Unknown Script button-SOLVED

[Don in SJ]

Earlier today I was discussing this button with Buckleboy and came up with a few suggestions what the letters might be, seem to have narrowed it down to TU, so I searched and found the button in one of my display cases and the backmark is .Wm. H. Wanamaker. .PHILA. So, I was thinking now, perhaps Temple University, that is if it is a TU, at first I thought perhaps it was related to something musical.

I tried finding old symbols of Temple and really came up empty, so open for suggestions on what the button represented.

Don

 

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[Mackaydon]

Re: Unknown Script button

The two center circles might represent "Co", as in Company.
The "U" could also be interpreted as a "W"

 

[PBK]

Re: Unknown Script button

It's a trolley operator/conductor uniform button of the Union Traction Company, Philadelphia, PA, c. 1895-1900.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Re: Unknown Script button

It's a trolley operator/conductor uniform button of the Union Traction Company, Philadelphia, PA, c. 1895-1900.

U.T.C. it is.


Well done, PBK.

 

[pjroo33]

Re: Unknown Script button

Wow.. Nice ID PBK

 

[Don in SJ]

Re: Unknown Script button

Gee PBK, somehow we knew you would find the answer. I tried to get info on William H Wanamaker and all I found is this photo of the store.
The bacmark of the button in this case shows the retailer who sold the button (attached to the uniform) and the button was more likely made by a button company like Horstmann.
I think the photo matches the time frame rather nicely.

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Unknown Script button

Great ID PBK:
The dress code of the Society of Professional Motormen and Conductors included neat buttons attached to company-issued uniform. The employees displayed the buttons with pride.

Source (along with a pic of this button!)
http://books.google.com/books?id=uC...&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result

 

[PBK]

Re: Unknown Script button

Love the photo of Wannamaker's store!

Glad I could help with the button. It's listed in Van Court's Transportation Uniform Buttons, Vol. II - Transit.

 

[Don in SJ]

Re: Unknown Script button

Great ID PBK:
The dress code of the Society of Professional Motormen and Conductors included neat buttons attached to company-issued uniform. The employees displayed the buttons with pride.

Source (along with a pic of this button!)
http://books.google.com/books?id=uC...&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result

Well Don, I have a second button that is one that website!

Don

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Unknown Script button

Outstanding buttons, Don, congrats !!

 

[Don in SJ]

Re: Unknown Script button

What is nice about making this post, I just realized I had a couple more in addtion to the two shown, that are transporation (rail) buttons, also have a choo choo button!
Don

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Re: Unknown Script button-SOLVED (by PBK of course)

I found the Phila Rapid Transit button a while back, not far from where the original line ran. I was able to ID it from the back, but it looked like it had been in a fire.