My first stop was my sewing area, where I quickly became engaged in browsing through the many buttons gathered over the years. Some gained by design for a specific project, others purchased due to the sheer beauty of them, others taken from clothes that are no longer fit for the public eye but with buttons that speak something special to you.
Buttons are mentioned in writings from the 17th Century and there is a record of John Eliot from England ordering three gross of pewter buttons for trading in the New World.
Philadelphia buttons were crafted from brass and became extremely popular in the early 1700s. Buttons at this time were also produced in crystal, glass, horn, beads, and tapestry. Some finer buttons were trimmed with silver.
In 1851 Nelson Goodyear patented a button crafted of rubber that was rigid enough to make a button.
Buttons of the 20th Century were largely plain with little or no decoration. Darker buttons were more desirable than light colored buttons. Buttons made before 1920 are generally more collectible than those made after this date. Exceptions include Bakelite buttons of the 1940s and Lucite buttons of the 1959s.
Buttons continue to be made out of various materials with great variety of decoration and styles. Buttons can be round, triangular, square, or made to look like a flower bud. Buttons made for children's clothing offers a fun collecting activity.
Buttons as a collection can be displayed in a variety of ways. I have some displayed in small glass display case, others are placed in jars trimmed with vintage ribbon and line the shelf in a guest room. I think learning math is more fun when counting bunnies on colorful red buttons!
Button offer a wide variety of collecting choices and endless ways in which to display and gain enjoyment from your collection
Button collecting can really be a family activity that is fun and requires no special knowledge or equipment.
Till next time, stay well, stay happy
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www.antiquesattheirongte.com
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