Help from our Brit friends?

[Dug]

Hi; I dug a brass underwear button today and it has " J Hoare Co. 16 Germyn St " When I web search the name I get a reference to a glass maker in Corning. When I web search the address I see a Germyn St in London. Anyone over there across the pond have the ability to search the history of that address?

I'm just curious about the background of this button. Your help would be much appreciated.

 

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[Bramblefind]

Nice button! Try searching for Hoare at "16 Jermyn" and you will get more info.

Here is an article from 1889-

https://books.google.com/books?id=G...IKDAD#v=onepage&q="16 jermyn" "hoare"&f=false

 

[Dug]

That is so cool, thanks for digging that up!

 

[Roger Mn.]

New-York Historical Society | Top coat w/velvet collar, immitation buttunier

You do need Glasses dug.

It's a Top Coat button or Immitation Buttunier.

 

[Mackaydon]

Today, at that address is the 'Jermyn Street Theatre'.
Don....

 

[Dug]

New-York Historical Society | Top coat w/velvet collar, immitation buttunier

You do need Glasses dug.

QUOTE] You must be right as I don't see a button in your reference, only a reference to the name on the button I dug. They do describe black horn buttons on the topcoat in your reference but I don't think the button I dug is a black horn; just a brass button. Thanks for digging it up though, interesting read.

By Bramblefind's post I know that Hoare had been in business since at least 1889 if not earlier. He never got involved with uniform buttons as I find no reference of him in McGuinn & Bazelon.

I am likely using the wrong description for the type of button I dug but that was what all the other diggers I hung around with called that style of button when they dug them. I am willing to be educated if someone wants to advise what the proper classification of that style button is.

 

[Mackaydon]

Back in 1862 it was occupied by the firm of Jenner and Knewstub.
They made bags, dressing cases, tourist cases, luncheon basket, etc.
Source: https://books.google.com/books?id=y...#v=onepage&q="16 Jermyn Street" London&f=true
Don.......

 

[Dug]

Spoke with one of my digging partners who was out on the dig with me yesterday and he dug one of these too. He said the back mark was different then the face. What I had mistakenly thought was a carry over impression from the face is actually " J. Firmin & Sons London" who according to McGuinn & Bazelon also made uniform buttons and began in 1823. Obviously the production would date from the time that Hoare contracted the buttons. As J. Firmin is still active I have sent them an inquiry about this button.

Rodgerdodger, guess I need to get my prescription checked.

 

[tamrock]

Huh, They sure don't make buttons with such detail like they used to. That made me think, what are the most expensive buttons ever found?. Here's one recent list.
Most Expensive Buttons Sold on eBay May 2014