Could anybody shed some light on this button my buddy has?It came from a early mid,19 Cent. site,and the only legible backmark appears to say,"180",with a 5 or a 8? Thanks!
M.X.T , Tesoro Tejon 4"& 2.5" dredge with a little luck!!
This portrait bust image button is indeed quite the mystery, and one that undoubtedly has significance. The long flowing curly hair, is a style quite indicative of the 17th and 18th centuries A study of the portraits of prominent figures of the era, shows the style throughout Europe, in the circles of wealth and power. By the beginning of the 19th century though, this hair style had all but vanished. The particular style of button, being flat one-piece brass, with an attached wire shank, is generally considered to be 1790's-1840's period. The time period could maybe be stretched just a few years either way, yet flat one-piece brass buttons with attached wire shanks are almost never encountered in context with American Revolutionary War sites or earlier. I will venture a couple of further thoughts, for a possible connection.
Considering that William Pitt, The Younger, died in 1806, could possibly provide a logical connection to the "180?" date/numeral on the back of this button.
There are also known to be examples of buttons bearing the likeness of William Pitt, The Elder:
An additional observation, is that there certainly appears to be something quite odd in the vicinity of the bridge of the nose for the fellow depicted on the button. It could be debated that this is merely a flaw in the design, possibly a stray bit of corrosion, or maybe an area of patina inconsistency. However, the more I study this, it seems to me the fellow has a "Colonial Clothespin" stuck on his nose! Could this be a satirical image in reference to a dignitary having a position that something stinks? Maybe the Stamp Act?
Am I seeing things or does this guy look like he has a wishbone clipped over his nose? Huh
DCMatt
You are quite observant, as there is indeed something peculiar there!
My impression is that this may be a satirical figure, and referring to something that stinks (such as Great Britain during our American Colonial Era).
CC Hunter
..........somebody was just saying that!!!!!Great eye Matt!!!
If this guy DOES have a clip on his nose, could it have something to do with Patrick Henry of "I smell a rat!" fame? It sure looks like a political campaign button. Anti-Federalist party (1787)?
Pure speculation, I know. But it is fun...
DCMatt
Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing.
If this guy DOES have a clip on his nose, could it have something to do with Patrick Henry of "I smell a rat!" fame? It sure looks like a political campaign button. Anti-Federalist party (1787)? dontknow
Pure speculation, I know. But it is fun... Grin
DCMatt
That is an interesting possibility, as the time frame would also coincide well with the button style of manufacture, which is likely post-Rev War. Although, the long flowing hair of curls, seems to be more of a European fashion, and rarely seen with the frontier colonists.
I feel we are seeing a very rare political piece of history here.
The mystery though of "who", "where", "why", and "when", is still quite puzzling.
So it is a California find? It looks more like something that would come from the South Carolina low country or Virginia laughing7
Must be a South Caliafolina find!
Considering the port in that "area" was discovered by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542, mapped by Sebastian Vizcaino in 1602, and a permanent military post established by Gaspar de Portola in 1769, lends precedence to an occasional Spanish Colonial cob or early button to surface!
So it is a California find? It looks more like something that would come from the South Carolina low country or Virginia laughing7
Must be a South Caliafolina find!
Considering the port in that "area" was discovered by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542, mapped by Sebastian Vizcaino in 1602, and a permanent military post established by Gaspar de Portola in 1769, lends precedence to an occasional Spanish Colonial cob or early button to surface!
CC Hunter
M.X.T , Tesoro Tejon 4"& 2.5" dredge with a little luck!!
OK, I don't have any hard evidence yet but I've been working hard on this button. I'm fairly confident that it is an early political button. I'm guessing 1790's to 1830's based on the others I've seen on the internet but it could easily be mid 1800's - especially given the location of the find. Sadly, I don't have a clue who it might be.
As mentioned in the thread, the hair style looks like late 18th or early 19th C. My first thought was Charles Pinckney (circa 1800 - 1808) but I don't find any examples of political buttons with his likeness.
Still looking but getting frustrated...
DCMatt
Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing.
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Originally Posted by Silver Searcher
Could this be a satirical image in reference to a dignitary having a position that something stinks? Maybe the Stamp Act? 
..........somebody was just saying that!!!!!Great eye Matt!!!
