~ When There is A Hidden Power Struggle For The Country's New Direction ~





GWI 3-A The Majesty Of The People: This is a very complex button that has eluded all historians and published button collectors for centuries. They have all continually misinterpreted GWI 3 as a George Washington Inaugural button. My current research on both the depiction of the new morning sun rising above the clouds, and the inscription majesty of the people point toward a secret meaning that have both political and social layers. So in a nutshell before I give you my theory, historical views, evidence, I will give you the conclusion I have come to.  I believe GWI 3 was made by the Jacobites to honor George Washington, and too coheres his decision on what America could be if he accepted the crown and ruled the country as a monarch. So we have to realize that there is a public layer to GWI 3 as well as a subcutaneous layer that the Jacobites (men of knowledge and power) used for their self-serving agendas in the pursuit of their own family's happiness. The depiction of the Majestic Glory of the heavens with it's sun rising above the clouds could serve both colliding factions (All the people seeking the power in the new country) adequately. So what is the layer you don't see?  The layer you don't see is the Jacobites who want to retain and carry forward their power in society. First, we have to look at the symbolism of the depiction of the new morning sun rising above the clouds. This specific design was commonly found on other patriotic memorabilia throughout the era. I have found an assortment of items ranging from painted wood furnishings to various manufactured products. The depiction was chosen to conjure-up American sentiment, pride, and patriotism for the peoples new founded country.  It shows how America's finally broke free from under the tyranny of the British Empire's rule and restrictions. This is the underlying theme that benefited both the Jacobites and the American-born democratic citizens.  Both of these factions can use this symbolism to advance their agendas, but of course for different reasons. The Jacobites can rule in this new country the way they see fit, and without paying any kind of tribute or adhering to the rules placed on them by the old Scottish-British families; that had controlled everything for thousands of years. To the American-born citizens who received no benefits due to their placement of social standing because of their origin of birth or lack of family bloodlines, the symbolism says that all Americans can choose their own destiny, and have an equal chance at prosperity without the burden of the Old British Empire's rule and taxes.  As the Egyptian Pharaohs would say: "Let it be written, let it be done". That statement goes for both parties in this scenario. 
          The second aspect of this button is a bit more complex unless your a student of Scottish-English nobility, the Ancient Art of Alchemy, George Washington, and the use of the Freemason's organization to further the goals of certain Royal Bloodline families. For thousands of years certain extended-Royal families retained and kept the knowledge secret from the public, and advanced their own agendas under the cover of the British's Empire of expansion throughout the world. The legend in GWI 3 supposedly pays tribute to George Washington directly by inscribing, "The Majesty of The People". On the top layer past historical collectors  surmised that an un-educated populace would see George Washington as the father of their new country and deserving of the title. Unfortunately, I do not believe a researcher should go down that avenue for the proper meaning behind the inscription. To get at the truth, one must ask and answer two questions. First, why would the engravers inscribe, "The Majesty of The People" for the inscription when it was common knowledge he was against having the title of King. Second, who would benefit the most from Washington accepting the crown over being President? 
          My personal theory is that the Jacobite families who wanted to retain their sovereign nobility titles in America would have pressed Washington to be King. Researchers should realize there was still a class of people that would benefit enormously from Washington being King with sovereign powers then having a democratic system by the people put in place. I believe there were only a few of these GWI 3 buttons made in order to aid and give support for this Jacobite notion. Perhaps at one point someone presented a GWI 3 to him, or the people around him. This button would have represented what America could be if he took the crown and title as King! - Robert J. Silverstein

          But, I believe there is more to this story that has several underlying layers that is still hidden to historical button collectors. Maybe even the real reason why George Washington burned his personal diary that detailed the events and people he thought should never come to light in America's history. I think Washington foresaw what could happen in America's future if these Jacobites regained power, and did not want his countrymen to have the hardship of the same European structure system that Monarchs and nobles were privileged too. Being a Freemason had afforded Washington with the information of knowing that the real power of knowledge and wealth rested with these European Jacobite families that operated throughout the world. These were the decedents of the stewards to the various counties Kings who were allowed to marry into the Royal families over thousands of years. Only these bloodlines were allowed to learn the secrets of the skilled professions, and they controlled apprenticeships by strict admission by either birth or marriage.  Our history books and scholars claimed that Washington was a virtues man, and his humility would not allow himself to accept the crown. Is this true or only half the truth? I believe this is only partially correct. George Washington was a Freemason and understood the strict control of knowledge in society and this was prevalent even within the Freemason organization itself. These Freemasons who operated on a Master's level kept and wielded the secret knowledge of Alchemy and the skilled Arts throughout the world. While the Kings and Barons controlled the real power of land ownership and wealth. There lies the important difference that researchers do not take enough stock-in when putting all the pieces of the puzzle together. I find as one gets older and wiser he realizes there are many layers of perception, and scholars unfortunately only tell half the story for fear of the truth being known. Meaning that some of these layers are used to blind us of the real truths, and other layers are to hide the answers to the questions we aren't suppose to ask or know. To help illustrate my theory without giving you a history lesson about the American business infrastructure during the 18th century, lets look at some common historical perceptions that were afforded to the general public. Yes, American-born citizens revolted to the unfair trade policies and taxes of the British Empire. This is the top layer that history books and scholars emphasize to the mass public; but there is also a deeper layer  that is purposefully hidden with hopes we would ignore the real-truth. This subcutaneous layer is the "Strict Class-Structure" that was in place all over the world for thousands of years that would take more then a mere revolution by the American populace to replace. That is the underlying piece to the puzzle we are not suppose to question. So for thousands of years throughout the world (with the suppression of knowledge by the Vatican) all skilled professions and knowledge was strictly controlled by certain bloodline families who's members were associated with freemasons.
         After the American Revolution the climate changed for all the European families to make return on their investments. So they pulled back their money and family members who possessed the much needed skills for an American Business infrastructure to operate successfully. America was left with masses of unskilled and uneducated people with no educational institutions or professional opportunities to change their course for the common person's prosperity. Washington was forced to use his Freemason organization to coheres European Jacobvite families who were Masters in several of the skilled arts to come back with their secret knowledge and make the American business infrastructure work. Only this way he could promote his revolutionary dream for the populace and the American-born aristocratic families he felt obliged too.

