A
Anonymous
Guest
Hey Tony,
From what I understand these buttons (and there were several types of them) were all made for George Washington's inauguration and so weren't campaign buttons like that fine one you found.
Here is a quote from the website linked to below with a few details about these buttons ...
"These buttons were then considered in the same category as we today consider a fine pair of cuff-links or a tie pin, -- accessories for the well groomed gentlemen of that period and not considered as usual possessions requiring historical reference or picturization. They were not sewed on the great coats but were worn by inserting the shank through a button hole, and a tape knotted at both top and bottom, held them in place, Like our cuff-links they were removed, at the end of the day, and carefully preserved for the next wearing. They were expensive and not easily replaced if lost."
From what I understand these buttons (and there were several types of them) were all made for George Washington's inauguration and so weren't campaign buttons like that fine one you found.
Here is a quote from the website linked to below with a few details about these buttons ...
"These buttons were then considered in the same category as we today consider a fine pair of cuff-links or a tie pin, -- accessories for the well groomed gentlemen of that period and not considered as usual possessions requiring historical reference or picturization. They were not sewed on the great coats but were worn by inserting the shank through a button hole, and a tape knotted at both top and bottom, held them in place, Like our cuff-links they were removed, at the end of the day, and carefully preserved for the next wearing. They were expensive and not easily replaced if lost."