Government Savings War Savings Serv. WSS Shirt Stud Aug. C Frank

This is a World War I era shirt stud that promote support for the War Savings Service. It measures 5/8 inch across and reads Government Saving W.S.S., and appropriately features a bust of Benjamin Franklin. The War Savings Service program was established by the National War Savings Committee of the US Treasury during 1917 to 1918 to promote savings by citizens and to encourage the purchase of War Savings Stamps, to help the government to help fund American participation in World War I. The program was implemented by advocating the organization of local voluntary savings associations to create local programs in the states. A shirt stud like this would likely have been worn by a federal employee like a post office official, or a local organizer. As indicated by the back mark, this button stud was made by the August C. Frank Co. of Philadelphia (1894-1972). The August C. Frank was a well-established manufacture of medals, and this stud was likely distributed to organizations in Pennsylvania. This example has wear, and is somewhat bent.