What is it?

[Mainedigger]

Found this at my new favorite farm site...it is 1 1/2 inches round and appears to be plastic or vinyl, is very thin and flexible whatever it is. The area is was dug dates back to the 1700's. Back of it is in hard shape so can't really tell much from the back other than that it was filled with a cushion like material which padded the front of whatever this is....Any ideas?? Thanks.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[junkdigger]

I think the white part of your find might be made of celluloid.Celluloid was first used in 1856 and was sometimes used to imitate ivory.Found that info on Wikipedia.That is a really neat find!

 

[Mainedigger]

Junkdigger...thanks for that, celluloid sounds about right, for it does look like ivory imitation and it cracked in spots. The outer rim is made of brass I believe, now the big question...what is it?

 

[hollowpointred]

I think the white part of your find might be made of celluloid.Celluloid was first used in 1856 and was sometimes used to imitate ivory.Found that info on Wikipedia.That is a really neat find!

ahhh the mystery is solved! good call junkdigger!

 

[PBK]

Nice button, Mainedigger! It's listed in Hughes & Lester's Big Book of Buttons as "Girl on a Swing" (another source lists it as "Lady in the Love Swing in the Rose Bower"). As Junkdigger notes, it is indeed stamped celluloid— sometimes called "ivoroid"— and is very collectable. I'm not sure about the value of yours, but a non-dug one with the steel back and wire shank intact would retail for $35-50.

 

[Michelle]

Dang it, cant leave the room for 1 minute PBK....Good Job!

 

[Mainedigger]

PBK...thanks for that, your knowledge never ceases to amaze me... now come up for an answer for that copper shamrock/clover thing I have posted... That one has me totally baffled. Thanks again.

 

[lordmarcovan]

Very attractive. Has a Gay Nineties look to it. (1890s, that is- "Gay Nineties" might've had a slightly different connotation in the 1990s, haha)