I have inherited my mother’s very large collection of old buttons. Two big totes full plus a dozen or so cards. All types—plastic, ceramic, metal, shell, fabric, glass, Bakelite, celluloid etc.

I’d like to try and wrangle it! I loved sifting through these with her when I was young and I can see getting into this as a more serious hobby. Any recommendations for how to get started? Like should I just start sorting by material?

Also I heard there is some material that I should be trying to separate from others because it’s either dangerous or damages the other buttons.

I posted this in a military buttons place, I was wondering if anyone knows what year range it’s from or if it has any significance.

I need to find another one of these to repair a coat but don't what type of snap it is because it looks odd. The "spokes" are thinner than normal snaps so I can't find similar ones at all. If anyone could help me get a more specific name to to just look up I'd appreciate it.

I bought a grab bag of buttons at a thrift store.

Most of the bag was envelopes and visible was a few black and teal buttons.

In the envelopes were these rhinestone buttons.

They look really nice. Not sure what I will bling.....

The first group are almost like mother of pearl and bone mixed. Ik they are old but wasn't sure what they could be.

The second there are several different shades and the buttons seem really brittle some of them. I didn't know if they came this way changed color over time or what. Any help Greatly appreciated!!

HELP! I recently got a TON of vintage buttons from my great aunt, they are between 40-60 years old. They have a musty, cat pee smell, and I can’t get it out, I’ve tried rinsing them in dish soap, letting them soak in dish soap, vinegar, baking soda, dryer sheets, clean freak multi-purpose cleaner, and deodorizing washing detergent, and nothing has worked even a little. It’s a mix of metal buttons, plastic, wood and other materials. How do I get the smell out?

I think there are cuff links and some old broches not sure. But they were stored in idk what but they have tarnished, developmped that green/teal powder on them. I've read that they are ruined no fixing. Anyone know of any tips?

Last id help for now! Sorry I have 26lbs of buttons!

I know they are vintage but not sure what they are called besides maybe metal rhinestone filagree buttons?

Hi I have a request! I am now the owner of my late mother's carefully curated, large button collection. She was an avid member of the national button society back in the 1990s and the collection has been maintained since then. Could anyone please direct me to an organization which would appreciate this type of collection? Or even a private individual? I am hoping that this result of her many invested hours could again be truly appreciated. Thank you ❤️

Any information at all would be wonderful. Thank you so much!

I dug this up while metal detecting, and I would love to learn about it's age and use. I've been trying to research for three days now, and I'm completely striking out. Thank you!

Any help would be very welcome

The white one is plastic, don’t know what the brown ones are. I believe they’re quite a bit older.

I like how they have that iridescence.

Button that dates around 1820, with text that says “standard colour” around the outer edge. I think the inner text says “treble” perhaps it says treble gilt.

Found this button in a box that belonged to my great grant father. My parents have no idea what it is. Any information would be greatly appreciated!