Collecting Vintage & Antique Button Hooks
Just the other day I realized that I will never run out of vintage or antique topics to talk about because there are simply so many amazing objects to be considered. As in myriads of them, like collecting vintage and antique button hooks, for example.
These little collectibles, which became obsolete in the last century, make a unique and attractive collectible. Yet many neither recognize them nor understand their purpose. So today let’s take a closer look at this fascinating Victorian collectible.
Related posts: Collecting Vintage Buttons Part I and Part II
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History of Vintage & Antique Button Hooks
Source: public domain
Source: public domainWhile button hooks made their first appearance in 17th century France (called boutonneurs), they entered more common usage during the 19th century. About that time various patents begin to appear.
One such patent from 1876 describes the button hook in the simplest possible of terms as “an instrument to facilitate the buttoning of shoes, gloves, and like purposes.”
Impossibly small buttons adorned all kinds of clothing during the Victorian period, including boots, gloves, spats, vests, and collars. Having a button hook handy could make life much easier.
In fact, most people, rich or poor, would have owned a button hook, which they might have carried on their person–in a pocket or purse or hanging on a chatelaine from one’s waist.
NOTE: You can find the button hook patent (above) in the Member Library. (Join HERE!)
Source: Graphics Fairy
Here you see an example of a circa 1880’s woman’s boot with ten closely spaced buttons would have been manufactured out of stiff leather. Buttoning it up would not only have been time consuming but nearly impossible especially if one wore a corset, as was fashionable at the time.
Fortunately, clothing became decidedly less fussy and easier to manage after the turn of the century so special appliances like buttonhooks became unnecessary.
Types of Vintage & Antique Button Hooks
Button hooks range in size from a few inches to a couple of feet and were manufactured in all sorts of materials over the years, including wood, ivory, mixed metal, celluloid, sterling silver, gold, and plastic.
Sterling Silver Button Hook
The wealthier classes might own hooks made of Sterling silver (as seen above) or ivory, while the lower class versions would have been constructed of wood or mixed metal.
I would value this Sterling button hook, marked on the edge nearest the hook, in the $20-25 range.
Metal Button Hooks
While hook design didn’t vary for any specific piece of clothing, the length would have. Fork-sized hooks were designed for boot buttons, while those measuring just a few inches were intended for gloves. Longer versions, up to two feet, were designed for the portly (or corsetted) who had difficulty bending down to button their boots.
In the photo above of four metal button hooks, the top two would have been made for gloves, the bottom two for boots. The closed loop design of the top-most example is sometimes attributed to men’s collars (according to the Buttonhook [sic] Society website), but in this case, I wonder if it was meant for gloves.
I’m guessing so because as you can see below, while one side reads “Young & Co.,” the opposite side reads “Gloversville.” This town, located just over an hour away from me, is known for its glove production, not surprisingly. So my thought is that perhaps this small hook was a give-away with a pair of gloves.
It was not uncommon for shoe, glove, and other clothing manufacturers to advertise their companies on button hooks. They would then give them to customers for free when they bought a piece of clothing in need of one. Some boots were even designed with a slit on the side to hold a button hook for the user’s convenience.
Wooden Button Hooks
I bought the wooden button hook at the top a while back but only learned recently its true function. I had had no idea what it was, since I’d never seen one like it. (The hook-shaped examples are far more common than the closed-loop ones.)
The larger 12″ hook in the middle is a family heirloom that I inherited from my sweet grandmother, one of my favorite people in the whole world. The wood has aged beautifully and its weight and perfect balance feel just right in my hand.
Celluloid Button Hooks
Button hooks made of celluloid, an early form of plastic, resemble ivory and would have been part of larger toilette sets containing perhaps a mirror, a hairbrush, a nail buffer, and numerous other ladies accoutrements.
The Art Deco example at the top dates to the 1920’s or 30’s, while the others are likely a bit earlier.
I find celluloid, which also goes by the name “French Ivory,” rather romantic. The neutral tones allow them to compliment a number of other antiques, like these gorgeous antique letters.
