CLICK  HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS AND MORE OF SAME:  Vintage Picture Button Lillian Russel Statue of Liberty  (ALL 6 ARE AT AUCTION TILL 1/25/15 - CLICK TO BID)

THE FIRST TIME I FELL IN LOVE WITH VICTORIAN PICTURE BUTTONS

I practically tossed my credit card at the proprieter and said, "Look mister, my husband is waiting in the car in this heat.   He will walk in any minute and I won't be able to explain this $500 purchase for a bunch of old buttons!  Please hurry!"   Quietly I slinked into the car seat with my small box of treasures, when my husband with a weak wink said, "you left me again without a bowl of water....."

We had been on our way back from Wolfboro, NH, this long before the start of my reclusive life, when we stopped at an antique store.  There my love of Victorian picture buttons began.  Two and half hour drive back in near silence, never repeated by this verbose lady, marveling at the detail.  Even though learning to sew my doll clothes before entering first grade, I had never seen such wonders.  Who made these detailed buttons and why?

This was pre widely used internet era and pre online auction sites.   Libraries had nothing and antique stores locally could not help.  Months went by, still nothing. Finally on the day we were due to fly to the Bahamas, I heard that some button convention was being held in New Hampshire.  I kissed my patient husband and said, "darlin', I'll be back before the plane leaves, I promise".  Off I went with my cards to find out what I could.  

Imagine my shock to find 1000s and 1000s of antique buttons being judged on cards.  Vendors selling antique buttons for $1000 each or more!  What?  Where was I?  Looking at my watch frequently, I begged someone to tell me more. Enter The National Button Society and the BBB, every button collector's bible.  I collected, collected and collected some more.   Oh, I forgot, yes I got back in time to make the plane.  All the while on vacation, wishing I already had my BBB to study while roasting on the beach without my bowl of water...

Update: The antique button titled: Last Supper above -which seems to be handpainted - is listed as part of item(s) #1005268 - where you will find 6 assorted buttons titled as:" Madonna & Child"; "Evangeline"; "Statue of Liberty"; "Lillian Russell"; "Last Supper" and "Victorian Ruffle Hand".

PS:  Hopefully, in the coming months, several hundred pieces that have never seen the internet light of day as they were boxed for decades, will be made available and shared with new and seasoned collectors. 

All images and the original text are solely owned by Mimi Dee and may not be reproduced in any form. December 18, 2013.

ALL 6 BUTTONS ARE UP FOR AUCTION TILL 1/25/15 - CLICK, BID AND MAKE THESE YOURS TODAY!