
Conor
Lori, you're the greatest!!! This is surely a big help on our quest to get such items to good homes. View more
Frank & Pam
Hi, Lori. Absolutely beautiful-and beautifully framed as well. Thank you so much! View more
Richard
Lori: I just wanted to send you a huge thanks, as the commemorative bear arrived this morning - it's just absolutely perfect. View more
Julie
LoriFerber.com is the first place I go to when searching for presidential memorabilia.. I can trust anything I order from LoriFerber.com
Betsey
I received my order and its awesome, so cool! Thank you so much.
Conor
Lori, you're the greatest!!! This is surely a big help on our quest to get such items to good homes.
Frank & Pam
Hi, Lori. Absolutely beautiful-and beautifully framed as well. Thank you so much!
Richard
Lori: I just wanted to send you a huge thanks, as the commemorative bear arrived this morning - it's just absolutely perfect.
Julie
Lori: It has been a pleasure to do business with a company that obviously has such high values and service
Chris
Dear Lori, Thank you for everything, especially the quick priority shipping and the great job of packaging. You have been the most professional of sellers and I appreciate it.
Trent
I received it yesterday, thank you so much for sending it so quickly!! I'm thrilled, and absolutely LOVE it! Thank you again!!
Mary M.
Thank you so much! It is nice experiencing great customer service in a world that seems to have forgotten it is more than a phrase!
S. D.
Lori, I cannot wait to place my next order! Thanks again for your advice. I look forward to placing my next order.
N. R.
Thank you very much for your assistance in making sure that the gift is now perfect. I have been spreading the word about the excellent customer service I've received from you
A. H.
Lori:
Thank you ever so much for the Presidential Inaugural Invitation. I was moved because it means so very much to me. I was in Washington D.C. last year during the inauguration, however, I had been hoping to eventually obtain something this special (I even wrote to my Congressman and others). Again, thank you so much and may you have continued success in your business in the coming years.
W.M.
Lori & Steve: Your honesty and integrity are inspiring and conducive to an ongoing business relationship.
P.W.
Lori: After weeks of research, asking for referrals and conducting a competitive analysis - I landed with Lori Ferber Collectibles.My journey has been wonderful to say the least Steve & Lori are excellent!
B. G.
Lori,
The poster arrived late yesterday afternoon. It is hanging on my wall, and it looks absolutely fantastic! I smile when I see the President staring down at me as I am sitting at my desk.
Thanks so much! Well done!
Best,
Mike B
Mike B
I appreciate everything - the speedy response, the customer service, and of course, the product itself. Often, I'm skeptical and think that online testimonials only post the positive feedback, or even make up feedback. I can tell from the service I received that not only were these testimonials legitimate (just like your products), but it is likely they are all so positive because I can't imagine you getting a negative review.
Thank you so much. It was a pleasure working with you. This is how customer service is supposed to look and it is so refreshing! I'll certainly be back to purchase additional gifts for my history-buff boyfriend in the future.
- Shoshana, Golden Valley Minnesota
I just want to thank you for my recent order of political pins.
I happen to stumble on your Website and glad I did.
The items were just as advertised- and I will be ordering in the near future.
Thanks again,
Scott
Scott K
I want to thank you both for your wonderful business. With my being deeply involved in the Political arena your business feeds to my love for Politics, I enjoy getting a hold of great Political Items that are part of History collecting these treasures are a personal Hobby to me! I have ordered from you both on a number of occasions and I have to say that I am truly amazed and I appreciate everything - the speedy response, to the great customer service, the speedy arrival of items purchased arriving on time to my doorstep when promised, and more. Thank again for all that you both do for this Country through your wonderful business. I endorse Lori Ferber Collectibles!
Walter S, Michigan
Hi Lori & Team
I have purchased items from you over the years, since what I guess was your beginning days.
All items come perfect - they are what you say - I appreciate each purchase.
Is there a website where I can say “ Lori and her team are amazing as are the items I purchase”….or something similar. If so, I’m happy to do that !!
All my best,
John W
California
John W
"I wanted to thank you for your reply and the generous information you provided. It enriches our understanding of our history and gives us a path forward. You are most kind to share your time and expertise. Such interesting times we have lived...."
-Kelli, Lake Michigan
Kelli, Lake Michigan
Lori & Steve--
I want to say many, many thanks for the way you handled my Hoover item consignment. You listed it promptly, described it in a way that accurately explained its quality and value, and sold it quickly at a top price--far beyond my expectations.
I couldn't be happier and would recommend you highly to anyone who wants to consign items with Lori Ferber Collectibles.
Thanks again!
Jeff, Arizona
Lori: In this day and age where the post office is strained to the max, it is so nice to have a company that clearly values getting their product to their customers! Thanks!
Mike B. Maine
Mike from Maine
Thank you so much, Lori. I received the payment by PayPal. You made that so easy, I will definitely keep you in mind for anything else I need to sell!