He says the flag lapel pins in his collection don’t really date back before mid-century. “I don’t think it was a common thing for men and women to wear before the Second World War,” he says.

But the lapel pin can speak volumes. We forget the pin’s versatility, because in recent years the lapels of American politicians have mostly served as real estate for American flag pins.

Many politicians can't be seen without a flag on their lapel, but Sen. Barack Obama isn't one of them. Obama was questioned about why he doesn't always wear a flag pin during a Democratic debate ...