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Don't Like My Flag,
Leave My Country !
~ The Isabela Collection ~
GWI 15-A & B
Federal Eagle With Morning Glory Above:
The only few surviving specimens of this button indicate
they were made in both brass and copper. All three
specimens that are depicted below indicate a high level
of engraving skill and artistry that would have been
only obtainable through skills learned in the engraving
guild. Also, two of the specimens show they have been
either Gold or Silver-Washed which indicates this
probably would have been one of the more expensive New
Nation Tribute buttons. This button was marketed for a
well-to-do individual would have either ordered this
through a jeweler, or a garment magazine, or purchased
through a fine clothier. Since very few specimens ever
surfaced, this tells me they were probably only produced
for a short time, and in a limited quantity as compared
to other popular styles of that time. As with all GW
Inaugurals and New Nation Tribute buttons this was
engraved by members of the engraving guild. A Freemason
Master with 4-5 apprentices who were skilled on a
Free-Craft level. They would have engraved their design
in a round steel die hub and then stamped the pattern on
a blank metal planchet. Then a Gold or Silver-Wash was
brushed on and baked to set the wash.
One should also take note that GWI 15-B was cut in
Low-Relief.
An unusual style for something that would be mass
produced because of quickness of die replacement on
multiple strikes. These steel die hubs took long periods
of time to produce to perfection. This can also point
toward the knowledge of the engravers knowing this was
going to be a limited run, and gearing this elegant
expensive button toward the rich.
The Size for both
GWI 15-A & B is 32mm., and at this point in time (2014)
both have a R-7
rarity rating. Unlike other celebratory buttons made in
this era,
GWI 15 A & B the Eagle faces to the
left. This would be a stand-out characteristic for me,
but it is in accordance of being on the same side as the
olive branch. Blazoned across the eagle's chest is a
Federal Shield that is lined to represent the
thirteen
known states. So this piece of information can indicate
1789 and not made again in 1793 when 15 states were
known to be in the union. In the eagle's right talon
there is a
Bundle of Six Arrows.
This is another stand-out characteristic that I just
attribute to artistry. In the eagle's left talon there
is unusual depiction of what looks like
Stalks of Wheat
instead of the usual olive branch. Could this be a
reference to America being recognized as a fertile
farm basket? Or could this just be the engraver's
rendition of an olive branch? In GWI 15-A, the button
depicts the Morning Glory above the
Eagle's head with 13
Six-Pointed Stars.
In GWI 15-B there are
13 Six-Pointed Stars that are Outlined.
These stars symbolize the thirteen states that ratified
the New Constitution, and also another clue that it was
made in 1789 and not in 1793.
This Morning Glory
depiction is also supporting evidence to my conclusion
that this is a tribute button to our New Country,
and not to George Washington. The morning Glory begins
above the eagle's head with a series of
Eight Swirling Clouds
in a small arc. Emerging from these swirling clouds are
Thirteen Sun Rays
that shoot upward toward
Thirteen Six-Pointed Stars.
Above this is a larger set of
Thirteen Roiling Clouds.
The combination of 13 stars and 13 clouds forms to what
is called a "Morning
Glory".
~
Celebrating America as A
New Nation ~
I believe that researchers and button collectors in the
past have mistakenly attributed National Tribute buttons as a George Washington
Inaugural Buttons that pays tribute to George Washington
as being our 1st President. I believe
this to be incorrect by my predecessors. It is my
theory that GWI 15 was attributed to our New Nation
celebrating the unification of the states under a new
federal government. The
button not only celebrates the country's 1st birthday,
but as a new
nation that will start to operate under a state ratified
Constitution instead of separate states operating under
the post-Revolutionary War articles confederation.
This will also be the 1st
time the Senate convened as a unified body under a
newly created federal government. There is nothing tributary toward
President Washington, and the intent of the
button's depiction by using a form of the Great Seal of the
United States should justify my conclusion alone.
