This pin is a replica of the official logo for the Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo, NY in 1901. A panel of ten judges from the New York Sunday World newspaper reviewed thousands of design submissions before declaring local artist Raphael Beck of Lockport, NY as the winner. The outstretched hands of the subjects represent the optimism of Pan-American organizers to foster unity among North, South, and Central America. The logo represented the Exposition on a wide array of advertising materials, including over two million cards advertising the fair worldwide.