Pin, Hat, Novelty, Bug, Turquoise, UITA 3 Mark, Provenance, Vintage, 766

SPREAD YOUR WINGS

Expand your style and add these little bug pins to your collection. Their entirety is made from sterling silver and each of them has one round turquoise stone. To keep them in place is locking c-clasp so that no matter where you decide to put them, they won't fly away.

The United Indian Traders Association (UITA) was established on September 13, 1931 for the expressed purpose of authentication of Indian crafts. At the time, the UITA was an important player both in Indian cultural life and in advocating for the sale of authentic Indian arts and crafts. UITA was incorporated as a non-profit in New Mexico, with the support of a number of traders and San Francisco attorney Charles  Elkus. Bert Staples (Coolidge, NM) was UITA's first President, R. C. Master (Zuni, NM) was Vice President, C. N. Cotton (Gallup, NM) served as Treasurer and Tobe Turpen (Gallup, NM) was Secretary. Directors included L. L. Sabin, C. G. Wallace, J. M. Drolet, Ramon Hubbell, Lloyd Ambrose, Bruce Barnard and Mike Kirk.  All of the founding directors and officers were veteran owners of trading posts in the Southwest. The founding membership of 753 grew to over 125 in about 10 years.