If one becomes a student of history such as myself, he will
easily be able to identify other manufactured patriotic products
of this time frame that use a form the Great Seal of the
United States as a
celebratory sales item that honor our country. I believe
National Tribute buttons were sold along side of George
Washington Inaugural Buttons, or sold within the same
time frame. I do value National Tribute buttons just as high as GWI buttons, and
attribute their rarity to a much higher degree because
of their scarcity.-Robert J. Silverstein
GWI 15-A FEDERAL EAGLE WITH A
MORNING GLORY ABOVE
Color: Silver or White Wash.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Low Relief Engraving,
Silver-Wash Copper.
Size: 32mm.
Rarity: R-7
Variety Type: Bundle of Six Arrows / Stalks of
Wheat / 13 Six-Pointed Stars.
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Good
Planchet Condition, Good Low-Relief Impressions Remain.
Obverse Button Analysis: The design in this
celebration button that was cut in Low Relief. Unfortunately,
the button shows metal fatigue, deterioration, and
corrosion throughout the surface. There was some
collector speculation that these buttons were painted
with a pigment in different colors. The only GWI button
I could confirm that was with GWI 27 with 15 stars. To
support this hypothesis since anything is possible we
have to look at two important facts. First, this was a
high end expensive button finished in Silver or Gold. So
pigmenting the would make no sense unless it was a few
years old and the person wanted to embellish it to be
participate in some kind of current fashion of the time.
So it is my belief this would not have been done after
the direct purchase, but some years later. This button's
surface unfortunately shows flaking, and chipping of Gold-Wash
right down
to the bare metal. As with other National tributary
buttons the pattern depicts a
variation of The Great Seal of the United States and a
Morning Glory. The
spread eagle's head is facing left under a
Star Filled Morning
Glory, that is below another set of
Roiling Clouds. In
the Eagle's right talon is a small
Bundle of Six Arrows
pointing upward. In the Eagle's left talon is what I
believe to be
Stalks of Wheat
possibly to represent America's
fertile farm land. On the Eagle's chest is a
Federal
Shield that is lined. Directly above the Eagle's head is a set of
Five
Small Semi-Circular Clouds. Emerging from behind these
clouds is the rays of a
New Morning Sun. This is
depicted by a series of Triple Line Rays shooting out
toward the heavens. Encompassing half way around the
rays in an arc of
Thirteen Five Pointed Stars. These
stars symbolize the thirteen states unified states that
ratified the New Constitution. Directly above the Stars
is a series of Eight more Swirling Clouds in a
semi-circular pattern.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece
button with a loop shank. The Shank is original,
straight and intact. The surface shows metal fatigue,
corrosion, pits, and huge porous areas.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 15 A-1:
History: Yes
Recorded Sales Price: Digger Owner
Current Button Owner and Location: ~ Maryland ~
The D. Moore Collection.
*Excavated at an Old Tavern Site in Somerset County
Maryland, September 2002
GWI 15-B FEDERAL EAGLE WITH
MORNING GLORY ABOVE
Color: A Nicely Aged Silver-Wash.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Low-Relief Engraving, Silver-Wash Copper.
Size: 32mm.
Rarity: R-7
Variety Type: Bundle of Six Arrows / Stalks of
Wheat / 13 Six-Pointed Outlined Stars.
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Strong
Planchet Condition, Strong to Exceptional Low Relief Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This die variant is very
similar to GWI 15-A's pattern, but a different style
eagle is depicted. I do believe this was made in the
same state as GWI 15-A by the same Master and Free-Craft
level apprentices. The planchet appears solid, and shows
very little environmental corrosion. Unfortunately, the edge looks
purposefully damaged, as if someone used a file on the
edges in some
areas. I cannot see the benefit of giving the button a reed edge.
What I can see is an illiterate person thinking it was
Silver and shaving off the edges. This was a common
practice of the era, but only speculation on my part. There is also number of
small knife cuts and nicks all along the bottom of the device.
