GWI 6 B
Hand Chased Design
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GWI 6 A & B “GW” MONOGRAM WITH SAINT ANDREWS CROSS BORDER: This button has a Christian religious allusion that interlaces with Scotland’s Saint Andrew’s Cross in the legend and has a single St. George Cross in the slogan area. As with all George Washington Inaugural button’s design was hand engraved in a round steel die hub, and then fired to hardness for production. The steel die was then sent to Canongate Lodge in Scotland where it was either manufactured by a pressurized rolling application or was simply stamped into a round blank metal planchet. GWI 6 A & B has high relief letters for the slogan and St. Andrew’s legend crosses. GWI 6-B appears to have been Hand Embellished or some kind of stippling Chase work done to the legend’s outside border by the St. Andrew’s Crosses. There is also and an added stippling incuse around the inner border edge. The size for GWI 6 & B is 33mm, and currently (2018) both variants have an R-6 rarity rating.
The button depicts a large script George Washington, “GW” Monogram in the center with a colonial swirl around the letters. The use of the colonial swirl is hypothesized to represent George Washington’s military role from starting as a British officer against the French, to then French allis in the Revolutionary War against the British Empire. Full Circle? Hence the name Colonial Swirl. Just before the slogan is an incuse concentric ring. This most likely was a decorative element to emphasize and separate the slogan’s channel with the field. Within the channel is the popular inaugural slogan of the New Era, “Long Live The President.” This slogan is a slight variation of the original salute Robert Livingston shouted to the watchers after George Washington was administered the oath of office. The original being, “Long Live George Washington, President of the United States!” This was then followed by cheers from the crowd and a 13 gun salute.
The slogan is in all raised Roman font capital letters situated on a stipple base. In the bottom of the channel is a Christian St George Cross. Several Allusions here. Reaching out from the edge of the banner well is Seventy Short Sun Rays which are stamped in a circular pattern. The wedge shape of the Rays is a Masonic representation used by operative masons. This is followed by a small plain field which is encompassed by a thin stipple ring. Circling around the button’s outer edge is the unique design of 36 Indented Circles.
George Washington’s Revolutionary War Standard showing solidarity with Scottish-Rite Jacobites
GWI 6-A “GW” MONOGRAM W/ SAINT ANDREWS CROSS LEGEND:
Color: A Nicely Toned Coppery Brown With Green Mustard Highlights.
Metal: Stamped Brass with Raised Cross and Letters.
Size: 32mm. 97.1 Grains
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: GW Monogram / Christian Cross / Cristian & Saint Andrews Legend Crosses /36 Impressions.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong High Relief & Impression Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: This is an extraordinary specimen with an unblemished pattern. The brass planchet is solid and flat, and has no metal loss or deterioration. The button is smooth to the touch, and has no scratches or abrasions effecting the surface. Even though Cobb was noted to have stupidly cleaned all his buttons at one time, this button has retained a natural color tone consistent with age. This is an excellent example that shows nice deep clear impressions.
Reverse Button Analysis: Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. The shank is original, straight and intact. Cobb descriptive label on back..
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 6-A-1:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: No
Harold Cobb/Descendants 1957 to 2003
Purchased from C.K. Parker, in 1957.~
The Miller Collection.~
GWI 6- B “GW” MONOGRAM W/ SAINT ANDREWS CROSS LEGEND:
Color: A Nicely Toned Coppery Brown With Green Mustard Highlights.
Metal: Stamped Brass with Raised Cross and Letters.
Size: 32mm. 97.1 Grains
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: GW Monogram / Christian Cross / Cristian & Saint Andrews Legend Crosses /36 Impressions.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong High Relief & Impression Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: This is an extraordinary specimen with an unblemished pattern. The brass planchet is solid and flat, and has no metal loss or deterioration. The button is smooth to the touch, and has no scratches or abrasions effecting the surface. Even though Cobb was noted to have stupidly cleaned all his buttons at one time, this button has retained a natural color tone consistent with age. This is an excellent example that shows nice deep clear impressions.
Reverse Button Analysis: Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. The shank is original, straight and intact. Cobb descriptive label on back..
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 6-B-1:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: No
GWI 6-A “GW” MONOGRAM W/ SAINT ANDREWS CROSS LEGEND:
Color: An Old Leathery Brown.
Metal: Stamped Brass with Raised Cross and Letters.
Size: 32mm. 97.1 Grains
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: GW Monogram / Christian Cross / Cristian & Saint Andrews Legend Crosses /36 Impressions.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong High Relief & Impression Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis:
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 6-A-2:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: No
Last Known whereabouts Heritage Auctions 2018