"Rich Orange Colour" Button

[hogge]

Found at a late 1700's site. Says "Rich Orange Colour" on back. VERY well made. I believe front has some design on front. Am trying to clean to see. Can someone give maker and time period. THANKS Hogge

[Montana Jim]

It's not a "back mark" - but a "quality mark". I'd date it to the1790s to early 1800s given the lack of a picture... or being able to see it.

The quality marks are generally unattributable to any certain maker, but can be in some cases. Someone with a button book might have that information available to them.

Quality Mark's : "A term used for certain words found on the backs of buttons made after 1800. It is believed the purpose of the words was mainly to promote sales, as the differences in quality can seldom be noted. Most of the marks appeared between 1800 and 1850. Examples are "Rich Gold", "Gilt", and "Rich Orange" (Luscomb 1967:163).

I know it's not much help - but thats as close as I can get. Quality marks were used in both British and American manufacturing.

Maybe someone else knows more...

[ivan salis]

with the u in colour (color) thinking british made

[Montana Jim]

with the u in colour (color) thinking british made

I agree with Ivan... that would generally be the case! The british companies sold buttons to both sides during the CW...