The Times Union’s “Buddies Ambition Club”

So I found a very interesting piece of the Times Union’s history.  And I have absolutely no idea what it’s supposed to represent.

It’s a copper, coin-shaped object about the size of a penny.  On the obverse are the words “Buddies Ambition Club,” an inkwell and feathered quill, and the words “Albany Times Union.”  The reverse has an almost illegible maker’s mark.

And thus begins a mystery.

What is the history behind this coin?  Was it some sort of fraternal newspaper guild pin or talisman?  Was it a customized award for an employee named Buddy upon his retirement?  Was it part of a promotional tie-in to encourage kids to read the Times Union?  Was it the “Were You SEEN” of a bygone era?

I have no idea.  The only thing I’ve found on the internet was the eBay auction that I entered – and won – to claim this coin.

A Google search turned up an “Ambition Club,” one that was operated by a bank in Milwaukee.  I don’t know if it’s the same thing, but apparently in the 1920’s the First Wisconsin Trust Company offered a junior savings group called an “Ambition Club.”

Now we’ve all gone through our junior savings passbook accounts… you know, the little cardboard books with cutouts for whatever dimes we’ve saved; perhaps this was a joint project with the TU to encourage kids to invest their savings, similar to the “Ambition Club” advertised in Milwaukee.  Maybe.

Or maybe it’s something else.

I posted a picture of the coin on one of my Facebook groups pages, the group “Albany … the way it was.”  That Facebook group features thousands of photographs of the Capital City, as well as newspaper advertisements and remembrances.  I figured if somebody – anybody – might know something about this little treasure, it would be a member of this FB group.

Although I didn’t get anything definitive, I did get a message from Kevin McGrath, one of the members of the group.  “Two tidbits which may or may not help. The Ambition Club was a charitable organization similar to the Boys Club, established in the UK in 1925. The expression “Buddies Ambition Club” was copyrighted in the US in 1927. No idea if there is a connection.”

Thanks, Kevin.  So another question appears.  Another avenue approached.

But why the “Ink Pot” reference?  If this is for a banking / saving project, or if it’s part of a charitable organization, how does the image of an inkwell and quill pen fit in?

Mystery upon mystery, I guess.

So if anybody has an answer to this riddle, if anybody out there can identify the little coin or its significance, by all means let me know.  I’m definitely curious and would like to find out more about this piece.

I figured that if someone took the time to strike this little medal… then there must be some backstory to it.

Hope you can help. 🙂