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GWI 20-A & B THE FOLIATED SCRIPT "GW" MONOGRAM:
GWI 20-A was engraved in either
brass or copper, and the brass specimens where known to
have a Gilt finish. GWI 20-B was mechanically engraved
in White Pewter in 1801 for the 25th Anniversary
celebration of the American Revolution. The Size for A is 25mm, and the
Size for B is 19mm. GWI 20-A is a flat one-piece button
with a loop shank. GWI 20-B is a flat one-piece button
that uses a unique Tombac Style hump boss with wire loop shank.
GWI 20- A has an R-7 Rating, and
GWI 20-B has a R-6 Rating. This button depicts an
artistic foliated script(with a curlicue),
"GW Monogram"
in the center of the button. Research indicated that GWI
20-B was made both in America and England. There are two
differences which supports this conclusion. First, there
is a slight difference in the
foliated script
letters. Second, at this point British manufacturers
were known to place raised back marks on the button's
reverse. The idea was to indicate expert workmanship and
quality. Americans manufacturers produced plain
un-marked buttons. |
When Your Regiment Barely Retreated From
The British in The Day's Engagement,
and the Lives of Your Fellow Patriots Rely on your Midnight Post
~ The Isabela Collection ~
The Foliated Script GW Button,
By J. Harold Cobb:
When an unfamiliar pattern
of a GW button is first discovered, it has been my policy to locate
a second specimen to establish usage of such new pattern before
adding it to the "accepted list". In March 1957, I acquired a button
bearing the hand engraved initials G.W. It was discovered in
Cambridge Massachusetts. It is 25mm in diameter, golden copper in
color, shanked and of the same era as the other inaugurals. The
engraving is similar to the one shown by A.H. Albert on page 48 of
his book, "Washington Historical Buttons". Since this was the first
known specimen, I did not include it in my book, even though it was
obviously contemporary. Now in May1964, a dealer in Florida sent me
a second specimen of the same pattern. I examined the two and found
the workmanship and construction to be identical. When cleaned, the
second button had the same rich copper color as the March 1957 find.
I know accept these buttons as authentic contemporary Washington
pieces and have given the type Cobb#30. Both are included in the
Cobb collection.
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GWI 20-A THE FOLIATED SCRIPT "GW" MONOGRAM
Color: A Dark Chocolate Patina, with a Hint of
Greenish-Black Residue in the Monogram's Engraving.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Engraved Design, Silvered
Copper.
Size: 25mm.
Rarity: R-7
Variety Type: GWI 20-A, Floral Script GW
Monogram.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example,
Exceptional Planchet Casting, Exceptional Engraved
Impression.
Obverse Button Analysis: This button's charm
comes from it's wonderful chocolate patina and it's
elegant floral script. The planchet is solid with no
minimal signs of metal fatigue. The surface has a nice
even chocolate patina throughout. There are no harsh
scratches or abrasions on the surface that effect the
design. The only metal deterioration is the micro
porosity around the edge. The Foliated Script "GW"
Monogram has a nice deep strike, and clearly shows all
the inner foliated detail lines. The Floral Swirl with
the Accenting Petals is nicely impressed, and shows
strong fluid lines. This is a wonderful example, and
would make a crown jewel in anyone's George Washington
inaugural button collection. *If you own this button, or
one like it, please contact the web site librarian so i
can get some past history and location.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece
button with a loop shank. The shank is reportedly
original, straight and intact. The reverse is also
reported by seller to be clean with no harsh scratches
or abrasions.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 20 A-1:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: No |
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GWI 20-B THE FOLIATED SCRIPT "GW" MONOGRAM
1801 English Reproduction Most Likely Made for the 25th Year
Anniversary of the American Revolution.
Color: A Pewter Gray With a Light Dusty Brown
covering, with A Black Design.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Mechanically Engraved
Design, Pewter.
Size: 19mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: GWI 20-B, Foliated Script GW.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example,
Exceptional Planchet Casting, Exceptional Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This cuff specimen has a
nice impression, and a clear image of the GW Monogram.
The brass planchet is solid and flat, and shows no signs
of metal fatigue or deterioration. The surface show a
few light scratches in the field, but nothing that
detracts from the central design. The Floral Script "GW"
Monogram has a strong die strike, and shows all the
inner detail lines within the monograms letters. The
Foliated Swirl with Accenting Petals still has a nice
deep strike, and the black color shows the depth nicely.