Otherwise, the copper planchet remains solid. The button
shows a few
light scratches and abrasions to the surface, and also
has some chipping and flaking to the Silver's
finish. There is one detracting scratch starts from the top of the
eagle's leg, and moves across the right wing and into
the open field. As with all known nation tribute buttons, the pattern depicts a variation of The Great
Seal of the United States and a Morning Glory above. The
detail of work that went into making the eagles feathers
in it's neck, wings, legs and tail show an extreme
quality of detail for a life-like depiction. This would
have been a work of art for that era, that in my opinion
could have only been produced by a Master. Not an
untrained or self-taught engraver. Most likely this
person would have been known for high quality Jewelry.
GWI 15-B depicts a federal-type spread eagle that is facing left.
In this depiction the eagle has a
flailing tongue as if screeching. In the Eagle's right
talon is a small
Bundle of Six Arrows pointing upward.
In the Eagle's left talon is what I believe to be
Stalks
of Wheat
to represent America's fertile farm land. On the
Eagle's chest is a lined
Federal Shield. Directly above
the Eagle's head is a set of
Five Small Semi-Circular
Clouds. Emerging from behind these clouds is the
Sun Rays of the New Morning Sun. This is
shown by a series of
Sun Rays that are triple lines that shoot outwards the
toward the heavens.
Encompassing half way around the rays in an arc of
Thirteen Six Pointed Outlined Stars. These stars
symbolize the thirteen states that ratified the New
Constitution. Directly above the Stars is a series of
Eight more Swirling Clouds
in a semi-circular pattern.
One should take note that the combination of both sets of clouds make Thirteen!
The combination of 13 stars and 13 clouds forms to what
is called a "Morning
Glory".
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece
button with a loop shank. The shank is original,
straight, and intact, and appears to be in good
condition. the reverse shows micro porosity, but no
heavy nicks or scratches.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 15 B-1:
History: Yes
Recorded Sales Price: Digger owner
Current Button Owner and Location:
~ Virginia ~
The B J. Lucero Collection.
Excavated by a Treasure Hunter in Northern Virginia,
November 2010
*There is some supporting evidence that this
button was originally made in South Carolina, the 8th
state to sign the Constitution, but should be considered
speculation for now. - Robert J. Silverstein
GWI 15-B FEDERAL EAGLE WITH
MORNING GLORY ABOVE
Color: Brown with a Ghost White Image.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Low-Relief Engraving, Silver-Wash Copper.
Size: 30.40mm.
Rarity: R-7
Variety Type: Bundle of Six Arrows / Stalks of
Wheat / 13 Six-Pointed Stars.
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Good
Planchet Casting, Only A Poor Relief Pattern Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: This is the only other
specimen known for this die variant.
When the digger called me to sell
it, he sent me an image of a button in much better
condition. I offered a fair market price, but he was
greedy and thought he could get more if he cleaned it.
Well he deteriorated it further and to it's present
condition and History lost a Good button. So this button
should serve as a Warning to people, don't clean these
buttons, there irreplaceable!
The planchet
remains solid, but unfortunately the button's planchet shows corrosion and
micro porosity throughout. As with other Nation Tribute
buttons the pattern depicts a
variation of The Great Seal of the United States and a
Morning Glory. The
spread eagle's head is facing left under a
Star Filled Morning
Glory, that is below another set of
Roiling Clouds. In
the Eagle's right talon is a small
Bundle of Six Arrows
pointing upward. In the Eagle's left talon is what I
believe to be
Stalks of Wheat
possibly to represent America's
fertile farm land. On the Eagle's chest is a
Federal
Shield that is lined. Directly above the Eagle's head is a set of
Five
Small Semi-Circular Clouds. Emerging from behind these
clouds is the rays of a
New Morning Sun. This is
depicted by a series of Triple Line Rays shooting out
toward the heavens. Encompassing half way around the
rays in an arc of
Thirteen Five Pointed Stars. These
stars symbolize the thirteen states unified states that
ratified the New Constitution. Directly above the Stars
is a series of Eight more Swirling Clouds in a
semi-circular pattern.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece
button with a loop shank. The shank is original,
straight, and intact, and appears to be in good
condition. The reverse is corroded with slight porosity.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI
15 B-2:
History: Yes
Recorded Sales Price:
Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:
~ Oklahoma ~
The Gray Collection.
