Buttons

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This Georgia button (Albert GA4 - 24 mm) has what appears to be a "HORSTMANN & ALLIEN" back mark.  The button is intact, but no gilt remains and the face has been pushed.  This button was found by relic hunter Terry Waxham at Vicksburg in either the late 1970s or early 1980s.  It was acquired from Waxham in the early 1980s by a collector who has kept possession of it until I acquired it this year.  I will include a letter, signed by me, noting this provenance.

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Item Number -R240

Price - $95.00

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This eagle button (20 mm) with "EXTRA QUALITY" back mark appears to be a fairly early battlefield find.  The button was from the collection of the Lookout Mountain Museum which was located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  The Lookout Mountain War Relic Museum was one of the first museums in the country to display Civil War battlefield relics.  The collection was very large - a postcard from the 1930s shows the inside of the museum (I have included a photograph of this postcard, but the card is not included).  The museum finally closed in the 1950s or 60s and the collection was put into storage.  Bob Sands bought the entire collection and sold the various display cases in the late 1970s.  This button was in a display case purchased by a Civil War collector from Sands and has remained in this gentleman's private collection until 2011.  The button has been flattened a bit.  I will provide a letter, signed by me, with the provenance information.

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Item Number -R238

Price - $25.00

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This is a difficult to come by Confederate button but, unfortunately, the face is very worn.  It is a Virginia button (almost certainly VA8) with rare "BENEDICT BURNHAM" back mark.  The button is 22 mm, is two piece, and has a slight domed face and a flat back. Based upon others that I have seen, this was probably silver washed at one time.  Unfortunately, the silver wash is all gone and the face is heavily worn - in fact, it is hard to make out the image.  "TYR" from the motto is clear and you can see part of Virginia.  The back mark, on the other hand, is fairly clear.  I acquired this from a Maryland collector who purchased it several years back with the provenance that it was found at Antietam.  Clearly, condition hurts this piece, but it is still rare. If it was in good condition, it would be worth well over $1000.  I will include a letter, signed by me, noting this provenance.

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Item Number - A310

Price - $125.00

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This eagle "I" cuff button (15 mm) was acquired with a group of items I purchased a few years ago from a relic hunter who had access and permission to search the property immediately adjacent to the Dunker Church back in the late 1960s.  This was private property at the time, but has since been purchased by the National Park.  I have included a photograph of the side of the cigar box that held the relics when I purchased them - they looked like they had been untouched since they were found (the box is not included with the button). I do not see a back mark. The button is a little rough. Some of the rim is missing and there is a small hole and a push in the face.  The Dunker Church is, of course, the most famous landmark on the Antietam Battlefield at was at the center of the action on the morning of the battle.  I will include a letter, signed by me, noting this provenance.

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Item Number - A279

Price - $12.50

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From Case #29 of the Bill Gavin Collection - recovered from Bunker Hill, West Virginia.  4 flat or coin buttons with details as follows; a) diameter 34 mm - shank present; b) diameter 30 mm - no shank present c) diameter 20 mm - shank present - back mark "?   WARRANTED" d) diameter 20 mm - no shank present "TREBLE GILT" back mark.  A letter, signed by me, with provenance information and a copy of the photograph of the original display case will be provided to the buyer.  This item may be seen in case 52 at the Antique Center of Gettysburg.

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Item Number BG02909

Price - $16.00

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From Case #59 of the Bill Gavin Collection - recovered from the site of the Battle at the Po River during the engagement at Spotsylvania.  An eagle button (20 mm) with no backmark.  There is a slight push in the back which has resulted in a crack.  A letter, signed by me, with provenance information and a copy of the photograph of the original display case will be provided to the buyer.  This item may be seen in case 52 at the Antique Center of Gettysburg.

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Item Number BG05912

Price - $17.50

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From Case #59 of the Bill Gavin Collection - recovered from the site of the Battle at the Po River during the engagement at Spotsylvania.  An eagle cuff button (15 mm) - if a backmark exists, I can't make it out.  No damage.  A letter, signed by me, with provenance information and a copy of the photograph of the original display case will be provided to the buyer.  This item may be seen in case 52 at the Antique Center of Gettysburg.

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Item Number BG05913

Price - $12.50

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This zouave button (also called a ball button) is 15 mm in diameter.  This button was a part of a New York collection.  Accompanying this button and other relics was a note written by Chet Small of the Horse Soldier indicating that the relics had been recovered by Dean Thomas at Gettysburg.  Dean Thomas is a well-known relic hunter, author and Civil War bullet expert.  There is a push in the button and a small spot of rust near the shank. I will include a letter, signed by me, noting this provenance.  This item may be seen in case 63 at the Antique Center of Gettysburg.

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Item Number - G157

Price -$25.00

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