HISTORICAL NOTES

Buttons from 1860 - 1899

B. Blumenthal & Co. was founded in 1877. At that time, clothing styles were dictated by Paris and 90% of the fashion buttons used here were imported. Benjamin Blumenthal used his knowledge of importing and distribution to supply the growing textile trades. Very few buttons were being manufactured in the U. S. at that time.

Until plastics were perfected, more pearl buttons were manufactured than any other kind. The McKinleyTariff Act in 1888 made feasible the manufacture of pearl buttons in the U. S. by taxing ocean pearl shell imports. To compete with this import business in the 1880's, B. Blumenthal established a plant in Muscatine, Iowa to manufacture buttons from fresh water pearl shells collected from the Mississippi River.

Buttons of the era were special. In contrast to the first half of the 19th century, when design was plain and simple, these designs were ornate and materials were rich. Cut steel, enamel, lithographs and intricately designed pearl and shell were popular.

Buttons from 1900 - 1919

The company moved ahead shoulder to shoulder with the textile industry generally and the notion trade specifically.

After the turn of the century there were rapid changes in materials and methods of manufacture. WWI forced phenomenal growth in the American button manufacturing industry as imports declined. American factories were supplying practically the country's entire needs. During this time there were remarkable developments in horn, covered, bone, celluloid and metal buttons, and there was growth in the vegetable ivory and pearl industries as well. Some cut steel buttons were still being made, along with passementerie and elaborate cord designs. Celluloid became the first synthetic material to be used in button manufacture.

Buttons from 1920 - 1940

B. Blumenthal continued its leadership in the button industry. With WWII, American button manufacturing increased as imports again stopped. American exports increased. Company representatives continued to cross the ocean season after season for the latest in button and fashion news. But as importing dwindled, the function of the travelers changed from buying buttons to bringing back ideas and designs.

Designs for B. Blumenthal's La Mode® line were done in Parisian designer salons as well as in the studios of American designers, and, in fact, a large share of Blumenthal production was designed by its own people in the New York offices. Growth in these years was related to growth in the use of plastics.

B. Blumenthal continued to cater to the leading dress manufacturers and retailers like R. H. Macy and Marshall Field. Distribution through chain stores became important, replacing button and "passementerie" shops.

There was great ingenuity in materials at this time and novelty designs were widespread (a diversion to depression and war, perhaps.) The introduction of plastics made possible many changes in button styling. Plastic material had the advantage of convenience and uniformity and a minimum of waste.

Buttons from the 1950s

B. Blumenthal realized early on what plastic would do for the button industry. Buttons could now be molded, stamped or cut with ease and economy. Parisian and American designers continued to originate designs for the La Mode®line. La Mode® and Le Chic® buttons were exported throughout the world.

B. Blumenthal was the first company to understand the importance of chain stores and department stores and the influence of fashion on style. Home sewing became an increasingly important market.

Materials included many different synthetics such as Lucite and Galalith.

Realistic Buttons from the '40s and '50s

With the new plastic materials came great interest in "realistic" buttons, sometimes organized around themes such as "World's Fair" or " Teenager."

In the '40s, Marion Weeber designed for B. Blumenthal such charming realistics as fruits, veggies, birds and plates of food. The parts of each button were individually molded in celluloid then assembled and glued together. Unlike today's handpainted resin realistics, novelties, which are primarily designed for the craft market and garment embellishment, the Weeber buttons were created for the dress trade.

Update

In the mid 80's, Blumenthal's parent company acquired Lansing Company. Lansing Company was also a button company with a long history in the button trade dating back to 1897. In 1995, B. Blumenthal & Company and Lansing Company were merged into Blumenthal Lansing Company.

During 1998 Blumenthal Lansing acquired Button Fashion B.V., a European button manufacturing company located in Veendam, the Netherlands. In 1998 we acquired Westwater Industries which expanded our business into general craft products. Since this acquisition, we have become a national supplier in the craft category.