found in middle of no-where

This is an old button from a police uniform found north of Peak Hill.Love to know the circumstances of the lost button,maybe an arrest in the gold rush days? or just simply come loose.
Cheers

Phil

The copper was probly up there chasing young Albo away from the Girly's     

Could be Pete,see if he responds on the forum.

Cheers

Phil

Hi Phil
is it possible to get a clearer pic of the button ? does it have a year on it ? is it made of copper     
ya might be able to do a search to see what years it comes from.

Cliff

Hi Cliff,here is a better pic of button,does not appear to have date on it.Tried googling with out much success.
Cheers

Phil

Phil,
Damn pity it isn't a badge? VERY rare.

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Your button is here, first on second row.
Unfortunately no details.

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Thanks for that Peter.Apparantly J A Platt & Co were a British textile Co and that was all I could find.A date would have been good.

Cheers

Phil

HAha Pete im a bit late on it mate , anyhows , iv gota head like a robbers dog & couldn't find a root in a wood yard ...  

Phil,
Your find got me really interested, will keep you posted on the out come from this email.

Peter,
I have sent your button images to the WA Police Historical Society.
They are having a look for you but on initial sighting, they have told me…



“Off hand I'd say it's c 1950s or earlier. To be certain I'd have to compare it with others we have in our collection and then check out the maker's name on the reverse side.

I'm assuming it's a large button, not the small one used on pockets etc.”

Thanks Peter.I really appreciate the trouble your going to in finding out the information.
Regards
Phil

Tony Burrows in meeka still alive today I think , anyway hes old & those old stone huts fenced off there was his family home , they sold off the leases & Peak Hill gold mine started & they moved to Meeka & Tony started a successful earthmoving bizo , loaders ,graders etc , hes allways at the race round when its on & he knows the whole history of the peak hill mining area if you needed to know anything , albo.

James Platt is listed as a button manufacturer and it's got me interested also.

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This is interesting.  Seems James Platt & Co were woollen drapers who diversified what they made and it appears they ceased to exist shortly before 1912.
so you have a button that is at least 100 years old.


18. Platt’s Boot Rack
Although made by Platt, this oak Boot Rack works to MacDonald’s Patent. The concept is fairly simple but
is definitely thinking outside the box. The rack has a brass serrated edge from which you hang the front part
of the heel. A great benefit of this is that nothing can crawl into your shoes or boots when not worn. The rack
is made to hang and has brass hinges to the ends so that it can be folded in half which not only reduces the
size but also protects the serrated edge. This rack is much longer than the standard size. The rack is stamped
Platt’s Boot & Shoe Rack, 77 St. Martin’s Lane, London along with MacDonald’s Patent. James Platt & Co.
were in business at least as far back as 1852 and based at 78 St. Martin’s Lane. However, their main business
was as woollen drapers as opposed to makers of travel equipment. By 1865 they also had premises at 28 & 29
Cranbourn street and by 1880 had added the property next door at 77 St. Martin’s Lane. In 1912 Alfred Brown
& Sons are listed at 77 & 78 with no record of Platt in the trade directories. The Army & Navy CSL were patrons
of Platts and advertised this rack along with a free standing version in their 1907 catalogue. The rack seems a
curious diversion from Platt’s normal business of woollen drapers but this is a good design and practical for the Victorian traveller. Circa 1900.

Because its a West Aust Police button I think that its date would have to be after 1901 as that was when the different states became into existence with Federation.It will be interesting to see what the Police historical mob come back with.

Cheers

Phil

The latest update on your button Phil, looks like you will need to find a collector to authenticate your find;

Peter this is the info I have on your button from our chap over here.

For your info this button is as I thought pre 1950 however I'm inclined to think that it may be a lot older. It was manufactured by James Platt & Co 77 St Martins Lane London. This company was operating in the 1930s according to the London Gazette of May and Jun 1936.

The WA Police Force sourced buttons from a Brisbane Company in the 1950s and Later Sheridans of Perth in the 60s.

I'm no expert in badges/buttons etc so perhaps this could be referred to a collector in this field.

Thanks for the reply Peter.I will see if I can get a collector to throw some light on it as to its age.
Cheers

Phil

the stuff ya find when googling.

James Platt
born. circa 1831, died 1912
    James Platt was born circa 1831. He was the son of John Thomas Platt. He married Emma Jane Holman, daughter of Samuel Holman and Emma Elizabeth Bolden, circa 1859. He died in 1912
    He was founder of James Platt and Company at St Martin's Lane, London, England, whole-sale woollen merchants. He made a fortune but later went bankrupt.

I like researching this sort of stuff    

This from an article in an Australian newspaper 19th August 1910.

It has been an interesting story and more to be told but this is the last from me. It's only logical that there had to be a stock of buttons with the Jas. Platt & Co name on them still to be sold after they ceased trading and I'm sure they wouldn't have been wasted.
Ya still got an old button and that's something for your collection.    

Good on you Cliff for the info,should go back and see what else I could find.

Cheers

Phil

Phil, ya shouldn't have started this    

In the 1901 English Census, he must have still been a wealthy man.  3 servants, a cook, a parlour man (probably butler) and a housemaid.
By the 1911 Census he's down to 1 servant, he must have been feeling the pinch    
This is definitely the last from me      

Ah c`on Cliff even if you can`t determine the date at least we will know a lot about James Platt.You never know it may come up in a quiz you might be in one day.Keep going.
Cheers

Phil

No, I'm done with it. Let us know what WA coppers come up with about their tunic buttons.
cheers