| The picture below shows front and back views of this Rare World War I Cracker Jack Pop Corn Confection Pot Metal or Lead Miniature Toy Prize Uncle Sam Lapel Stud Button. This Uncle Sam figure is marching or posing holding a rifle. It is marked “US” on his back pack. He is wearing a top hat that is inked in blue (doesn’t show up well in the picture), and striped pants inked in red. This was an early and rare World War II Patriotic Cracker Jack box prize. The Cracker Jack prize ID number for these is: ZP-0063, and they were from 1940 and 1941 by The Cosmo Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois. Many of the pot metal or lead prizes were manufactured by the Tootsietoy Company of Chicago, Illinois. There were other companies, including from Japan prior to World War II. Some of these type prizes were made specifically for Cracker Jack, while others were made as novelties, bought in volume, and used as prizes by The Cracker Jack Company. Pot metal or lead prizes were some of the earliest prizes that were used in Cracker Jack boxes from the 1910s to the late 1940s. Many of these type prizes or novelties were also sold out of old Johnson Smith & Company catalog as well as some other early novelty catalogs, also used in fortune telling sets, and some were also sold and used as board game parts. Many of these can be found factory painted, inked, or with no finish at all. This figural lapel stud button measures about 1/2'' x 1-1/2'' x 1/4''. It appears to be in near mint condition as pictured. |
