✅ SOLVED OLD BUTTON?

[relish]

This button turned up @ a beach here in NYC.....it reads F EMANUEL ....NY.....I've had no luck in tracking the origin.

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

That particular form of stamped-sheetbrass 2-hole button on which the central bar has wider ends than the bar's center can date anytime from the 1850s to the early-1900s. Like you, I could not find any information about the maker's-mark "F. Emanuel NY."

 

[fyrffytr1]

It is possible that "F Emanuel NY" was not the maker but perhaps a merchant/clothier of the day who had the buttons made for him.

 

[relish]

Thanks for the info.....the only reason I thought it was old was the center bar which you described and the 2 stars and their location.....funny....it just felt old holding it in my hand.

 

[CC Hunter]

relish,

Your button find is likely from the following business listed in New York City, 1860:

Emanuel, Frederick
Tailor
113 Cedar

Source: Trow's New York City Directory 1861, compiled by H. Wilson, 1860

As fyrffytr1 mentioned, marked clothing buttons such as this were generally contracted out for manufacturing to an outside source, to display an advertising name of the merchant retailer or clothing manufacturer. In the New York Directory as listed, there are only a few shown with the surname Emanuel (last name). The given name Emanuel (first name) is much more common. The name is of Jewish descent. During the 19th Century, Jewish merchants and businessmen played a very prominent role in the clothing markets of America, as well as Europe.


In addition to Frederick Emanuel, the directory page below also lists several additional Emanual named businesses as well, in Trow's New York Directory:


CC Hunter

 

[relish]

Thanks CC.....looks liked you nailed it on the head!!!!!!