ccrook
Tenderfoot
1840's House Reno Finds: Flat Button & Random Question
Hi all,
I'm new to the site, but an avid coin collector. I've been working to re-open an old fireplace, adjacent nook, and rear window in my 1840's Baltimore row house that was previously drywalled over. In the process, I was using my pinpointer on a large pile of dust and debris in a soffit area at the top of the nook next to the fireplace and recovered a few items of interest (old jade fragment, buttons, clasps, pins -- seems like someone's sewing box spilled and a few went through the floor boards.
Where it came from:
![IMAG0153[1].webp](https://www.treasurenet.com/data/attachments/1151/1151498-79924511cd82baff77bd0d0cf65d1266.jpg?hash=Ce08Wpi7-w "IMAG0153[1].webp")
I found this flat button that looks pretty old. Appears to be brass, with backmark "BESTE QUALITAET", a star, and then two letters -- which I can't make out. Obviously, given the spelling it doesn't appear to be US-made. I was curious if anyone was able to date it for me, or possibly provide the origin.
I was also curious if there is a name for the basement alleyway that runs from the front of my property (very steep stairs) exactly between my neighbors home and mine (actually running under the part wall -- joists from both homes are visible). I've heard this was previously used for coal delivery, providing access to either the basement via a door in the alley (didn't see one, but could have been closed off) of the home and/or to the rear of the property where the cellar door is located.
I'm considering metal detecting this space since there are floorboards above it in some locations where items may have fallen. Think it's worth it?
Hi all,
I'm new to the site, but an avid coin collector. I've been working to re-open an old fireplace, adjacent nook, and rear window in my 1840's Baltimore row house that was previously drywalled over. In the process, I was using my pinpointer on a large pile of dust and debris in a soffit area at the top of the nook next to the fireplace and recovered a few items of interest (old jade fragment, buttons, clasps, pins -- seems like someone's sewing box spilled and a few went through the floor boards.
Where it came from:
I found this flat button that looks pretty old. Appears to be brass, with backmark "BESTE QUALITAET", a star, and then two letters -- which I can't make out. Obviously, given the spelling it doesn't appear to be US-made. I was curious if anyone was able to date it for me, or possibly provide the origin.
I was also curious if there is a name for the basement alleyway that runs from the front of my property (very steep stairs) exactly between my neighbors home and mine (actually running under the part wall -- joists from both homes are visible). I've heard this was previously used for coal delivery, providing access to either the basement via a door in the alley (didn't see one, but could have been closed off) of the home and/or to the rear of the property where the cellar door is located.
I'm considering metal detecting this space since there are floorboards above it in some locations where items may have fallen. Think it's worth it?
