A String with Coins and Keys

Buffum collection, inventory #35

String of approximately 350 buttons. The string was purchased from Mead, Washington on July 10, 2007. According to the seller it was purchased originally from an elderly woman at a tag sale with other sewing items. The elderly woman told her the string had belonged to her sister who had passed away in California. She did not know who had strung the buttons.  The buttons are strung on cotton string which seems in good condition at this time.  There is a large pressed horn Touch button.  Buttons on this string consist of Victorian grass with glass insets, black glass, waistcoats and small jewel buttons, charmstring glass in assorted colors and patterns, radiants, chinas, a shoe button,  glass with applied glass, medium drum button, mother or pearl, abalone, large clear glass with pin shank, about eight assorted small to medium Goodyear hard rubber buttons (N.R. CO backmarks), a white glass horse head mounted in brass, veil button, inlay button, clam broth glass sew thru, 6 assorted kaleidoscopes (two with molded tops, 4 plain dome), white glass with transfer chek pattern, 2 medium black glass with goldstone, 2 real seashell buttons, 2 Cicil War era “I” infantry coat buttons (one has no backmark the other is Extra Quality), a mother/daughter black glass with gold luster butterfly set, vegetable ivory with loop shank, unusual medium brass button with tinted gristmill scene, Medium black glass ’Omega” symbol button, gorgeous medium to large gold reflector button with textured background and crystal clear star inside, faceted clear glass ball buttons, medium brass target button, swirlbacks in black glass and white glass, shell in metal (R. L. & F Paris bm) extra large brass Classical ladies head, brass with fabric and white glass inset waistcoat, red glass berry top set in brass, small square black glass Greek key, black glass drum, stamped brass, riveted steel, purple swirl glass pudding mold charmstring, horn, diminutive paperweight with rose center, small brass standing lion over bar, coronets, pinshank glass. Also on this string are a very large heavy silver love token/coin, an 1838 seated Liberty half dime, and a British Victoria Regina coin/token dated 1849 on the Victoria side, and depicting Hanover on horseback on the reverse with the words To Hanover 1837 on the reverse side. There is a small brass watch key (?) on the string as well.