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Original 1937–1938 Ford Drive Pinback — “My Dollar Is Paid” — United Auto Workers Labor Organizing History
Wonderful original vintage 1937–1938 Ford Drive oval pinback button, featuring the bold patriotic red, white, and blue slogan:
“MY DOLLAR — 1937 — FORD DRIVE — 1938 — IS PAID”
This historically interesting button is associated with the United Auto Workers (UAW) campaign to organize employees of Ford Motor Company during the late 1930s, an important chapter in American industrial and labor history.
The button\'s distinctive design features large blue FORD DRIVE lettering, white lettering on a vivid red-and-blue background, and the original 1937 and 1938 dates.
The edge retains a Bastian Bros. Co., Rochester, New York manufacturer\'s identification.
The Ford Organizing Drive — 1937–1938
During the late 1930s, the United Auto Workers undertook a major effort to organize employees at Ford Motor Company, one of the most significant and difficult organizing campaigns in the American automobile industry.
While the UAW had already achieved important organizing successes elsewhere in the automotive industry, Ford resisted union recognition during this period.
The Ford Drive was part of the union\'s campaign to build financial and organizational support for its efforts at Ford.
This button\'s “MY DOLLAR IS PAID” slogan reflects the fundraising and contribution campaigns associated with that organizing effort.
The historical connection is supported by the Walter P. Reuther Library at Wayne State University, whose archival collections specifically identify a “My dollar is paid Ford Drive” button among materials documenting UAW organizing activity during 1937–1938.
The archive also preserves period correspondence concerning financial contributions to the Ford Drive.
These surviving buttons are tangible reminders of the early years of industrial union organizing and the struggle for collective bargaining rights in the American automobile industry.
Ford Motor Company eventually recognized the UAW in 1941, several years after the campaign commemorated by this pinback.
Distinctive Patriotic Design
This button features an unusual elongated oval format rather than the more common round pinback shape.
The printed face reads:
MY DOLLAR
1937
FORD DRIVE
1938
IS PAID
The vivid red, white, and blue colors and oversized lettering create a particularly appealing piece of 1930s American graphic design.
The wording emphasizes personal financial participation in the organizing effort and would have served as a visible indication of support for the campaign.
Bastian Bros. Co. — Rochester, New York
The curved edge of the button carries a small manufacturer identification:
BASTIAN BROS. CO.
ROCHESTER, N.Y.
Bastian Brothers was an established manufacturer of American pinback buttons, organizational badges, convention memorabilia, and commemorative novelties.
The manufacturer\'s identification is an appealing historical detail and helps establish the button\'s period production context.
The reverse retains its metal backing and original-style straight-pin fastening.
Collector Highlights
Original vintage 1937–1938 Ford Drive pinback
“MY DOLLAR IS PAID” organizing campaign slogan
Associated with early United Auto Workers (UAW) organizing
Ford Motor Company labor history
Attractive red, white, and blue patriotic design
Distinctive elongated oval shape
Bastian Bros. Co., Rochester, New York manufacturer imprint
Original-style straight-pin connected to the pre-1941 Ford union-recognition struggle
An interesting crossover collectible for labor, automotive, and industrial-history attractive vintage condition overall.
The original printed face retains strong red, white, and blue coloring, crisp typography, and good visual appeal. There are small surface scratches, scuffs, minor marks, and some edge wear consistent with age and handling.
The metal reverse shows scratches and general age-related wear. The original-style straight-pin hardware remains present; fastening function has not been tested.
The Bastian Bros. manufacturer identification remains visible along the curved edge.
Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition and construction.
Collector InterestAn appealing original artifact for collectors of American labor history, United Auto Workers memorabilia, UAW-CIO organizing, Ford Motor Company history, Detroit and Michigan industrial heritage, vintage automotive memorabilia, antique and vintage pinback buttons, 1930s advertising graphics, and New Deal-era Americana.
Unlike a conventional Ford automobile advertising button, this piece represents the labor movement\'s efforts to organize workers during a formative period in American automotive history.
This listing includes the single original vintage Ford Drive pinback button pictured.
Please visit Paper Trail Studio for more antique and vintage pinbacks, labor-union memorabilia, occupational photography, advertising, historical documents, and unusual pieces of Americana.
Combined shipping is available whenever practical.
