NF Alberts button book help

[Gillam&Miller]

So after waiting for two years to finally find one at a decent price, I finally acquired a copy of alberts button book. I have 25 or more buttons I'm trying to do research on and so far this book has been unhelpful. I can find the button im searching for but the back mark on mine is either not listed or the description is so vague I can't determine if it's the correct one or not. It also dosent give me any dates. I have another book that lists back marks and their dates of usage which has been way more helpful than Alberts and it was only $15. So I guess I'm asking can anyone help me cypher alberts book or was all the hype over it for nothing ?

 

[Dbackfed29]

Maybe Tice's book can help? What is the button and back mark?

 

[UCVRelics]

So after waiting for two years to finally find one at a decent price, I finally acquired a copy of alberts button book. I have 25 or more buttons I'm trying to do research on and so far this book has been unhelpful. I can find the button im searching for but the back mark on mine is either not listed or the description is so vague I can't determine if it's the correct one or not. It also dosent give me any dates. I have another book that lists back marks and their dates of usage which has been way more helpful than Alberts and it was only $15. So I guess I'm asking can anyone help me cypher alberts book or was all the hype over it for nothing ?

One thing you have to realize is that when Albert published it in 1977 we were digging buttons that we had no clue as to what the face of the buttons was. His book is a button ID and not a button dating book per say. Chances are on the military button side is if its not listed its either rare or way post war. Tice followed on using a lot of Albert's works and included some dating. Albert's is more of a button ID book and Tice a button dating book. There are so many back-marks especially with the major button makers it can make your head spin but then that's the fun of button collecting.

 

[Salterr]

So after waiting for two years to finally find one at a decent price, I finally acquired a copy of alberts button book. I have 25 or more buttons I'm trying to do research on and so far this book has been unhelpful. I can find the button im searching for but the back mark on mine is either not listed or the description is so vague I can't determine if it's the correct one or not. It also dosent give me any dates. I have another book that lists back marks and their dates of usage which has been way more helpful than Alberts and it was only $15. So I guess I'm asking can anyone help me cypher alberts book or was all the hype over it for nothing ?

I know what you mean but if you have the button makers/backmarks and years book you can cross reference the makers years of operations at certain locations to narrow down the back mark. Button dating is kinda more like ranges than this is precisely 1862 unless of course the company was only in business in war years which does happen. I don't know what buttons you have but the construction also dates them. 1,2 or 3 piece buttons all have particular periods they were made and look for the RMDC or DM which narrows it too. Look at the shape also are they flat, convex, domed, high dome, narrow or wide ring? Many post war state buttons have the states name on them. You can also check when that state started using that seal too as some have been modified throughout the centuries. Post a picture for us please with the front and back of the button and the part of the book it's in we might be able to decipher it for you

 

[JOHN42768]

There is also "Dating Buttons" by Warren Tice. A scarce very expensive book. You need to be a serious collector to seek this book

 

[Salterr]

There is also "Dating Buttons" by Warren Tice. A scarce very expensive book. You need to be a serious collector to seek this book

$350 and up whenever I see it.

 

[Library Lady]

I checked the usual places, and this is the only copy of Dating Buttons I could find. If you weren't a saint, Santa won't be bringing it to you.

Dating Buttons by Warren K. Tice. 1st & only printing, 2003. He self published. | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Dating Buttons by Warren K. Tice. 1st & only printing, 2003. He self published. at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Salterr]

I checked the usual places, and this is the only copy of Dating Buttons I could find. If you weren't a saint, Santa won't be bringing it to you.

Dating Buttons by Warren K. Tice. 1st & only printing, 2003. He self published. | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Dating Buttons by Warren K. Tice. 1st & only printing, 2003. He self published. at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Lol $600, I'm not sure a sainthood could get that book. Anyone want to try and let us know if it works?

 

[JOHN42768]

$600.00 on Ebay, but it is signed. That is very expensive paper. Merry Christmas to All

 

[Old Man]

Many reference books were published in limited numbers and are long out of print. If you are a serious button collector or just starting out then you need to invest in the best reference books. If you are patient and do some networking then a copy of Dating Buttons can be found at a reasonable price. Many of the older collectors are selling their collections (this includes reference libraries) or have passed away and their collections sold off. There are some amazing Civil War items currently for sale.

Collectors must have patience.

 

[Salterr]

Many reference books were published in limited numbers and are long out of print. If you are a serious button collector or just starting out then you need to invest in the best reference books. If you are patient and do some networking then a copy of Dating Buttons can be found at a reasonable price. Many of the older collectors are selling their collections (this includes reference libraries) or have passed away and their collections sold off. There are some amazing Civil War items currently for sale.

Collectors must have patience.

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Agreed, before any relic gets bought the best thing you can buy is the reference book. I still kick myself over not wanting to spend $40 on books that are now $200+ always lessons to learn.

 

[Library Lady]

This is why Friends of the Library and AAUW book sales can be such fun. They often don't realize what they have when it comes to specialized books like this. Many of the volunteers involved are Medicare-aged folks who don't have the time based on the volume of donations or an interest in researching donations and selling them for a higher price on line. Even the ISBN scanners the folks who do sell on the Internet use aren't 100% reliable in determining what is and what isn't a "valuable" book.