This is an outstanding specimen, and should be a
welcomed as a center piece in a GW button Collection.
Reverse Button Analysis: This flat one-piece
button with a Tombac Style loop shank. The shank is
reported to be replaced, but straight and intact. There
are a few minor scuffs which mar the surface, and also
what appears to be a heat scorch from the shank
replacement. Otherwise smooth and flat.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI B-1:
History: Yes
Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: No |
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GWI 20-A THE FOLIATED SCRIPT "GW"
MONOGRAM
Color: A Milk Chocolate With Yellow Undertones &
Green Encrustations.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Engraved Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 25mm.
Rarity: R-7
Variety Type: Type-A, Foliated Script GW.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example,
Exceptional Planchet Casting, Exceptional Engraved
Impression.
Variety Type: GWI 20-A, Floral Script GW
Monogram.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example,
Exceptional Planchet Casting, Exceptional Mechanical
Impression.
Obverse Button Analysis: A very nice addition for
the visitors pleasure when they visit George
Washington's home in Virginia. The planchet is solid and
flat with no metal fatigue or deterioration. The obverse
shows a smooth surface without any harsh scratches or
abrasions. The Foliated Script "GW" Monogram has a nice
deep strike, and the green color accents all the inner
foliated detail lines. The Floral Swirl with the
Accenting Petals has a nice deep impression, and shows
strong fluid lines. This is a wonderful specimen, and a
welcome in Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens Collection.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece
button with a loop shank. The shank is original,
straight and intact. The reverse is reported to be clean
with no harsh scratches or abrasions.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 20 A-2:
History: Yes
Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:
~ Virginia ~
Mount Vernon Collection
Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens |
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GWI 20-B THE FOLIATED SCRIPT "GW"
MONOGRAM
1801 American Reproduction Most Likely Made for 25 Year
Anniversary of the American Revolution.
Color: Dusk Grey, with Silvery Black Inner Design.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Mechanically Engraved Design,
Pewter.
Size: 19mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: GWI 20-B, Foliated Script Swirl.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example, Exceptional
Planchet Casting, Exceptional Mechanical Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This button has a nice original
aged Pewter tone. Unlike the other example pictured
above, this one has a slightly different die cut for the
Foliated Script "GW" Monogram. Almost like a double die
version of the former, and also the swirl off the "W" is
more hooked around. The pewter planchet is still solid
and shows very good thickness. The planchet shows no
signs of metal fatigue or deterioration either. The
surface shows a nice deep impression, and exhibits thick
solid definition lines. The surface and edge do show a
few light scuff marks, but hardly noticeable with the
complimentary color tone. The foliated Swirl with
Accenting Petals has a nice deep impression, with strong
fluid lines. A very nice example with some strong
retained characteristics.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button
with a Tombac Style loop Shank. This shank is original,
straight, and intact. The surface appears to be smooth
and clean, with maybe a minor scuff mark.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI B-2:
History: Yes
Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: No |
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GWI 20-B THE FOLIATED SCRIPT "GW" MONOGRAM
1801 British Reproduction Most Likely Made for 25 Year
Anniversary of the American Revolution.
Color: Midnight Grey With An Inner Charcoal
Color Within The Design
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Mechanically Engraved
Design, Pewter.
Size: 19mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: GWI 20-B, Foliated Script Swirl.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example,
Strong Planchet Casting, Strong Mechanical Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This specimen has an
elegant design quality that commemorates George
Washington with class. The pewter on this specimen is solid
and flat, but does show some minimal edge loss. The
surface shows a nice deep impression for the monogram,
and the letters inner definition lines have a nice clear
image. The surface has a few light
scratches, but hardly noticeable with the color tone of
the pewter. The Foliated Swirl with the Accenting Petals
still has a nice deep impression, with strong fluid
lines. This is a wonderfully preserved example that has
a wonderful ominous color
tone. Perfect to off set other GW buttons in a
collection.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece
button with a Tombac Style Loop Shank. The surface
appears to be smooth and clean, with maybe a minor scuff
mark.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI B-3:
History: Yes
Recorded Sales Price:
Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:
~ New York ~
The Isabela Collection.~
* Massachusetts auctioneer Ben Corning sold 2
examples 30+ years ago. (1 of which is listed above).
Since the 2nd example hasn't surfaced to authenticate
original period and not early 1801 reproduction R values
remains at 7.
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