Help With Button I.D.

[Ripcon]

Here's a flat button I found at an old Louisiana plantation on Saturday. It had lots of crud on it and after soaking for 2 days I'm finally able to see a backmark. I believe it says:
Andrews & Brothers Philad
I haven't been able to find anything on this backmark. Does anyone know anything about it? Thanks for any assistance.

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

i dont have my button backmark book here but i like the gold gilding

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Is there anything on the face and how big is it?
Gold plating often remains on back of these, because the front receives most of the wear.

I did some online research for your button retailer and found no reference to them?
What we need here is an expert on buttons like TheCannonballGuy to take a look at your button.

Dave

 

[Ripcon]

Is there anything on the face and how big is it?
Gold plating often remains on back of these, because the front receives most of the wear.

I did some online research for your button retailer and found no reference to them?
What we need here is an expert on buttons like TheCannonballGuy to take a look at your button.

Dave

It’s the size of a nickel.
It is plain with nothing on the front of the button.
I’m hoping thecannonballguy can take a look as well.

 

[Ripcon]

I don’t want to say my button is rare or anything like that, but I’ve checked several sources and can’t Andrews & Brothers anywhere. I’m assuming it is indeed an America button since it is stamped Philadelphia.
Any ideas about button sources that might know?

 

[DigDug216]

I love buttons. So many kinds.

 

[Ripcon]

Buttons are one of my favorite things to dig. It can tell a lot about the age of a site and the type of clothes people wore. Based on this buttons construction, I’m guessing 1800-1840 time period. But I can’t find this button manufacturer listed anywhere, even among the smaller firms of the day. I’m sure this wasn’t the only button produced by this company. But it sure isn’t a common one that’s for sure. I love that old lettering style that they used and the gold retention on this one.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I did some online research for your button retailer and found no reference to them?
What we need here is an expert on buttons like TheCannonballGuy to take a look at your button.

Dave

I dont have the good button backmark book CBG sent me because Im in the swamp but he has the book if he notices this thread.

 

[duggap]

I couldn't find the Name in my backmark book. Some of the larger button makers would sometimes sell a clothing maker or seller buttons with their name on them instead of the maker. I have no idea if this is what happened here but something for you to consider.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I decided to dig around and I found something that fits on page 3 of the Jeffersonian Republican 1 August, 1828. https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=JRB18280801.1.1&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------


WILL BE SOLD At prime cost, without reserve, a large and valuable stock of desirable GOODS.

We will sell any article, by wholesale or retial, at prime cost, as we are determined to close all our business by the 1st of December. Our reason for doing is our resident partner of this place is determined to remove to Philadelphia, and we positively pledge ourselves to discontinue this branch

Dry Goods, Hardware, Groceries, Earthen and Glass War-, Shoes, Hats, Books, Clothing, Looking Glasses, &c. &c.. ANDREWS & BROTHERS. N. B. Our resident partner in this place will dispose of all

 

[Ripcon]

I decided to dig around and I found something that fits on page 3 of the Jeffersonian Republican 1 August, 1828. https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=JRB18280801.1.1&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------


WILL BE SOLD At prime cost, without reserve, a large and valuable stock of desirable GOODS.

We will sell any article, by wholesale or retial, at prime cost, as we are determined to close all our business by the 1st of December. Our reason for doing is our resident partner of this place is determined to remove to Philadelphia, and we positively pledge ourselves to discontinue this branch

Dry Goods, Hardware, Groceries, Earthen and Glass War-, Shoes, Hats, Books, Clothing, Looking Glasses, &c. &c.. ANDREWS & BROTHERS. N. B. Our resident partner in this place will dispose of all

View attachment 1800681View attachment 1800680

This is fantastic. This must be my guy. So, I guess he had buttons specially made with his company name to fit his brand.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Could there be more lettering under the crud? Maybe an address?

 

[fyrffytr1]

It looks like more marks around the shank. Also, that doesn't look like Philadelphia to me.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I think its PHILADA

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

BigCypressHunter is correct, the backmark says "PHILADa" which is a frequently-seen abbreviation for Philadelphia in button backmarks.

Also... it is known with certainty, from historical button-maker records, that a maker usually offered his customers the option of having the customer's business name as the button's backmark, as a form of advertizing. The book on historical button backmarks by McGuinn-&-Bazelon lists many tailor-shops and clothing-sellers as backmarks even though those shops never manufactured any buttons. This button's "Andrews & Brothers" backmark is an example of that option given to button-maker customers.

I should mention, another example of that is a very famous "button dealer" who never manufactured a single button... the Horstmann Company.

 

[Ripcon]

BigCypressHunter is correct, the backmark says "PHILADa" which is a frequently-seen abbreviation for Philadelphia in button backmarks.

Also... it is known with certainty, from historical button-maker records, that a maker usually offered his customers the option of having the customer's business name as the button's backmark, as a form of advertizing. The book on historical button backmarks by McGuinn-&-Bazelon lists many tailor-shops and clothing-sellers as backmarks even though those shops never manufactured any buttons. This button's "Andrews & Brothers" backmark is an example of that option given to button-maker customers.

I should mention, another example of that is a very famous "button dealer" who never manufactured a single button... the Horstmann Company.

Thank you so much. Great information!