Virginia Amato
Where do you live?
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
What do you collect?
Political Buttons
How long have you been collecting these pieces?
I'd say about 50 years. My first ones were during the John F Kennedy campaign.
Why did you start collecting them?
I wanted a piece of history. I thought they were exciting.
How much do you spend for one?
Some are given to me from friends that know I collect but I've never spent more than $5.00 for one.
How many do you have?
Approximately 225. Occationally I'll move a box and find a baggy with a few of them in it.
How do you display them?
I have these four 3D boxes that holds about 15 in each. The rest are in baggies.
Do you have a favorite?
That would be "A Man Came Out Of The West- Hart". Mid campaign he was ruined in a sex scandal.
Tell us a short story about one of your pieces.
In 1960 I had this tiny apartment in Madison, Wisconsin called Crestwood. It was maybe 800 sq.ft. I decided to have a "tea" for contributions towards the Kennedy campaign. There were rumors that Jackie was going to show up. It was all very exciting. Jackie didn't make it but her sister-in-law, Eunice Shriver did. As a thank you, she gave all the ladies a golden "Kennedy '60 PT Boat" pin. I still have that one. It's worth about $85.
