United States. Two Ladies Of The Grand Army Of The Republic (Gar) Awards

Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic 46th National Encampment at Los Angeles Medal 1912 (bronze gilt, maker marked "SCHWAAB S. & S. CO. MILWAUKEE" on the reverse, 35.8 mm, original ribbon); and Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic Veteran's Membership Badge (reddish bronze, maker marked "AUG. C. FRANK CO. PHILA." on the reverse, 35.5 mm x 33.2 mm, missing its ribbon and pinback hanger). Near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, US Navy, Marines and Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, it was dissolved in 1956 when its last member died. Linking men through their experience of the war, the GAR became among the first organized advocacy groups in American politics, supporting voting rights for black veterans, lobbying the U.S. Congress to establish veterans' pensions, and supporting Republican political candidates. Its peak membership, at more than 400,000, was in 1890; a high point of Civil War commemorative ceremonies. It was succeeded by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), composed of male descendants of Union veterans.