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[Celluloid Buttons and Advertising Materials in Salesman Sample Case]

ManufacturerAmerican, active 1902–1960s
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • [Celluloid Buttons and Advertising Materials in Salesman Sample Case]
Date1910s–1920s
Medium4 gelatin silver prints with applied color on celluloid buttons in black case with purple fabric lining 14 color relief halftone prints, laminated Related paper advertisement ephemera
DimensionsClosed (Case): 11 × 16 3/4 × 2 1/8 in. (28 × 42.5 × 5.4 cm)
Open (Case): 21 5/8 × 16 3/4 × 1 9/16 in. (55 × 42.5 × 4 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by Joan Morgenstern
Object number2017.3.1-.18
Not on view

Explore Further

Department
Photography
Object Type
Description

Celluloid-covered plaques
and buttons that combined photographic portraits with a colorful printed
surround were popular in the early 20th century, often as memorials of loved
ones. The backgrounds of the medallions ran the gamut from floral and seasonal
to nationalistic motifs, even including themes such as "Modern Woodmen of
America." The plaques were often sold with metal stands to prop them up
and came in a variety of sizes up to nine inches in diameter.




Provenance[Keith de Lellis Gallery, New York]; purchased by MFAH, 2017.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

[Photo ID Badges]
Various Artists
1920–1960
Gelatin silver prints mounted on celluloid and metallic buttons
2020.137.91.1-.48
Handbag with silver frame
Gorham Manufacturing Company
c. 1895
Silver frame, wool exterior, and silk lining.
94.705
Standing Together
Jeanine Michna-Bales
2022
Inkjet prints, text, book, illustrated map and ephemera in clamshell box with wood top
2022.275.1-.13
The Ideal Scrap Book
Everett Fink
1917–1920
Album of gelatin silver prints, letters, and ephemera
2020.137.76
Helena Lehtinen
2007
Silver, wood, cardboard buttons, textile
2025.555
Front
House of Chanel
c. 1990
Cotton, lycra, grosgrain ribbon, and buttons
95.91.A,.B
Day Suit
Norman Hartnell
1942–1945
Worsted wool and plastic buttons
86.773.A,.B
Scan from 4x5 transparency
Joseph Havel
1995–1996
Shirt collar, needle, thread, and buttons
2006.733
First Wind – CL
Ran Hwang
2013, 2015
Buttons, pins, and beads on wooden panel
2019.689.A-.C
Suit
Yves Saint Laurent
1985–1989
Wool, silk, and plastic buttons
96.702.1-.4
Skirt and Jacket
Ronald Paterson
1964
Rayon and leather-backed buttons
86.712.A,.B
Cruver Manufacturing Company