As promised,  here are some of the buttons from Buttonmania.  This lot covers 5 companies from the 1950-70’s.

Here’s a selection of Coronet branded buttons.

..and some Beauclaire.   Love the toggles!

Forced into the city,  I made a quick visit to Buttonmania.  Kate has the business up for sale!  She hopes to semi-retire,  and that someone who loves buttons as much as she does will take over.  I splashed out on every Australian button I could find that I didn’t already have.  You will see the results soon.  Thanks,  Kate.

Diving back into  past newspapers on Trove,  I found advertisements for Disney character buttons and also’ Jack and Jill’ buttons.  These  date the Disney buttons from 1948 to 1953.  The Jack and Jill were mentioned in a 1953 advert.

Examiner 16th Jan 1953

A pink Pluto. See also the Coronet page.

And speaking of Jack and Jill buttons,  the green duck is my latest find.  I suspect that Beutron bought  the design,  as their ducks,  minus the hand-painted details,  are a match (sorry these details don’t show so well on my new yellow example).

It’s fitting that on this Anzac day I have been able to find out about several more companies that manufactured uniform buttons for WW2,  and to purchase some examples.  I’ll share images when they arrive by post.

Today I may have solved one of my mysteries!  Up until today I didn’t know which manufacture was referred to in this article from 1934.

Previously WA police buttons were imported from England.
Published in The Daily News (Perth), 27th June 1934

It was most probably Sheridans Badges,  a family firm started in 1913 by  Victorian born Charles Sheridan in Perth that still continues today.  It had large contracts in both WW1 and WW2.  See http://museum.wa.gov.au/research/research-areas/history/sheridans-badges  for more on the history of this company.

From an Ebay sale: I doubt I’ll be able to afford these buttons. The bidding is keen!

Today I have some mint condition ‘Tecpearl’  buttons from Beutron to share with you.

From the Women’s Weekly, 15th October 1958;  you can see that these were supposed to be “shell-like” buttons in appearance but extremely washable,  unlike real shell.  Personally,  I don’t think they are like shell or pearl  , but lovely anyway.

This would be a lovely thing to own!

I have also received from Robyn (Buttonbroker) some fashion Beutrons  circa 1953.

Here are details from advertising that show the style.

It is easier,  although not always,  to tell the maker of a button if it is carded.  However,  the advertising in old magazines can help.  Here are some loose buttons that appear to be Beutrons from the 1950’s,  along with details from some adverts of the same from the Australian Women’s Weekly dated 1953-4.

I’m very pleased to have acquired a Stokes & Martin button.  The partnership between Thomas Stokes and G.F. Martin lasted from circa 1867 until 1893.  This button is from a New South Wales military uniform,  which dates the button from 1876 as that is when the emblem of  “a lion passant guardant  on a cross  between 4 stars of 8 points”  and a Queen’s (Victoria) crown was declared.

A NSW military uniform badge.

 So the era of this button is from about  1876 to 1893.  Of extra interest is the fact that the design is in error,  given that the stars have only 5 points each!  (c.f. the C.Anderson button below which has the correct 8 pointed stars).

NSW military brass uniform button dated 1881-1901.  Made by C.Anderson, Sydney

As always,  a good time was had by all last night at the collectors club.  I’ve added to my stock of Beutron,  Leda, and Maxart examples.

Beutron  1940’s-50’s

Leda  late 1960’s.

Maxart from mid 1960’s and ?70-80’s

Although I have not,  up to now,  featured glass buttons,  I think I have to make an exception for Grant Featherston.  In fact, his buttons will need a page of their own!

Enjoy the lastest additions to the collection.  Perhaps I’ll see some of you on Tuesday night at the Vic Button collectors meeting?

Leda-Beauclaire, late 50’s.  Embassy ?40-50’s.  Walkers ?1950’s

I have  received a card which answers the question of whether a card of  “Fashionable Buttons”  were made in Australia or not.  See below:

It looks like the top of the card with the blue buttons has been trimmed off.

No April Fools day tricks from me.  I always thought it was a bit mean,  anyway.  However,  I do have some new buttons to share with you.

Beauclaire buttons probably from the 1940-50’s.

Woolworths buckles and buttons probably from the late1960’s-70’s.  Love the “mod” style of the items on the red & blue cards.

Coles’ Embassy buttons. ?1970’s.

Sorry these are a little out of focus,  but I had to take the shot without the flash to show the ” fully guaranteed 24ct. gold plated buttons” (right)  colour properly.