Button ID

[circa42]

I found this button near an old foundation along the Delaware River many years ago. It is thought that this building was an inn dating back to the very early 1800's. The front shows a stag with 3 wheat stalks in his mouth, the reverse has the following words... Firmin & Langdale, 153 Strand.
Any information would be appreciated.

 

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[nhbenz]

Nice button! If I'm not mistaken that backmark would date this between 1811-1824. British manufacturer. A type of "livery button", which often depicted animals, generally worn by servants. I've found a few VERY similar ones online, but I've read that they have to be exact to be attributable to a specific group/family. http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/buttons.htm http://ourpasthistory.com/Gallery/livery_crest

 

[Montana Jim]

Nice button! If I'm not mistaken that backmark would date this between 1811-1824. British manufacturer. A type of "livery button", which often depicted animals, generally worn by servants. I've found a few VERY similar ones online, but I've read that they have to be exact to be attributable to a specific group/family. http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/buttons.htm http://ourpasthistory.com/Gallery/livery_crest

Your not mistaken (at least according to my listings for firmin backmarks):

FIRMIN & SON 1790'S; 1823-1840
FIRMIN & WESTALL 1800-1811
FIRMIN & LANGDALE 1812-1823
P & S FIRMIN 1840-1875
FIRMIN & SONS LD Post 1875

 

[circa42]

Thanks so much for the information about the button. I'll tag it and mount it with the others that I've found, I don't have many but they look good on the wall.

 

[Montana Jim]

Buttons are awesome... knowing about them helps make 'em moe interesting. I also think they look good displayed.

 

[Angelo]

NICE ONE NHBENZ!!

Circa42's looks in much better condition

Tony

 

[dugupfinds]

WOW. That is as good as they get. I have just over 200 Livery Buttons & only 10 are as good as that one.

Excellent find. I never had an interest in buttons until I detected, but I quite like them now.

Here is how they normally come out:

 

[Montana Jim]

Here is TOO MUCH INFORMATION on Firmin buttons!!!

Source: http://www.angelfire.com/wa/dianaspage/BritishButtonBackmarks.html

FIRMIN
Addresses in parentheses are listed for ownership of the firm, but may not appear on the actual back of the button.
Thomas Firming. (Pre 1770)
S. Firmin Strand (1771-1780)
Firmin & Westall. (53 The Strand. London.) (1794-1812)
Firmin & Langdale. (53 The Strand. London.) (1811-1824)
Firmin Strand London (c. 1825)
Robert Firmin. (Clare Court & Drury Lane.) (1826)
P & S Firmin (1837)
Firmin & King. (13 Condiut St.) (1838)
Firmin & Sons 153 Strand (-1875)
Firmin & Sons 153 Strand London (-1875)
Firmin & Sons 153 Strand & 13 Conduit St. London (1852-1875)
Firmin & Sons 13 Conduit St. London (date ?)
Firmin & Sons LD 153 Strand London (1876-1894)
Firmin & Sons LD 135 Strand London (error) (1876-1894)
Firmin & Sons LD 153 Strand, 47 Warwick St. London (1880-1894)
Firmins 47 Warwick Street W London (1879-1904)
Firmin & Sons LTD 6 Warwick St., Regent St London (date?)
Firmin & Sons London (late 19th Century)
Firmin London & Birmingham (1882-)
Firmin's London & B'ham (1882-)
Firmin LTD London & Birmingham (1882-)
Firmin & Sons LD Birmingham (1882-)
Firmin & Sons LD Halesowen (1882-)
Firmin & Sons LTD London Patent 2346 (1884-?)
Firmin & Sons LD St Martins Lane London (1895-1915)
Firmin & Sons LD 108 St Martins Lane London (1895-1915)
Firmin & Sons LD London (early 20th Century)
Firmin & Sons LTD London (early 20th Century)
Firmins LTD London (20th Century)
Firmin London (mid 20th Century)
Firmin England (mid 20th Century)

In 1875 the firm became a Ltd Co with these addresses:
Firmin & sons. 153 The Strand. (1875-1894)
Firmin & sons. 13 Condiut St. "
Firmin & sons. 20 Stanhope St. "
Firmin & sons. St. Martins Lane. "
Firmin & sons. Globe Works. "
Firmin & sons. Cork St. (1915)
Firmin & sons. 81 Ford St., London. (1968)
Firmin & sons. Newtown Row. Birmingham. (from 1971)

Interesting Firmin Tidbits, provided directly from Darren Reynolds of Firmin!
Firmin was located at Conduit Street from 1838 to 1879.
In 1882 Firmin and Sons opened a factory in St Paul's Square in Birmingham which remained there till 1892.
In 1892 the factory moved to Globe Works in Villa Street, Aston, Birmingham.
In 1971 the factory moved from Aston to Newtown Row where Firmin continues to manufacture buttons today.


In 1981 Firmin became Firmin and Sons, PLC.
In 1994 Firmin's London office closed.
Firmin from then on based solely at Firmin House in Newtown Row, Birmingham.
In 2006 Firmin reverted to Firmin and Sons Ltd.


J R Gaunt and Son was bought by Firmin and Sons in 1991 and remains part of Firmin and Sons Ltd today.


Firmin's current address:
Firmin & Sons, Ltd.
Firmin House
82-86 New Town Row
Birmingham B6 4HU
UK
website: www.firmin.co.uk
email: military@firmin.co.uk
Tel: 0121 380 0806
Fax: 0121 359 3321

 

[Angelo]

MONTANA!!

Could you please verify that they made buttons.

Thanking you in advance.

Tony

 

[Montana Jim]

MONTANA!!

Could you please verify that they made buttons.

Thanking you in advance.

Tony

Tony... see highlighted potions above... 8)

Jim

 

[Angelo]

I already said thank you!

Tony

p.s. Have a great weekend. I for one enjoy your sense of humor.

And a good weekend to all! I'm so glad that I joined this forum!

Great People!