Ball Button Unsolved/ now solved!

[fyrffytr1]

I found this button yesterday along with the 1875 dime and a bullet. I think the bullet is a C.D. Leet like the one I found earlier.
I actually eyeballed the button. It is not metal. Even the shank would not register on my DFX.
My buddy also eyeballed a button but it was a flat one with "N R" and Goodyear pat 1851 on the back. I am pretty sure it is a National Rubber Co. It's a hard rubber one.

 

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[traderoftreasures]

Re: Ball Button

it's a goodyear ball and saucer 1851? http://www.vintagebuttons.net/rubber2.html

 

[BuckleBoy]

Re: Ball Button

There is an article in North/South Trader (one of the early 2008 issues, I think) about gutta percha and early rubber buttons and CW-era items. Most of them are marked "Goodyear 1851" or something similar (a patent date--not a date of manufacture).

Any early non-metallic button is a good find, IMO. We don't see many of them posted here.


Cheers,


Buck

 

[IronSpike]

Re: Ball Button

Nice ID traderoftreasure and neat button fyrffytr1

According to traderoftreasure's link having the pattern reference on the button dates it 1851 + 10-15 years (length of pattern)

Green check

Another pic from same link:

 

[fyrffytr1]

Re: Ball Button

So, I am missing the saucer to my button? I would think that the button would have been molded as one piece? I will get a good picture of my buddie's and post it here in the next few days.

 

[IronSpike]

Re: Ball Button

So, I am missing the saucer to my button? I would think that the button would have been molded as one piece? I will get a good picture of my buddie's and post it here in the next few days.

Yes the saucer is missing. It's a two piece construction button:

http://www.beadandbutton.com/en/sit...Articles/2009/07/Goodyear rubber buttons.aspx

These two buttons are unusual. On the left, the shank of the center ball piece is inserted through the saucer shape. The other is also a contour shape, red-brown in color. Tan and red-brown colors, results of a manufacturing process rather than a dyeing procedure, are not plentiful.

 

[steelheadwill]

Re: Ball Button

Nice Rare Find ! Congrats!

 

[fyrffytr1]

Re: Ball Button

Well, I reckon I'll have to go back and eyeball the saucer!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Ball Button

Good link. I cant find Nelson Goodyears original May 6, 1851 patent, for some reason, but found mention of it here. http://www.google.com/patents?id=c9...ad=1#v=onepage&q=goodyear patent 1851&f=false

 

[fyrffytr1]

Re: Ball Button

I unsolved this button after talking to the woman who wrote the Warman's field guide to buttons. It may be hard rubber or it may be bakelite.
I sent pictures to her as well as another gentleman closer to me. I will update when I find something out.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Ball Button

]
I unsolved this button after talking to the woman who wrote the Warman's field guide to buttons. It may be hard rubber or it may be bakelite.
I sent pictures to her as well as another gentleman closer to me. I will update when I find something out.

Bakelite was invented in 1907.

http://www.mbzponton.org/valueadded/maintenance/bakelitehist.htm


Short history of different major Bakelite products invented before 1930
1912 - A Bakelite record invented by Thomas Edison. (USA)
1912 - Bakelite billiard balls invented by Hyat Burroughs. (UK)
1914 - The telephone receiver made in Bakelite by Western Electric. (USA)
1915 - Eastman Kodak camera gets a Bakelite case. (USA)
1923 - Philips radio company starts with its own Bakelite production, called Philite. (Netherlands)
1926 - First Bakelite chair.
1927 - First Philite radio speaker made by Philips. (Netherlands) (2).

 

[fyrffytr1]

Re: Ball Button Unsolved

I am just going by what my source said. I e-mailed her a picture and she said it is definitely not bakelite but it could be composition. She forwarded the pictures to someone else but I haven't heard back from them or the other guy I sent pictures to.
If it is hard rubber it is a rare one. I am going back to the site and see if I can find the saucer to it using my sifting box.

 

[Brian(upstateNY-Central Fla.)]

Re: Ball Button Unsolved

Thats a cool find I have a few of the larger ones

 

[fyrffytr1]

I just got off the phone with a very knowledgeable gentleman who had me try a few tests on this button. First I tried scratching it with a knife tip near the shank. Then I tried a hot needle, also near the shank. Both tests produced no results leading us to the conclusion that this is black glass.
When held in the right light I can see a seam running around the side of the button. according to Paul, this would make it an early 1880s style. Now, You know the rest of the story.
So I am finally marking this one solved. Thanks for all the input.