Previously the Isabela Collection.~
*Excavated by Tim Jeandrevin at the Henline School
in February 2013
Local
State Artisans Pay Tribute to our Great
Country
The Specimens listed below were sold and confused with
1789 GW Inaugural or New Nation Tribute buttons. They
are also believed to be custom ordered from a high end
Jeweler for either an American Military officer who
served under Washington, A Senator or Congressman, or
some Patriotic Individual with monetary means.
Again, this is not the case.
Collectors should note not to get
over excited believing they found an unknown or
re-discovered GW or New Nation Tribute button.
The evidence clearly shows after a thorough examination
that none of these buttons would have been made by a
high-end Jeweler or someone who had the taught skill set
that was associated within the Freemason engraving
guild. These are extremely crude-depictions of an
individual who is on an beginners apprentice level. I
believe these were crafted for a national celebratory
event between the years of 1797 and 1812 - Robert
J. Silverstein
1801-1814 Nation Tribute Button: Eagle With Morning
Glory
Color: Antique Brass with A Subtle Green Patina.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Hand Engraved, Reportedly Gold-Wash
Brass.
Size: 33mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: Upraised Shield / 3 Arrows / 76-80
Indentees / 13 Five Point Star Within Dots / 17 Arrow Head
Sun Rays
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example,
Strong Planchet Condition, Exceptional Impressions
Remain.
Obverse Button Analysis: A nice hand-engraved button
that pays tribute to our country.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece
button with a soldered on loop shank. The shank is
original, straight, and intact.
Library Records Has Limited Information:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: ~ New York ~
1801-1814 Nation Tribute Button: Eagle With Morning
Glory
Color: Antique Brass with A Greenish Patina.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Hand Engraved, Gold Wash
Brass.
Size: 32mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: Slanted Shield / 4 Arrows / 82
Indentees / 13 Five Point Star Dots / 17 Arrow Head Rays
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example,
Strong Planchet Casting, Exceptional Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: A nicely engraved button
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece
button with a loop shank. The shank is original,
straight, and intact.
Library Records Has Limited Information
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:
~ New Mexico ~
1801-1814 Nation Tribute
Button: Eagle With Morning Glory
Color: Antique Brass with A Greenish Patina.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Hand Engraved, Copper.
Size: 34mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: Upraised Shield / 3 Arrows / 84
Indentees / 13 Five Point Star Dots / 16-17 Arrow Head
Rays
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example,
Strong Planchet Casting, Exceptional Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: A nicely engraved button
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece
button with a soldered on loop shank. The shank is
original, straight, and intact, and appears to be in
good condition with slight porosity, but no heavy nicks
or scratches.
Library Records Has Limited Information
History: Yes Recorded Sales
Price Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: No
Found in the Hudson River Valley Area Upstate NY
Picture Courtesy of Ted Hake
1801-1814 Nation Tribute Button: Eagle With Morning
Glory
Color: Antique Brass with A Greenish Patina.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Hand Engraved, Copper.
Size: 33mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: Upraised Shield / 3 Arrows / 78
Indentees / 13 Five Point Star Dots / 17 Arrow Head Rays
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example,
Strong Planchet Casting, Exceptional Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: A nicely engraved button
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece
button with a soldered on loop shank. The shank is
original, straight, and intact.
Library Records Has Limited Information
History: Yes
Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: No
1801-1814 Nation Tribute Button: Great Seal of United
States Rendition
Color: Chalk White Blackboard.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Hand Engraved, Silver Wash
Copper.
Size: 17mm. Cuff
Rarity: R-7
Variety Type: Federal Shield / 13 Arrows / 4
Petal Olive Branch
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example,
Strong Planchet Casting, Exceptional Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: A nicely engraved button
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece
button with a soldered on loop shank. The shank is
original, straight, and intact.
Library Records Has Limited Information
History: Yes
Recorded Sales Price: No
Current Button Owner and Location: No
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