How to Use a Button Hook
Source: mermaid_and_the_buttonhook (used with permission)
Source: mermaid_and_the_buttonhook (used with permission)All sizes and types of button hooks work similarly: A user would insert the hook (or loop) end of the implement into the button hole, grab the button with the hook/loop, twist slightly, and pull the button through the hole.
I discovered this video demonstrating the use of a hook on boot buttons: How to Use a Victorian Button Hook. You might find it interesting, as I did since I’d never seen the process demonstrated before.
Antique & Vintage Button Hook Values
Simple metal button hooks can be readily found at flea markets and estate sales, usually for $1-5. In an antique shop expect to pay $5 -10. Sterling pieces range in value from $20-40, while celluloid hooks sell in the $10-25 range. Wooden examples run from $5-25 each. Of course rarer, more decorative pieces of any materials can result in higher prices.
How to Display Button Hooks
I like this fanned out look for button hooks and can envision them displayed in this pattern inside a shadow box. I think they could easily be tied into place with transparent thread and would make a great conversation piece.
Another way to display them would be in an antique ironstone creamer, hook end down of course to show off the attractive handles.
In the comments below, I’d love to hear about your button hook collection and how you display them 🙂
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Source: The Buttonhook Society
Mine fell apart and the metal rusted. Celluloid does not do well stored in hot CA garages! Had the entire vanity set minus the mirror. Bought a vintage celluloid mirror at Savers a year ago and keeping that in the house to use! Wish I still had the nail buffer, hair box, and button hook though!
I just recently inherited my parents and grandmother’s button hook collection. They had well over one hundred hooks made of various materials…from metal to sterling silver.
My dad made stained wooded boards with cup like hooks to display their finds. As a child, I remember scouring shops to find a new hook to add to the collection.
I so appreciate the information about buttonhooks that my grandmother passed along. She did so much research on many of the hooks and I am so thankful to have some of the knowledge that she passed on.
I found a box with a buttonhook that was evidently from the estate of Freda Bethman who was Grover Cleveland’s mistress. The hook dates somewhere between 1850 to 1880. I am enjoying the discoveries that I am finding in my families boxes of “old stuff”!
Sounds like an amazing heirloom collection Laurie that your parents and grandparents passed down to you. Thank you for sharing your story with us 🙂
I love these little gems, Diana. You have a wonderful collection! We’ve had several in our booths for sale, and we found one for my primitive-loving sister which is all wood and leather – no metal on it at all, a very early one.
And you’re so right…..there should never be a shortage of subjects to talk about, there are SO many things to love from the past!
I hope you have a great week.
Fascinating topic! I really learned a lot. Lots of buttons on shoes looked nice, but glad I don’t have to do that. I am going to be aware when I’m out of them and see if I can find any. 🙂
I bought a celluloid hook for one dollar without knowing what it was. I am surprised to read and learn it is older than the 1940’s Art Deco piece from your photo. Thank you for the information, photos, and link to the video demonstration of a button hook. What an awesome article and reference!
I have one Ivory button hook. It was my grandmother’s but it must have been given to her by her French Mother. It is displayed on my bureau.
Joan
I have a dozen or so I found for $1 each-all celluloid in shades of amber and green. I’bought to put in my booth but haven’t been able to give them up yet.
Loved the buttonhook video!
Great photos and information, Diana! I think I have one or two button hooks somewhere in my house, but not sure where! I”ll have to keep my eyes open and maybe I’ll find them. I think there is one that is either bone or ivory. I kind of wish we still wore those cool high top button shoes. They look so elegant to me. I guess you can buy similar shoes if you look.
Thanks for the fun post!
Every week my sterling silver button hook gets used! On wedding dresses! I bought one off of ebay several years ago since so many wedding dresses have dozens of buttons and elastic loops. It is pretty for pictures as mother buttons up her daughters wedding dress and has been in countless wedding photographs taken in our brides room. I have it lovingly displayed on a silver tray, but I love it because it is still being USED!
My 81 yo mother passed away this January and left an entire house filled with interesting treasures. One item of which I did not know what it was was a button hook! Your article helped explain it to me! Thanks! It’s sterling with a monogram on the handle of EFC. On the very bottom edge of the handle is the date 1913. I’m assuming it belonged to my mother’s parents parents by the date. Very interesting.
