Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
Read the printed information on the back of the lapel pin. Look for a patent date or number, a company name and a metal composition mark. A patent date identifies the first use date of the lapel pin design, but does not give an accurate date for the specific button.
Research the patent by date or number. Use the United States Patent Office databases to search by patent date or number to determine the approximate date of use for the pin.
Look at the way the pin fastens. Buttons and pins with a sharp point often have a C fastener. If the pin has a safety clasp, that may be a Farnham patent design from 1937. The point with butterfly clutch or grip fastener is a common one for lapel pins, and these are newer than the screw style that has a round disk and threads on the point.
Check the metal content. Gold-filled jewelry was popular in the first half of the twentieth century, and this jewelry is often marked 1/10 12kGF. The precious metals of silver and gold were usually special purchase items after about 1960, while base metal buttons were given away. This was true for church attendance pins and military buttons or badges.
Look at coated metal and non-metal buttons and pins. Common products for lapel pins in recent years are plastics and newer metal pins have polyurethane or acrylic coating. Cloisonne pins with bubble coating of an acrylic product are from the last half of the twentieth century. Pins marked "China" are from the last twenty years.
Examine the writing on the front. Determine the purpose of the pin and check information about the organization issuing it. Research the group. Many of these organizations changed names or went out of business, and locating the dates of operation may provide the date of issue of the button.
Look at the quality. Older pins are usually thicker, smoother, and have more intricate details with deep pressing on the front. Buttons and pins cut from a flat metal sheet are recent, and rough edges are flat on the sides. Handle lapel buttons and pins in collectibles malls and at shows to learn the feel and quality of the older pieces.
Learn a little about design eras in American history. Art nouveau was scrolls with a flourish at the turn of the twentieth century. Art deco started about 1925 and was plain geometrics. Mid-century modern began in the 1950s and psychedelic was the 1970s. It won&'t be long before you can date these fun jewelry lapel buttons and pins.