Background/Story
As a new collector in 1994 and of African American heritage, my mentor suggested that I focus on a specialty category. This was a difficult choice as so many beautiful buttons lay before me. I made my decision when I came across many Livery buttons with images of Africans. It was then that I decided to collect Black People on Buttons.
The adorned lady pictured here, was made by Firmin & Sons when they were located at 153 Strand, London. The Conduit Street location also appears on the backmark; years of operation were 1838-1879. Beyond the known heraldic terms and descriptions, the search for genealogical connection is an ongoing search.
