Historical information

Sally Hearn (1932–2018) was a dedicated button collector and a prominent member of the Victoria Button Collectors Club. Her button collection was featured as a primary display in the 'The Melbourne Story' exhibition at the Melbourne Museum, which opened in mid-2008.

Significance

The Hearn Collection of locally made and international buttons is historically and aesthetically significant as it illustrates the textile and manufacturing history of button making.

Physical description

25 buttons on gold card on green card. Clothing buttons, or to be admired. Made by an individual named 'Heather' in Mt. Compass (South Australia), through 1996-1999.

Inscriptions & markings

Original Catalogue Entry: "En route to Victor Harbour we passed through Naracoorte S.A. where a lady in the Op Shop was sporting a lovely hand painted brooch. I asked her where she got it. She said her daughter had made it for her. I asked for her daughter’s details only to discover she lived where we were heading. Having made contact and eventually providing Heather with the sets of Mother of pearl buttons, she sent me a set each year in turn, of the flower, bird and animal emblems of each Australian State and Territory."