Unlike previous methods of photography which included fragile glass, tintypes were printed on iron (hence their other name, ferrotypes). And due to another invention by Simon Wing called the "multiplying camera" tintypes were able to be easily and inexpensively reproduced. Wing's camera could literally take one image and reproduce it hundreds of times on a single plate. These hundreds of images could then be cut apart and framed... or put into buttons.

Photo buttons became extremely popular in the 1860s and 1870s. In Uniform Buttons of the United States, 1776-1865 Warren Tice observes, " At the beginning of the Civil War hostilities, ferrotype buttons bearing the images of sweethearts, mothers, children, soldiers, politicians and national heros appeared. Soldiers commonly wore buttons with photos of loved ones on their clothing to glimpse when homesick and lonely."

The presidential campaign industry also capitalized on photo buttons. Cockades, mementos and jewelry were all created with tintypes of presidential contenders. (see the samples below)

The Button Baron is doing a wonderful job of recreating these ferrotype buttons. Their photographs are no longer perishable tintypes, but instead are high quality laminates. However, all other parts are made exactly as the originals on a vintage button-making machine at their shop in Gettysburg. In this picture you can see an original tintype button on the left and the Button Baron's reproduction on the right. Looks pretty darn good to me! These good folks have been supplying me with lovely repros for my cockades.

For a final bit of tintype button eye candy, here are three more cockades. From left to right: A mourning cockade for Colonel Elmer Ephraim Ellsworth, a Union cockade showing President George Washington, and a Confederate cockade with Jefferson Davis's photo.