One piece, Eagle button....I need some ID help. (update: Diplomatic Button)

[sneaky6]

Hey Tneters,

I found a one piece, flat Eagle button this weekend and need some help figuring out its origin. I am not posting the picture of the actual button, because it is a low relief button without much gilt. It just does not show up well with my camera. Instead, I am posting an example I found online that shows up much better. The website where I found the pic says it is either an Early US Official's or Officer's Button. The backmark on my button is pretty corroded thus illegible. In size, my button is slightly smaller than an US Quarter. Maybe someone can tell me a little more.

Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks!!

Keep Digging!!
Sneaky6

 

[johnnyi]

Re: One piece, Eagle button....I need some ID help.

Ha! your picture of the button just appeared. I was refering to the one in your monicker before. Your's seems to be an official button, but I have to check Tice for the backmark..

 

[sneaky6]

Re: One piece, Eagle button....I need some ID help.

The button is definitely made of brass with a gold gilt. The backmark is not visible, but the rings on the backmark seem to match those of the pic I posted. Thanks, Johnny!!

Sneaky6

 

[BuckleBoy]

Re: One piece, Eagle button....I need some ID help.

I can't seem to find this one right off in Tice, but in Albert's book it is listed as #OD 11 with the following quote, reprinted from "Diplomatic Plumage: American Court Dress in the Early National Period" by Robert Ralph Davis, Jr., Ohio Northern University, in American Quarterly, Summer 1968:

"The American diplomatic costume authorized for the Ghent mission was the model for the subsequent State Department directive of Nov. 6, 1817, which stipulated that American ministers abroad should procure a blue coat, lined with white silk...Buttons plain, or, if they can be had, with the artillerist's eagle stamped on them, i.e., an eagle flying, with a wreath in its mouth, grasping lightning in one of its talons."

So it appears that this is a U.S. foreign minister or diplomat's button.

The ones listed in Albert are backmarked "Armitage/Phila" or "John Earl/New York." I don't see a Robinson backmark listed. Armitage also made many of the infantry officers' buttons during the 1812 period. What is the backmark on yours? (Even just a few letters might help.) The rarity of the button is pretty good, evidently--RV40 for the Armitage bm and RV35 for the John Earl bm.


Regards,


Buckles

 

[sneaky6]

Re: One piece, Eagle button....I need some ID help.

Thanks, Buckles!! I will try and clean that back up a bit and see if I can make out a letter or two. I have to start working the grill for a BBQ birthday party, but I will try to break away to clean the button when I can.

Your posts and insight are always appreciated, Buckles!

Regards,
Sneaky6

 

[johnnyi]

Re: One piece, Eagle button....I need some ID help.

sneaky, this Robinson backmark seems to be the three concentric rings variety used between 1813 and 1828. (R. Robinson & Co. Attleborough extra rich)

 

[sneaky6]

Re: One piece, Eagle button....I need some ID help. ( update: Diplomatic Button)

Thanks for all the help. I tried to clean the back of the button a little more, but have not had too much success. I'll try again soon. I have to get back to the birthday party.

Be Good!!
Sneaky6

 

[BuckleBoy]

Glad I could help.

 

[sneaky6]

No more luck attaining a backmark, but I'll keep trying to catch a letter or two from the button's back. Maybe a friend with a keener eye will be more successful. Thanks again for all the help!

Sneaky6