Washington Buttons
(1789) George Washington Inaugural Button Eagle and Star Major Type Cobb-17, Albert WI-12F with its Original Shank
(1789) Federal Period, George Washington Inaugural Button, "Eagle and Star" Major Design Type, Cobb-17, Albert WI-12F, DeWitt-Unlisted, Baker-Unlisted, Brass, with Original Shank, Choice About Uncirculated.
17.7 mm. An exceedingly rare, exceptional quality Smaller "Cuff" or "Breeches" Size button, worn as part of ceremonial dress. Its Original Shank is Perfectly Straight and Fully Intact. Superb golden-brass with semi-reflective glossy surfaces, having traces of luster in the recesses and one of the finest existent, as shown. Sharply impressed designs with crisp distinct details and exceptional in overall eye appeal.
The face surface is superb, and this was clearly never worn stored shortly after it was issued. It was also reported that collector B.G. Johnson had discovered a dozen from being attached to an original pair of breeches, as first published in 1961. This example, being so superb in appearance is certainly likely to have possibly come from that set, which was broken up. Collector Harold Cobb did not own an example of this button!
As of 1968, Cobb had confirmed the location of only one example, presumably the button plated by Albert in his reference work, and this button is not the same as Albert illustrated. In any event, a stunningly beautiful "Eagle and Star" button that would prove a key highlight to any Presidential, Political or Historical American Button collection.