“Western” Union Button Necklace

This one-of-a-kind necklace features an authentic antique Western Union button, a rare artifact from the early days of American telecommunications and organized labor.

Stamped simply with the word “Western,” this button would have been worn by workers connected to the Western Union Telegraph Company—an organization that transformed how information traveled across the country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At a time when telegraph lines stitched the nation together, Western Union employees stood at the forefront of a new kind of labor: communication itself.

Buttons like this served as quiet identifiers, signaling affiliation, pride, and participation in an industry that powered commerce, news, and connection long before the digital age.

This original button has been carefully preserved and hand-set in solid .925 sterling silver, allowing it to be worn without compromising its historical integrity. It hangs from an 18-inch sterling silver rope chain, chosen for durability and timeless appeal.

The richly textured surface, warm patina, and softened lettering are consistent with age and authentic use. No restoration or artificial aging has been applied.

This piece is a true one-of-one collector artifact and cannot be replicated.

• Genuine antique Western Union button (circa late 1800s–early 1900s)

• Associated with early American telecommunications labor

• Hand-set in solid .925 sterling silver bezel

• 18-inch sterling silver rope chain included

• One of a kind

Note: Telecommunications artifacts from this era are increasingly scarce, especially those preserved in wearable condition. This piece represents a pivotal moment in American history—when communication became an industry and workers became the conduits of connection across vast distances.

This necklace exists at the intersection of industrial history, labor identity, and contemporary adornment.