September 26, 2018 O'Connor's Americana Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2018
This is the only known Pennsylvania Dutch button mold of the colonial period, according to articles in "The National Button Bulletin, Vol. 16, 1957" and "The Pennsylvania Dutchman Summer-Fall, 1957". This five cavity mold measures 7 3/4" in length and makes three graduated flat-faced buttons and two cuff buttons with convex faces. The well-made mold allows the buttons to have an already pierced eye when removed. The bottom plate contains the button cavities, while the top two arms form the form the loop and eye. The tangs each have turned wood handles with brass ferrules. The back of the plate is engraved with the name "HANES MOLINGER 1755" in block letters and "JACOB MELINGER" below, in a different hand. It is evident that this was the son of Hanes and the second owner. Different spellings of the same name were common in the 18th century. Around this second name is an engraved Pennsylvania German tulip, as well as other floral designs. The mold is accompanied by a grouping of original 19th century documents pertaining to Jacob Melinger, including wills, inventory of his estate at the time of his death in 1847, a property deed, and several estate settlement documents. This early mold is in good condition, retaining a dark patina and showing scattered marks overall. There are two small pieces replaced around one of the pivoting pins, one handle is a contemporary replacement, and the two arm screws are probably replacements. This is a very important Pennsylvania German Colonial button mold.