Turn-of-the-Century Buttons Valuable

Question: You recently discussed a book on button collecting. Wasn’t a major breakthrough in collectible buttons--such as the political variety--due to the use of celluloid? When did this innovation come about? I am trying to trace the production dates for some of the buttons in my extensive collection.--T.Y.

Answer: It’s been about a century since celluloid was first used in any sort of mass production. Turn-of-the-century buttons carrying advertising messages, touting political candidates and colorfully displaying other subjects are highly collectible. And there are still plenty of them around in collectors’ hands that date back to 1900 or earlier.

According to collectible button expert Ted Hake, American inventor John Wesley Hyatt perfected the use of celluloid by 1870 while searching for an ivory substitute.

In his new book, “Collectible Pin-Back Buttons 1896-1986” by Hake and Russ King (Hake’s Americana & Collectibles Press, P.O. Box 1444, York, Pa. 17405, $45), he writes:

“Celluloid was first used in a presidential campaign in 1876, but sparingly. By the campaign of 1888, celluloid lapel studs picturing candidates Harrison, Cleveland and Fisk were introduced by Baldwin & Gleason Co., Ltd., an early New York City novelty firm.”

Q: I have some old shaving mugs, but I’m not sure which are reproductions. Is there any sure-fire method for telling the new from the antiques?--E.O.

A: In the collectible category of shaving mugs, there are thousands of reproductions on the market that closely resemble collectible mugs. It often takes a trained eye to spot them.

Generally speaking, with most collectibles--and shaving mugs are no different--it’s a good idea to get in touch with other collectors, or a club, so that you can learn how to spot fakes. We weren’t able to locate a local club, but perhaps readers will inform us of one.

Obviously, an older mug should show wear signs. Also, recently produced mugs may have lettering on them that gives away the fact that they are reproductions because of the “newness” of the printing process.

In terms of condition, don’t accept a mug with cracks, even if you think it’s several decades old, because shoddy condition can depress resale value.

Collectors are particularly interested in mugs produced during the last few decades of the 19th Century and the first 30 or so years of this century. That was when porcelain or pottery mugs were produced with the owner’s name and occupation on the mug. The mug was then left at a barber shop frequented by the owner for his sole use. Such mugs can easily exchange hands for $200 or more.

Q: In the area of old medicine bottles, if the medicine had a patent, does that make the bottle more valuable as a collectible item?--F.L.

A: Not particularly. Anyone could patent his or her concoction during the 19th Century heyday of bottled medicines as long as the formula didn’t kill you.

And not all medicines were patented, either. Some strange contents were sold at roaming medicine shows that purportedly could cure any ailment you wanted to name. Collectors may value the bottles of these “magical” cures as much as the patented variety--depending on the distinctiveness of the bottle that housed the weird contents.

Collectors generally want old medicine bottles that still have paper labels describing the contents. Then if the bottle has an unusual shape, so much the better.

Ronald L. Soble cannot answer mail personally but will respond in this column to questions of general interest about collectibles. Do not telephone. Write to Your Collectibles, You section, The Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.