This is a set of six buttons for the Knights of Pythias organization. This is a fraternal organization and secret society that was founded in Washington D.C. during the Civil War. The Knights of Pythias was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the US Congress. It was founded by Justus Rathbone, after he was inspired by a play about the legend of Damon and Pythias. The order is founded on the ideals of loyalty, honor and friendship. The Knights of Pythias has over 50,000 members with over 2000 lodges in the US and world wide. Members of the fraternity include former US Presidents Warren G Harding, William McKinley and Franklin D Roosevelt, former Vice Presidents Hubert Humphrey and nelson Rockefeller and many US Supreme Court Justices and political figures. These coat size buttons are all two piece in construction. The are domed with the rim and are all back marked M.C. Lilley & Co. Columbus O. These buttons were produced between 1880 and 1890, according to the back marks. These will make a great gift for the collector of US Fraternal Organizations.

Item # AA1475