Early button help!!

[kuger]

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!

 

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[kuger]

Thanks Matt,appreciate it

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

I resized for those of us with small screens.

 

[kuger]

Thanks Big Cy...i was loading em on a different puter and dint know how to modify

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Very cool find!either its a really old button or not a button at all -----may be a curtain tie back/pin

 

[CC Hunter]

Very cool find!either its a really old button or not a button at all -----may be a curtain tie back/pin

There is no doubt that the item is an early button (note the shank on the back for thread attachment).

The topic of our question is whom is depicted on this button, what is the likely time period, and what significance is there in this profile image?

CC Hunter

 

[CC Hunter]

Upon considerable thought and detailed study, the image on this unique button is quite possibly none other than Benjamin Franklin! 8)

TimeKiller provided a valuable clue, with the addition of the Benjamin Franklin portait.

After more careful study of what was at first thought to be a "Colonial Clothspin", (or a "wishbone" as also quoted), which rests upon the nose of this individual, additional details soon emerged. The detail on the object crossing the nose, shows the same style of rope twist design, as seen around the perimeter of the button. Interestingly, as I looked closer, there appeared to be another slight line of the same rope twist design crossing the eye. Now, what have we here? These features are now beginning to look more like a pair of eyeglasses, or more precisely (since these are worn low on nose), a pair of bifocals!

Of all notable 18th century figures, whom of these is quite famously known to wear bifocals?

Mr. Benjamin Franklin of course, the distinguished inventor and father of bifocals!

http://www.antiquespectacles.com/topics/franklin/franklin.htm

CC Hunter

 

[DCMatt]

Ben Franklin would be cool but I think early posters on this thread were on the right track. It looks like King George II.







DCMatt

 

[CC Hunter]

Ben Franklin would be cool but I think early posters on this thread were on the right track. It looks like King George II.

The profile bears a very similar likeness to George II, yet how do we explain the details on the nose, and across the eye, that apparently form a pair of glasses or bifocals?

As described in my last post, there is definitely something crossing through the eye, and ending where the second red arrow points. This detail is in a straight line (slightly diagonal), from the nose, across the eye, and then ends at the temple. The line detail carries the rope twist design, and is in no way part of the eye detail. Glasses and bifocals of the 18th century actually did not hook over the ears as with more modern styles. They in fact only had short straight arms that merely reached the temples.

CC

 

[timekiller]

Ben Franklin would be cool but I think early posters on this thread were on the right track. It looks like King George II.

The profile bears a very similar likeness to George II, yet how do we explain the details on the nose, and across the eye, that apparently form a pair of glasses or bifocals?

As described in my last post, there is definitely something crossing through the eye, and ending where the second red arrow points. This detail is in a straight line (slightly diagonal), from the nose, across the eye, and then ends at the temple. The line detail carries the rope twist design, and is in no way part of the eye detail. Glasses and bifocals of the 18th century actually did not hook over the ears as with more modern styles. They in fact only had short straight arms that merely reached the temples.

CC

Agreed on the glass.
http://larsdatter.com/18c/spectacles.html
Here's a few types..........Nose spectacles.........Double folding frame...........straight temple.......etc.

 

[kuger]

 

[timekiller]

I think this might be the smoking gun for me..................
•Bifocal Lenses
1784
In 1784, Benjamin Franklin invented bifocal lenses. Bifocal lenses, as its name says, are 2-focus lenses. The bottom part of the lens is for near objects (like for reading), while the top part is for far objects (like for seeing farther places). Before the invention of this, people had to have 2 eyeglasses, one for nearsightedness and one for farsightedness. With this invention, one only had to look up or down to be able to "switch eyeglasses."

 

[CC Hunter]

The possible significance of this find is phenomenal.

In all my searches, online and through reference books, I have yet to find a likeness of Benjamin Franklin on an early button. If this is in fact an image of Franklin wearing bifocals, the historical and collector value will be very substantial.

Based of the style and construction of the button, late 1700's is a very close match, which also correlates perfectly with Benjamin Franklin and his invention of bifocals. An additional point of interest, is that some early spectacles had a small handle at the nose bridge, to provide ease in placement and removal from the nose. This could account for the prominent detail noted above the nose on this particular button. 8)

CC Hunter

 

[DCMatt]

The possible significance of this find is phenomenal.

In all my searches, online and through reference books, I have yet to find a likeness of Benjamin Franklin on an early button. If this is in fact an image of Franklin wearing bifocals, the historical and collector value will be very substantial.

Based of the style and construction of the button, late 1700's is a very close match, which also correlates perfectly with Benjamin Franklin and his invention of bifocals. An additional point of interest, is that some early spectacles had a small handle at the nose bridge, to provide ease in placement and removal from the nose. This could account for the prominent detail noted above the nose on this particular button. 8)

CC Hunter

I agree that this is a rare button and that it could be mid to late 1700's. But I'm not convinced the figure is wearing spectacles.

I'm still leaning towards a political button of some kind bearing the likeness of King George II or III. They are both described as "not good looking, having a large nose, very full lips, the bulbous Hanoverian eyes, and a high forehead". That fits the likeness on button to a tee. Ben Franklin was no beauty (although apparently the French ladies loved him) but his eyes didn't bug out like this guys. I don't think it is Ben.

Any chance we can get another picture of the nose area taken through a magnifying glass?

DCMatt

 

[DCMatt]

Did you know...?

Button-Maker: George III was often satirized in
caricatures as the “royal button maker” due
to his interest in mechanical devices.

What better way to make fun of the king than to put him on a button?

Well, I think it's funny...

DCMatt

 

[DCMatt]

Oxford Magazine - March 1770

A cartoon poking fun at George III as "The Button Maker".



I wish one of the Brits would chime in on this again.

DCMatt

 

[kuger]

Thanks Matt!!

 

[CC Hunter]

Matt,

The information on George III, "The Button Maker", is very interesting! The cartoon with George III is great!
All of these supporting historical information pieces gained during our "treasure hunt", make for a very rewarding and educational foray!

On this particular button image, the profile does indeed appear to more closely match George III, than Benjamin Franklin. However, notice the satirical 18th century characters in the provided cartoon above, and how each and every one has similar features as well. A further point to ponder, is the fact that during the 18th century, access to any good likenesses of a person such as Benjamin Franklin would be extremely limited. If a button maker in a distant city or country (far removed from where Franklin resided), wished to make a button bearing the image of Benjamin Franklin, there would be few precise facial details for comparison. Considering that the printed and spoken word was the primary means of conveying news and information of the time, lends precedence to the fact that while most of America and Europe had heard of Benjamin Franklin, few had seen a comparable image likeness, much less Benjamin Franklin in person. Undoubtedly Franklin was well noted for inventing bifocals, as well as wearing them (note the many portrait images we have now with that likeness). We may consider a somewhat caricaturized image of Benjamin Franklin, produced by a button maker without ever having met or even seen Franklin, nor any comparable image. As Timekiller pointed out, bifocals could well be the "smoking gun"! 8)

CC Hunter

 

[DCMatt]

Bump.

I think this is an important find but I can't prove any of it. I'm hoping someone else will see or know something about it that I don't.

I still think the image is KGII or KGIII because of the Hanoverian features. But what is the thing across the nose? Could it be a political button of some kind - similar to the "No Stamp Act" buttons?

Somebody give me another clue!

DCMatt