VMI CADET Button Found - R.W. Robinson on back - Civil War??

[thekise]

About 7" down by a huge old oak tree in the parking lot of a Mennonite Church that has been there (several different buildings over the years) since early 1825.
Interesting that this button was there as Mennonites are pacifists....

 

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[E-Trac-Ohio]

Cool find !

 

[crashbandicoot]

View attachment 2018526View attachment 2018527
About 7" down by a huge old oak tree in the parking lot of a Mennonite Church that has been there (several different buildings over the years) since early 1825.
Interesting that this button was there as Mennonites are pacifists....

Might have been a visitor or a passerby who stopped for a bit,maybe to stand in the shade.

 

[myheromosby]

WOW, Congrats mate

 

[Digger RJ]

View attachment 2018526View attachment 2018527
About 7" down by a huge old oak tree in the parking lot of a Mennonite Church that has been there (several different buildings over the years) since early 1825.
Interesting that this button was there as Mennonites are pacifists....

Very Cool!!! Congrats!!!

 

[thekise]

Might have been a visitor or a passerby who stopped for a bit,maybe to stand in the shade.

Yes, I thought so as well - may have been a cadet fleeing the battle of Waynesboro about 6 miles away. The Confederates were routed there...

Thanks!!

 

[Red-Coat]

I think your backmark will read “R & W Robinson” rather than “R. W. Robinson”. My understanding is that, although often said to be “Civil war era”, buttons with this backmark predate the war by at least 13 years. There were various iterations of the Robinson company of Attleborough, Massachusetts with different names, but the company name expressed as “R & W Robinson” was the backmark in use between 1834-c1848. After that, the company was bought by D. Evans and the backmark changed accordingly. The VMI was founded in 1839, so that narrows it down a bit more. It’s possible (although unconfirmed) that old Robinson dies continued to be used by Evans for a while after 1848.

So. that dates the period in which the button was made, but when it was issued and worn may be a different matter. It's nevertheless a cool button with high collector desirability. Great find.

 

[oldmxrat]

Very cool button, congrats!

 

[Scrappy]

I don't have my books at work, but generally the VMI buttons from that era are rare.

 

[thekise]

I don't have my books at work, but generally the VMI buttons from that era are rare.

Nice to hear - and glad I found it.

If the book(s) have a value, would be nice to know; though I seldom sell any of my finds

 

[billb]

Very nice
Congratulations on your beautiful accomplishment

 

[CRUSADER]

Welcome to Tnet & firstly congrats on a rare buttons find. Looks good.
It might be because your new, but I find it a little odd that you haven't thanked Red-Coat or even liked his post detailing the facts of your find after you had asked the question in the title? Oversight?

 

[thekise]

Very cool button, congrats!

Thanks!! Nice to find a relic every once in a while!!

 

[thekise]

I think your backmark will read “R & W Robinson” rather than “R. W. Robinson”. My understanding is that, although often said to be “Civil war era”, buttons with this backmark predate the war by at least 13 years. There were various iterations of the Robinson company of Attleborough, Massachusetts with different names, but the company name expressed as “R & W Robinson” was the backmark in use between 1834-c1848. After that, the company was bought by D. Evans and the backmark changed accordingly. The VMI was founded in 1839, so that narrows it down a bit more. It’s possible (although unconfirmed) that old Robinson dies continued to be used by Evans for a while after 1848.

So. that dates the period in which the button was made, but when it was issued and worn may be a different matter. It's nevertheless a cool button with high collector desirability. Great find.

Many thanks for all the info - fascinating that so much is known about items like this and I appreciate your taking the time to share your expertise and data on this. Will make up a data card to keep with it!!! I hope to over time find more historical buttons!! Was exciting to find!!

 

[thekise]

Welcome to Tnet & firstly congrats on a rare buttons find. Looks good.
It might be because your new, but I find it a little odd that you haven't thanked Red-Coat or even liked his post detailing that facts of your find after you had asked the question in the title? Oversight?

Thanks for your concern.
Yes, I overlooked his post somehow - rectified it just now - and his info was just what I had hoped for!!
I am already amazed at the support here on TreasureNet!!

Thanks again!!

 

[Florida Finder]

View attachment 2018526View attachment 2018527
About 7" down by a huge old oak tree in the parking lot of a Mennonite Church that has been there (several different buildings over the years) since early 1825.
Interesting that this button was there as Mennonites are pacifists....

That’s a super nice button! Congratulations