Secrets of Collecting Vintage Buttons

Do you remember the ornate buttons that used to adorn the front of your grandmother's, or great grandmother's frock?

You know the ones that were sometimes big and bold and other times small and dainty; the ones that were so decorative that the need for jewelry was rare. These buttons were made from glass, pearls, wood, bone and more. Or are you of this new age where buttons have changed into non-descript lumps of plastic, or they don't exist at all, as they have been replaced by snaps, zips, hooks, and velcro?

Those vintage buttons had character and charm, a sort of elegance that brings about a feeling of nostalgia in those who do remember them. Maybe you have become a collector of these types of button, and that is not so strange.

Collecting vintage buttons is a passion that many collectors have, especially those that like colorful baubles. It isn't unusual for button collectors to also collect antique jewelry for the same reason. If you started collecting buttons as a child, by stuffing them in a jar, the passion has probably led to a hobby that you might now consider a collection.

There are a few helpful pieces of advice to consider, when you are collecting buttons.

Types of Vintage Buttons:

The most plentiful buttons are made from glass, crystal and celluloid, available in a wide variety of designs and colors. You can find brass, gold and mother of pearl buttons that date from the Victorian era to the 1960′s. It is possible that buttons will be made of unusual materials, including antler, bone, shells, ivory, and wood.

Throughout the history of buttons, their purposes have changed, as they went from being ornaments in ancient China to part of the snug-fitting clothing of the 13th century. These origins mean you are likely to find them made from a variety of materials, in a variety of designs because of their ornate history.

Organize!

When you start collecting vintage buttons, one of the most important things to consider is the organization of your button collection. Once they are all mixed together, the task of finding a certain button might seem daunting. This can be important, the larger your collection gets and it is easier to get multi-compartment storage cabinets from the very beginning.

This makes it much easier to group similar buttons and those that are identical, especially when you are collecting complete sets of vintage buttons. There are some celebrity dressmakers that will pay handsomely for a matched set of buttons, when it comes to custom designs.

Finding Vintage and Antique Buttons:

Once you start searching for vintage and antique buttons, there are a number of resources to consider. Old flea markets that have older and antique clothing may also be a source for those that are collecting vintage buttons.

When you are searching to expand your button collection, you shouldn't only purchase the ones for sale individually, or you are likely to pay a higher price. Finding original sources of buttons might mean going to the original sources, which could be old dresses in your grandmother's attic.

Valuing Your Collection of Vintage Buttons:

There are a number of price guides for those that have a vintage button collection. There are some buttons that are in high demand and worth a considerable amount of money. The marketplace is quite active and there are clubs, swap meets and forums for vintage button collectors.

There are a number of resources available to help you determine the value of particular buttons that are the most unusual. Don't be afraid to seek expert help, when collecting buttons, including buying and selling vintage buttons, as part of your collection.