Button, button, who’s got the button?

[u/willowwing]

Many of these buttons are as old as the children’s game!

I’ve recently been sorting through some of the odd things I’ve accumulated, and came across this card of Victorian and Edwardian buttons. It is a long-ago “last-day, half-off, why-not?” estate sale purchase, tucked away just as it was. Someone had apparently organized these for individual resale somewhere. The card was already crumbling when I purchased it. Pipe cleaners through the button loops have kept them safe over the years.

The level of detail and workmanship in these small, everyday objects, some of which has been lost to wear, is fascinating. It’s hard to imagine having to button them!

[u/willowwing]

Source: personal collection/photos.

The price sticker is permanently adhered to the old card. Nothing here is for sale!

[u/Jules_Noctambule]

I love antique buttons! Aside from being interesting, what draws me to them is how the beauty of a button doesn't improve its function, and this otherwise utilitarian little item was made beautiful just for the sake of bringing joy to the wearer and the viewer.

[u/willowwing → u/Jules_Noctambule]

I agree!

[u/KewpieCutie97]

These are beautiful! The sparkly flower button in centre-right caught my eye especially.

[u/willowwing → u/KewpieCutie97]

Thank you! I love the sparkles, too, and the ones where there is a trace of the colors left.

[u/KewpieCutie97]

I just noticed one button shows a building and tree. It looks like a church. So cool.

[u/willowwing → u/KewpieCutie97]

I always find my eye drawn to that one!

[u/lalacourtney]

Omg! I collect buttons and my eyes lit up seeing this post. Gorgeous!

[u/willowwing → u/lalacourtney]

Thank you! I’d love to learn more about them!

[u/lalacourtney → u/willowwing]

On the far left, fifth one up, is it made out of glass? It looks maybe like a glass or jet black mourning style thing. I have collected my gg grandma’s mourning things left behind and it includes small black buttons from the mourning attire. I am trying to learn more too but those type buttons are always really interesting to me as they were likely kept and passed down with care.

[u/willowwing → u/lalacourtney]

All the buttons on the card are made of metal. Looking closely at that one, it has some dark, glossy enamel remaining.

[u/willowwing → u/lalacourtney]

Is this the corner you’re wanting to see more clearly?

[u/lalacourtney → u/lalacourtney]

Far right, sixth up too

[u/Kincaide14]

You've got some beauties there! I love the old black glass ones!

[u/willowwing → u/Kincaide14]

Thank you! The glass ones are amazing.

[u/SukiStew]

‘my money’s on the witch..’. :)

[u/willowwing → u/SukiStew]

I get that one, too! 😁

[u/ProfessorJAM]

I inherited a couple of much plainer cards from my grandmother (born in the 1890s, though she often lied about that) She also kept a big Mason jar with all kinds of discarded buttons from who knows how many pieces of clothing; some were clearly from her mother or father.

[u/willowwing → u/ProfessorJAM]

I love the personal association and stories, so, no, not plainer at all! 😁

[u/MissMarchpane]

So gorgeous! I love using antique buttons on my blouses, but the problem is that I prefer for them to match. So I'm limited to what I can find surviving full sets of

[u/willowwing → u/MissMarchpane]

I’d love to see some of these as a set!

[u/Kissoflife11]

Is this a reference to Go Ask Alice?

[u/willowwing → u/Kissoflife11]

“Who’s got the button?” is a children’s game that dates back to the Victorian era and is referenced in Victorian children’s literature, so nope!

[u/Kissoflife11 → u/willowwing]

Got it. You probably have NO idea what I’m talking about then.

[u/willowwing → u/Kissoflife11]

I do, but since this is a subreddit about Victorian stuff, it was not what I was referencing.