I’m so glad the post help you identify your family heirloom, Patricia! Sounds like a lovely piece 🙂
I am a seamstress. My specialty is wedding gowns. I alter them for a perfect fit. The trend is button and loops down the back. I collect button hooks and loan them to brides to use on their wedding day. It becomes something old and something borrowed.
My mom gave me her button hook collection several years ago. I had them displayed in a curio cabinet until we moved. Pretty sure there is close to 100 button hooks of different types. Some of them rusted in curio cabinet so I am looking at other ways to display them. Thank you for the great article.
Hi Becky! I’m so glad you enjoyed the article. I appreciate SO much that you took the time to leave an encouraging comment 🙂 Would LOVE to see some photos of your collection some day…
What a great article Diana! I have collected over 150 button hooks and proudly display them in a glass topped table that has a slide out drawer. I have Bakelite, celluloid, sterling, wood, gold, steel. In Paris a few years ago I picked up three at the famed Paris flea market. I have commercial ones as well as personal ones and one used by my husband’s grandmother. I never tire of finding them and continue to look for unusual ones!
Oh my goodness Candice! It sounds like you have an amazing collection–full of variety and meaning. I wish you luck in your ongoing hunt!
The Adirondacks encompass a fairly sizable portion of NYS. We are lucky enough to spend time in Old Forge. How about you?
Yes, I’ve been to Old Forge but I’m more familiar with the eastern side of the park. I grew up in Peru and my family has a cabin on Rt. 28 in North River. We also have close friends who live on Sacandaga Lake, so we get up there frequently. Old Forge is beautiful!
I found your web page and hoped I could ask you for some information. My mom had a button hook that looks just like one you showed under the heading of “Types of Vintage and Antique Button hooks” (the first one on the left hand side, the small one). A bit later under “Metal Button Hooks” (the second one) you mention it was probably used for gloves.
The one I have has a patent number on the back that looks like 6998 but the patent I found for that patent number wasn’t for a button hook. I assumed the button hook is quite old and may well have belonged to my grandmother. I was wondering what you can tell me about the button hook in terms of its age.
I would need to see the item to comment on it, but unfortunately I don’t do evaluations/appraisals. But here are a few suggestions for finding more information about your button hook:
(1) Check with your local library or bookstore for reference books about your item.
(2) Google “your item” and you may find some helpful info.
(3) Take your piece to a local antique store or auction house and ask for help.
(4) Look for an online appraiser who could help (or get a referral from that antique store or auction house).
Good luck Frank!
Thank you but I wasn’t asking for an appraisal or evaluation. I was asking about the general age of the item. What is the general age/timeframe of the one in your collection (“Types of Vintage and Antique Button hooks” the first one on the left hand side, the small one)? Mine looks identical to the one in your collection. I am not seeking specifics. Would it likely be from the 1800s or 1900s or both?
It could date to anytime in the period you suggest Frank. It’s quite difficult to date extremely common, unmarked items, and while I love button hooks, I’m by no means an expert(!). Good luck with your research!
Good afternoon. I have a button hook collection of approximately 175 pieces. I had it appraised about 8 years ago. It was valued between $1,800-$2,200. In addition each piece has been drawn in a book as well as a list when purchased and the cost at the time. I am interested in selling it. I realize I will not get the appraised value. Any idea where I might advertise it for sale?
Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Louise–I shot a video explaining a variety of ways the non-dealers can sell their vintage and antiques. You can catch it here: https://youtu.be/4tyZGJ1gHnA
I bought a shirt from Weavers of Ireland called a Grandfather shirt. it has 15 buttons for the front. They are 5/16 inch in diameter which is difficult enough for me but the button holes are horizontal – which means I have a hand up under my chin. Have you ever seen a button hook that would work for these? Maybe one that had a right angle bend so I could get my hands back to the side? My wife would normally be the solution but she has Parkinson’s.
Thank you
So sorry to hear about your wife John. Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with a hook of this type. Have you tried searching on eBay or Etsy? That would be my recommendation. Best of luck-