I’m including these buttons because its my blog and I can! However, it is likely most of them were manufactured in Europe. An exception to this may be the “Jack and Jill” koalas that were “produced soley by Rex C Norris”. I’m not a collector of modern souvenir buttons (either Asian made or by local artists) but I do love vintage buttons depicting kangaroos, koalas, kookaburras and the like.
Below are some examples of animal shapes punched from sheets of casein. These style of novelty buttons were popular from the late 1930’s, but are probably all imported. Adverts from around 1939 (like the one shown) depict a koala button amongst other European-made animal buttons.
Helen’s koala.
From an old Button Club magazine.
Guinness kangaroo.
Kookaburras sit on the old gum tree….
Robyn’s koalas.
More “Jack and Jill” koalas.
Deborah’s penguins.
Government House uniform button by Stokes.
Ashtray by Perfection Plate.
The buttons below are all in Carol’s collection.
This hand carved pearl-shell example I found on Pinterest from ButtonMuseum.com
Oh, no!! This toothpick holder just looks like a terrible example of animal cruelty!!!
Many needle books were made in Japan or Germany.
