Terry Bond Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 (edited) There was a time when well-dressed gentlemen wore vests - or 'waistcoats' as they are called. Buttons on early waistcoats were precious items and were removable so they could be changed from one vest to another, or removed for cleaning (both buttons and the vest itself). The well-attired gentleman often had buttons on their vests that were thematic, reflecting their interests. Many of these buttons were decorated with trains, animals, hunting scenes, sporting images, and in the early days of motoring, having buttons with automobiles on them would clearly identify you as a motoring enthusiast. These early buttons were produced in stamped metal and also in glass with lithographed automobile images inserted under the glass. A few of them were even hand painted under glass. I don't know how many different types of these exist, but they seem quite difficult to find. I've identified and obtained photos of a few that I don't currently have in my collection, and several that I am fortunate to own. I've found them in antique markets, on the internet of course, but have managed to make contact with a few button specialist dealers who have supplied others. The majority are English and are found in shops and markets there. Here are some photos to enjoy - and you may consider this also as a "wanted" list. If you have or find any like these let me know. First set photo'd is a wonderful hand painted under glass four button set in the original box. It was a Hershey discovery a few years ago. They are Italian from the early 1900s. Second photo is a full set of six lithographed under glass buttons with a motoring scene. These are English, sold in a London jewelry shop. These are also early 1900s. Third photo is one of a set of four buttons recently acquired from an antique dealer in England. It's an image I'd not seen previously. I have an antique celluloid button box with an early motoring scene embossed on the box that will contain these buttons, and I'm looking for two more like this to complete the six button set. Fourth photo is of a single button in my collection. It cane from an antique dealer in France and is the only example of this image I've ever seen. The last two images are of buttons that I am looking for. I do not have these in my collection. Last photo is of the celluloid button box mentioned above. Again, early 1900s. It is very fragile and a miracle it has survived all these years undamaged. A small collection, and a challenge to find these, but I really enjoy them. Terry Edited July 8, 2020 by Terry Bond (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 Terry, thanks for posting this my friend. Very very interesting and something I have never read about before! way cool. These forums are an education in so many subjects and I hope many realize that and don't just take it for granted. It takes time for all of us to take pictures, or scan photos etc. to present here what you are looking at . The opportunity to comment and add information is also there ( although some people feel that their knowledge is fact since they 'heard it someplace, once, maybe, sort of) and fortunately we do have some people who are more knowledgeable about things because of the time they have spent over years and decades to sort out myth from fact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoneyPit Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 I have seen these buttons in person and have to comment that the pictures do not do them justice! A very unusual collection that I had never seen before Terry shared them. Thank you for this thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoneyPit Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 Here’s my one Duster Button, something similar but not quite in the same category as the ones above. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted July 9, 2020 Author Share Posted July 9, 2020 That's a great button - two more and you have an official collection. I was recently sent a photo of a nice bunch of them that have been framed. Will try and share that here later if I can. 3 hours ago, Walt G said: Terry, thanks for posting this my friend. Very very interesting and something I have never read about before! way cool. These forums are an education in so many subjects and I hope many realize that and don't just take it for granted. It takes time for all of us to take pictures, or scan photos etc. to present here what you are looking at . The opportunity to comment and add information is also there ( although some people feel that their knowledge is fact since they 'heard it someplace, once, maybe, sort of) and fortunately we do have some people who are more knowledgeable about things because of the time they have spent over years and decades to sort out myth from fact. Your're right Walt, one of the ideas behind this is so we can all learn something. Looking at my own collection(s) there are some areas where little information has ever existed. I've learned for even supposed "experts" there is always new information available. Hopefully this kind of forum will help serve that purpose. I'll be asking shortly for additional information about some early prints I've collected as an example - lots of questions! Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Kingsley Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 This aspect of the hobby is totally new to me...I don't wish to brag but I can't remember the last time I discovered a collectible I wasn't aware of, for this hobby. Way cool. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted July 12, 2020 Author Share Posted July 12, 2020 On 7/11/2020 at 12:01 AM, Billy Kingsley said: This aspect of the hobby is totally new to me...I don't wish to brag but I can't remember the last time I discovered a collectible I wasn't aware of, for this hobby. Way cool. The list of items you can collect related to the automobile is vast. I've been writing a monthly column for our local AACA newsletter (The Mudflap) since 2013. I've covered a different topic each month, and have enough ideas on my list to last another six years! I'll probably get tired of writing by then. One of my regular annual articles is a report on Hershey, which will need something else to run in its place this year. Instead, I may write a "virtual Hershey" story about all the stuff that turns up on the web. Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Kingsley Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 That's very cool. If you have yet to cover trading cards, you are welcome to use any of the scans I've posted or have on my website...all I ask for is a photocopy of the article for my own collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted July 13, 2020 Author Share Posted July 13, 2020 In Jan 2018 I did an article on just cigarette cards and didn't cover the full spectrum so it may a topic I'll expand on later. Appreciate the offer. Will be glad to send you a copy - here is a link to the article I've already done. http://www.traaca.com/images/01_2018_Mudflap_WEB.pdf Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Kingsley Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 great article! Thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now