Circa 1789 Washington Inaugural Button. Cobb-unlisted, Albert WI-20, DeWitt-GW 1789-29, Baker-unlisted. Brass. Choice Very Fine.

23.7 mm. Original shank intact. Deep olive brass with slightly deeper brown patina around the lower border. A generally smooth and inviting appearance, though some of the typical scratches and other marks are visible upon close inspection. The shank is a little bent, but there are no unusual defects worthy of mention. A very pleasing example of this rare type that was not owned or cataloged by Cobb. A very similar button is plated in Albert, but it is clearly a different specimen. We do not find any in online auction archives of the major auction houses. However, two brass examples, both marked GILT on the back (in different punches), and one with a floral spray on the reverse, appeared in a Jeffrey Evans & Associates Sale in 2005. These were described as 7/8-inch and 1/2-inch, and both had a similar script motif on a plain field. The larger of the two had a larger engraving, filling a greater proportion of the field. Such differences speak to more than one maker, but clearly the output from any shop must have been very small. This one came from the Dana Linett Collection, who noted that "Albert's Rarity-6 indicates three to five examples of this type are known" but cites no sales of the type.

From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex the Dana Linett Collection, 2009.