How do you identify livery buttons?
Livery buttons are usually back stamped, some with the name of the manufacturer, others with the name of the tailor. Major manufacturers kept a large stock of dies and sample books.
What are Civil War buttons made of?
Metal was a very common material for buttons during the Civil War. These buttons were not tarnish-proof and contact with finger oils, air, and the elements guaranteed these buttons did not stay shiny for very long. Both military and civilian clothing sported these tarnishing metal buttons.
Who wore livery buttons?
menservants
liverybuttons. The word livery comes from the French livree meaning to liberate or bestow. It was used to describe giving to retainers, who provided domestic service to the nobles and aristocrats. It came to mean the suit of clothes worn by menservants in the colors of the master who provides it and for whom they work.
Did Waterbury make Confederate buttons?
During the Civil War, Waterbury Button Company made uniform buttons for both the Union and the Confederate forces The Union buttons were sold and delivered directly. The Confederate buttons were sold to British intermediaries and delivered by blockade runners.
How do I know if my old buttons are valuable?
Here are some tricks to determine whether a button is very old:
- It shows signs of being handmade, such as a lack of uniformity.
- The button displays an antique style, such as Art Nouveau or Art Deco.
- The back of the button is not a uniform texture.
- There are no mold lines to indicate machine manufacturing.
What were livery buttons for?
It was used to describe giving to retainers, who provided domestic service to the nobles and aristocrats. It came to mean the suit of clothes worn by menservants in the colors of the master who provides it and for whom they work. So from the stable boy through the page boys, each would wear his master’s livery.
What’s a livery button?
For clarification here is a definition of a livery button, “Those buttons worn by service staff, usually a footman or coachman (although occasionally a valet or butler) in the service of an aristocratic household.
What US president was also a civil war general?
Grant, original name Hiram Ulysses Grant, (born April 27, 1822, Point Pleasant, Ohio, U.S.—died July 23, 1885, Mount McGregor, New York), U.S. general, commander of the Union armies during the late years (1864–65) of the American Civil War, and 18th president of the United States (1869–77).
What is a backmark on a button?
The backmarks consist of the company’s name (or initials) alone, or the name and address together. They also occasionally include a pictorial trademark, such as the Prince of Wales plume found on Jennens’ buttons from 1860.
What is the backmark on a Jennens button?
They also occasionally include a pictorial trademark, such as the Prince of Wales plume found on Jennens’ buttons from 1860. In the list, the backmark is always the combination of the ‘Name’ and ‘Address’ fields.
Why is the list of backmarks in blue?
For this reason, those backmarks that have actually been seen by the writer – either by viewing the buttons directly, or photographs of them – are shown in an emboldened blue font. It is the intention that the list will be periodically updated, as more of the backmarks are confirmed.
Where can I find old backmark buttons in London?
Cheapside, London. 1851-early 1900’s. Williams, 1. or mo (John) St. Martin’s Lane. London. 179 1-1800. Williams, Wm Backmark found on top quality, late 18th and early 19th century livery and uniform buttons.