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View Full Version : "James Wood Philadelphia" Flat button Backmark



Sharpshovel
04-03-2021, 05:52 AM
Any of you guys familiar with this backmarK? I dug a cuff size flat button yesterday evening its .560" diameter. Front looks like it may have a design or insignia but its in Bad shape and I can't distinquish it with a magnifier. Back mark is "James Wood Philadelphia" For some reason I cant upload photos to the post. Coins from the site date from 1798 to 1832.

Any info would be appreciated on the backmark
Thanks,

Full Metal Digger
04-04-2021, 11:18 AM
I'm not familiar with that back mark, sorry. Your pictures won't upload if they are bigger than 2mb each. I always have to crop them down before they will upload for me.

OxShoeDrew
04-04-2021, 03:24 PM
You know, you can try simply double clicking on a photo, copy it, paste it right in your post, the text area. That works for me whatever the size is.

fyrffytr1
04-04-2021, 09:43 PM
I can't find a James Wood in any of my references so he is probably not a military goods maker or dealer. You might try searching Philadelphia merchants from the time period you mentioned. Good luck with your search.

fyrffytr1
04-04-2021, 10:07 PM
I did a little more digging and found a website that lists several Philadelphia business directories going back to the 1700s. Here is a screen shot showing the Woods listed in 1810. Note there a few James Woods on the list. And for anybody who wants to add the link to their research library, here it is: https://guides.temple.edu/philadirectories/online

fyrffytr1
04-04-2021, 10:14 PM
And the 1820 list:

Sharpshovel
04-05-2021, 04:24 PM
Thanks, for your all of your replies and research, I was especially curious that it may have been a war of 1812, or state militia button of some sort, as I hadn't seen that back mark on civilian buttons but it looks that is not the case,
Thanks, Everyone for replies

del
04-05-2021, 04:52 PM
Thanks, for your all of your replies and research, I was especially curious that it may have been a war of 1812, or state militia button of some sort, as I hadn't seen that back mark on civilian buttons but it looks that is not the case,
Thanks, Everyone for replies

A button's simple construction , composition , shank area can be enough sometimes to give you a good indicator to its time era as well.

Dan

OxShoeDrew
04-05-2021, 04:59 PM
fyrffytr1 is the best man for the button ID job! Good luck on further info!

OxShoeDrew
04-05-2021, 05:08 PM
Well, Dan's ID prowess doesn't need mention.