Button ?

[Regis]

Hallo,
Button ? ? ?

[Cribyn]

Hello Regis

All I can say is that I have seen similar buttons advertised for sale as being 'Royal Courts of Justice' but I have seen no proof of this.

Also seen it being sold as 'Chelsea Pensioners' or 'RCI' - 'Royal Corps of Invalids' (that assumes the final letter is an 'I', not a 'J') but it is not the usual Victorian pattern of button for the Chelsea Pensioners.

I believe the backmark of 'Sherlock and Co, Covent Garden, London' would date it to around the 1880s.

Regards
Roger

[GTB]

I doubt that it's Royal Chelsea Institute - having a coronet and not a crown. Besides, the I or J is not a typical English font. Looks more like a Victorian period hotel logo.

GTB

[Cribyn]

Originally Posted by GTB

I doubt that it's Royal Chelsea Institute - having a coronet and not a crown. Besides, the I or J is not a typical English font. Looks more like a Victorian period hotel logo.

GTB

Hello GTB

I do agree with your comments. I was wondering if it was a household livery button perhaps. It didn't occur to me that it could be a 'commercial' livery button, hotel or business!

Roger

[Phil2M]

Absolutely not chelsea institute.

[Regis]

Hallo Roger,
Number 1- 1881-1895 Durham Infatery
Number 2- 1902-1947 Durham Infatery
Number 3- ???

[Regis]

Originally Posted by Phil2M

Absolutely not chelsea institute.

1850 Royal Chelsea Infirmary @ Royal Hospital ?

[GTB]

The last letter is either I or J (evidently). Although not strictly so, considering use of an English buttonmaker I tend to consider the button face to be British too. Therefore, if a J then it could be a Jail (although jails come/came under the Crown). Failing that, it could be as Roger pointed out, livery, and the initials could therefore refer to a name. An 'I' gives more scope to assigning a title to the button.
GTB

[GTB]

Another contender is Royal Courts of Justice, albeit one would have to reconcile the coronet!
GTB

[Cribyn]

Originally Posted by Regis

Hallo Roger,
Number 1- 1881-1895 Durham Infatery
Number 2- 1902-1947 Durham Infatery
Number 3- ???

Hello Regis

Number 1 is Durham Light Infantry 1881-1901.
Number 2 is Durham Light Infantry 1902-1947.
Number 3 is a 'general pattern' button used by many volunteer rifles or light infantry units.

Roger

[Cribyn]

Originally Posted by Regis

1850 Royal Chelsea Infirmary @ Royal Hospital ?

No, we don't think it is for this organisation. Strictly speaking the title is Royal Corps of Invalids (according to their official website!) but also referred to as the Royal Hospital, Royal Chelsea Infirmary or Institute but admired by all as the 'Chelsea Pensioners'.

Roger