Button ID/ Age Help Please, nice pics : )

[TreasurdiggrNY]

Here are the pics of a button I found at an old site. 3 pics, any help with the age or ID would be appreciated.
Glenn

 

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[DaChief]

I believe it should say "Superior Quality". The marks at the top are stars and there is most likely a Spread Winged Eagle above the stars.

 

[Montana Jim]

I believe it should say "Superior Quality". The marks at the top are stars and there is most likely a Spread Winged Eagle above the stars.

Or - "Best Quality" Given the available space for symmetry...

 

[DaChief]

I believe you are right Jim. "Best" would fit that space much better.

 

[TreasurdiggrNY]

Thanks guys, any way to determine how old it is? Looking at it again I don't think it ever had anything but color on the front.
Glenn

 

[TreasurdiggrNY]

I took another look at it after you guys mentioned a few things and here is what little else I found.

It says BEST QUALITY on the bottom of the button and where the stars/ asterisks are I see there are 5 of these and the shape they form is that of the mouth like on a smiley face.

Don't know if the new info can help ID it better or date it, just curious.

Glenn

 

[Montana Jim]

It's not a "back mark" - but a "quality mark". I'd date it early 1800s.

The quality marks are generally unattributable to any certain maker, but are in some cases. Someone with a button book might have that information available to them. Many have the eagles and some stars as well -like yours.

Quality Mark's : "A term used for certain words found on the backs of buttons made after 1800. It is believed the purpose of the words was mainly to promote sales, as the differences in quality can seldom be noted. Most of the marks appeared between 1800 and 1850. Examples are "Rich Gold", "Gilt", and "Rich
Orange" (Luscomb 1967:163).

I know it's not much help - but thats as close as I can get.