According to experts, buttons made before the year 1918 can be calledvintage while those made later, belong to the modern times. Button collecting began around 1860 with the fabrication of "charm strings" by young American women who were looking for a suitor. The women would string together 999 different buttons, and according to tradition, the girl's suitor would come forth with the last button and claim his bride.
While Europe furnished most of the buttons until almost the 19th century, but there is evidence that a few were made in the United States in the early 18th century.Mrs. Gertrude Pattersonwas the first full-fledged button collector and during the Depression she spoke about her collection and was able to influenceher listeners to explore this inexpensive hobby.Today there are thousands of people hunting for buttons and dealers who handle nothingbut buttons.
Although buttons date back to the ancient world, Most surviving buttons are from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.In the 18th century it was common to make very large buttons, at least 1.25 inches in diameter. These were made of precious metals, ivory, porcelain, steel, or precious and semiprecious stones. Some
The most common types of buttons found from the 19th century are gilt buttons. These are made of brass with a thin coating of gold and are often referred to as Golden Age buttons. The latter part of the 19th century brought metal buttons that were stamped with pictures, and the more common small buttons made of glass or shells.
Condition is important and buttons were often deteriorate if not kept in the proper environment. New collectors often purchase buttons in a tin or jar. Once received, these buttons should be taken out of the container, sorted, and then mounted on cards.