           As with all GW Inaugurals and Tribute buttons this was originally engraved in a steel die, and then stamped on either brass or copper planchet. I believe only a handful of these buttons were made for a specific intent by certain individuals. After they were fabricated, I believe they were either taken back to the original die engravers or possibly a Jeweler to be hand-fashioned or chased for presentation. This is a one-piece button, and uses a soldered on loop shank. The Size for GWI 3-A is 32mm, and has an R-7 Rating. The button's pattern depicts a Radiating Sun with a Smiling Face Above the Clouds. The Sun's Rays have large triangles with lined or stippled outlines. Within the triangles themselves are cross-hatch pattern of notches. Outside of the sun's triangles is a second pattern of lined Rays that emanate toward the periphery.  Rolling out from under the rising sun, is a number of Swirling Clouds in a semi-circular pattern. This symbolizes the notion of being above the heavenly clouds. Circling around the outside periphery is a Lined or Stippled Ring. This helps separate the button's inner picture design, and the legend's slogan. Written within the outside legend is a reference to George Washington accepting the crown, "The Majesty of The People". This is inscribed in all Roman Font Capital Letters which circles around the outside border. An Artful Separation Mark was stamped on the bottom of the legend at the 6 o'clock position to show the beginning and ending of the slogan. It is depicted by an, " X with two Arrows pointing toward the crosshatch of the X". The outside edge shows another Stippled Ring with a  Beveled Edge. The button's design is suppose to symbolize the Majestic Glory of the Heavens Shinning on America for the New Era.

                                 

GWI 3-A THE MAJESTY OF THE PEOPLE

Color: An Copper Red Patina with Greenish Yellow Encrustations.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Stamped and then Hand-Fashioned Afterward, Copper.
Size: 32mm.
Rarity: R-7
Variety Type: Triangle Notches in the Sun's Triangle's Pattern 1.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Specimen, Exceptional Planchet Condition, Strong Impressions Remain.
Obverse Button Analysis: The button still retains a nice image of the original depiction. The copper planchet is solid and flat, and shows no signs of metal fatigue or deterioration. The surface has been lightly polished by Cobb, but still has a bright luster with a nicely aged copper color tone. The Sun still holds a strong outline impression, but the sun's face is worn smooth and unrecognizable. The surface does show some very thin light scratches, but they seem have mixed with in with the copper color tone over the years nicely. The Star like stippled pattern emanating from the sun still shows a strong image with good clear indentures within. The fine line rays striking outward toward the legend also have nice clear incuse lines. The rolling clouds under the sun shows some flat wear in spots and unfortunately they become mutt led.  Meaning the circles blend into each other, and do not show individual swirls. The outside stippled ring still depicts a nice clear impression. The Roman Style Capital Letters are mostly worn flat in "MAJESTY OF THE", and completely worn flat for "PEOPLE". The outside edge is still intact without any bends or indents. The artful Separation Mark still retains a nice deep impression with a good clear image.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank was re-soldered.

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 3 A-1:
History: Yes               Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:             No

Harold Cobb/Descendants 1964 to 2003 Stacks Sale.~
Cobb purchased this from Jack Martin at the 1964 APIC convention in Hartford, Connecticut.
This was from The John Andrews Collection.~

GWI 3-A THE MAJESTY OF THE PEOPLE

Color: A Bright Brass Yellow with Orange Highlights.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Brass.
Size: 32mm.
Rarity: R-7
Variety Type: Triangle Notches in the Sun's Triangle's Pattern 2.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example, Strong Planchet Casting, Good Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This button seems to be in superior condition for it's age. This was donated by Reginald Hart to the Lightener Museum in St. Augustine, Florida. The button has a high luster, and still retains it's original tone. The brass planchet appears to be solid and flat, and shows no waviness or shallow depressions. The surface has a few light scratches and abrasions, but nothing that detracts from any of the designs. The Sun's face still holds a clear image, and is the only example known to do so. The sun's triangles have a nice stippled outline with clear cross hatch impressions. The shooting rays show nice clear lines, with good deep impressions. The rolling clouds on the bottom are clearly outlined, and show clear swirling lines. The Roman Style Letters all have a nice deep impressions, and are easy to read. The artful separation mark has a deep stamp, and clearly shows the two arrows meeting the X in the middle.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact.

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 3 A-2:
History: Yes               Recorded Sales Price:          No
Current Button Owner and Location:       ~ Florida ~

Now resides in the Lightener Museum, St. Augustine, Fla.~
Previously part of the Reginald Hart collection.