About APIC

The American Political Items Collectors is a non-profit membership organization, dedicated to promoting the collection, preservation and study of materials relating to political campaigns and the presidency. Founded in 1945, the APIC serves a growing hobby. Our membership includes collectors and enthusiasts from all walks of life and every occupation such as educators, students, archivists, historians, elected officials including members of Congress, political junkies, political animals, campaign staffers, journalists from print, broadcast and cable, museum curators and even a couple of past Presidents!

The APIC cooperates with the Smithsonian, presidential libraries, homes, birthplaces and museums, national and local media as well as colleges and universities to facilitate the understanding of American politics using the artifacts of political campaigns.

Although the campaign button is the most recognized and widely collected of all campaign objects, our members actively hunt for vintage political ribbons, ferrotypes, glassware, china, autographs, books, textiles, ephemera, posters, medals, tokens, postcards, pennants, license plates, sheet music, and photography. Campaign artifacts range from matchbooks to street banners and everything in between!

The interests of our members extend not just to the presidents, but to the political campaigns themselves, the hopeful candidates, the third parties, the first ladies, the primaries, conventions and inaugurations. Many members actively collect material from local, state and even non-U.S. elections. Our publications reveal the stories and history behind the items used in the campaigns.

Dive into the World of Political Campaign Memorabilia
at APIC-Sponsored Shows

The APIC-sponsored shows held throughout the each year are alive with members buying, selling and trading all types of political campaign memorabilia. Your first experience at one of these shows will feel like “a kid in a candy store” as soon as you walk in. You will see more vintage, authentic political material in one room than you will find in a lifetime of searching antique shops and flea markets.

At these shows, our members and dealers welcome young people and new collectors. We are happy to answer any questions you have about the hobby, about specific items in your collection or provide you with assistance in focusing your collecting interests.

 These images show members at shows with interesting political campaign memorabilia.

Collect, Connect, Explore: APIC Experience

• Attend our shows.
• Visit our exhibits.
• Network with our experienced, dedicated collectors and dealers.
• See and handle vintage campaign items up close.
• Enjoy our world-class publications and learn the stories behind the objects we collect.
• Visit our website.
• Buy, sell and trade with others.
• By actively participating in the club, you will build a better collection and increase your knowledge and enjoyment of your hobby.
• And, best of all, you can buy with confidence. APIC’s strong Code of Ethics prohibits members from dealing in fakes and reproductions.
• We even work with eBay to identify and cancel on-line auctions that include such materials.