Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

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Jane Perala Designs Ltd.
Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
Posts: 819

Jane Perala Apr 3, 2006

I was at a flea market this weekend, and purchased an old biscuit tin filled with buttons and bits. I don't know anything about buttons (except that they close shirts, pants etc), and was wondering if anyone knows anything about these particular ones. They are about 1/2" - 3/4", made from some sort of off white coloured material, and have a shank on the back side. A lot of them come with a split pin of some sort. There are a couple of styles - one has the shank end showing right through to the front, and the other is a clean front. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Thanks,
Jane P.

Jane Perala Designs Ltd.
Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
Posts: 819

Jane Perala Apr 3, 2006

Finally got it!

Wisdom Bears
Ayrshire, Scotland.
Posts: 951

Wisdom Bears Apr 3, 2006

Hi Jane, it sounds very likely they will be Old style nurses buttons or chefs used them too. They were made to be removable so they could be laundered,that is why the split pin is used. Mind you I can tell you better if we could see the piccie ..hee hee... Hugs Rita xxx

Wisdom Bears
Ayrshire, Scotland.
Posts: 951

Wisdom Bears Apr 3, 2006

Hi Jane ,
Yep, thats them ,they are very old mind you, the uniforms had a small eyelet hole embroidered on them and thats where the buttons went and were then secured with the pin. After those came in rubber buttons. Well I speak from UK. Hugs Rita

Jane Perala Designs Ltd.
Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
Posts: 819

Jane Perala Apr 3, 2006

Thanks Rita,

I had a hard time getting the photo on. My new computer doesn't seem to save the photos where I want - However I imagine it is the operator and not the machine!

I thought they may be something like that - there are a lot of them in the tin, but not all have the pins. I think they are kind of interesting.

Jane P.

Wisdom Bears
Ayrshire, Scotland.
Posts: 951

Wisdom Bears Apr 3, 2006

They were used in this country in the 50s. Hugs Rita xx

Honeythorpe Bears
Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 1,789
Website

melissa Apr 3, 2006

Some of the old collar buttons were like this too - in the days when men's shirts had removable collars.

Wild Thyme Originals
Hudson, Ohio
Posts: 3,115

WildThyme Apr 3, 2006

I was gonna say 40's -50's nurse buttons too! I love big old cans of buttons and STUFF! How neat Jane!
I've bought a couple of coffee cans and mason jars filled with stuff like that from estate sales, auctions, etc..... They are just SO FUN to go through, aren't they!? Once, I did find a couple of solid gold teeth in one! Now that was kinda weird, and a bit icky.... but strangely fascinating at the same time! bear_smile