1927 German-American General Workers’ Union Detroit Michigan Convention Badge

This lot is a scarce antique badge for the 59th convention of the Allgemeiner Arbeiter Bund Des Staates Michigan or the General Workers’ Union of the State of Michigan held in Detroit, Michigan on June 14-16, 1927. The General Workers’ Union was a German-American labor union, established to represent the interests of German-speaking immigrants and workers. These types of unions often focused on issues such as better wages, working conditions, and political representation for German immigrants.This organization was part of the broader network of immigrant worker associations that existed in the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in communities with large German-American populations.

The badge is divided into three parts. The top part is a metal name holder which, in this case, has the name “Christ(opher) Schlenker, Jackson”. The middle part of the badge has a silk ribbon promoting the convention along with its date and location. The bottom part of the badge is a heavy brass medal bearing the name of the association. The badge is approximately 4″ tall by 2″ wide.