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.

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.

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.

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."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

5 buttons on pink metallic card. Made from brass, depicting mostly fish. Used for lady's blouse or dress. Made in Friesland (Netherlands) between 1950-1960.

Original Catalogue Entry: "On a visit home Martha bought a set of buttons. Wearing them in Australia she lost one. Returning to Europe she returned to the jeweller for a replacement, only to discover the fish had changed direction! The next year she lost another and returning, on her annual visit, to replace it she discovered no more fish just plain hammered buttons! No matter she still bought one!"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

2 buttons and 2 cards on grey card. Used for fancy dress, a gold and silver representation of skulls with red beads for eyes. Made by Robert Jan in 1999, location unknown.

Original Catalogue Entry: "I gave a talk at Hampton Community Centre, it was advertised in the local paper and Robert attended. He introduced himself afterwards and gave me the buttons!"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

10 buttons on handmade paper on green card with dried flowers. Each button is a wooden representation of either logs or seed pods. Made by Dianne Thomas in South Australia, 1995.

Original Catalogue Entry: "En route to Adelaide I found a post card and a few buttons in the Op shop in Heywood, A rubber stamp of a phone number was just decipherable. I rang to order a set, Dianne said she no longer made them but had a few left somewhere. At a later date they arrived in the mail - Thank you Dianne!"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

Contrary to title, there is only 4 loops on 1 circle of leather. Made of goat horn, usefulness as buttons questionable. Created by an individual only known as 'Percy' in South Australia, 1999.

Original Catalogue Entry: "The 2 ladies in the shop said they had no buttons then one remembered the ones that “Percy” had made so I bought them both but I’m not sure if it’s 2 circular leather buttons decorated with goats horn, or if it’s 7 goats horn buttons and if so how were they used?"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

3 toggles on blue paper on red card. Representing two ships and a tusk, made from whale's teeth. Made by a Jesper Rasmussen of Albany (Western Australia) in 2001.

Original Catalogue Entry: "Seeing the lovely scrimshaw pieces for sale at the Information Centre in Albany, I enquired about the artist and was given a phone no. which I rang. Dorthe answered they weren’t far away “but don’t come for at least 20 mins” so she could square up! On arrival Jesper was gardening, not very interested in callers. “No” said Dorthe “no more buttons only these toggles” – his supply of whale’s teeth was gone and he was sick. Lovely other items there for sale. The next year I sent friends there to visit them, and was very sad to later learn Jesper had died not long after our visit, from a lung complaint, no doubt brought on by the dust from his scrimshandering."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

2 buttons on white card. Made of glass, coloured in blue and yellow with a triangular shape. For use on cardigans and jackets. Made by Irene Zinsstag in Victoria, sometime in 1999.

Original Catalogue Entry: "I gave a talk at Hampton Community Centre, it was advertised in the local paper and Irene attended. She introduced herself afterwards and gave me the buttons."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

10 buttons on old paper on yellow card. Made from dried quandongs, presumably somewhere around the Mildura area. Unknown creator, circa 1930s.

Original Catalogue Entry: "I like to think they were made and mounted by a housewife to supplement the family income during the Depression. No doubt an educated lady – the calligraphy is delightful. The rayon or artificial silk thread – “poor man’s embroidery thread” has not lasted the distance and some have fallen off and been lost. Of course the delicious fruit surrounding the stones would have been made into jelly or jam – and maybe sold too for more income."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

One button on grey card. Made of glass and brass, depicting a collection of colourful flowers. Made by a B. Stoner in 2000, location unknown.

Original caption: "Bought from Dot’s stall at the Needlework Tool Collectors Association Conference, Melbourne."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

Two buttons on brown card. Made from either the bone or horn of a merino ram, ivory coloured round buttons perhaps as an academic exercise. Created by Eldred Johnstone in Kyabram (Victoria), 2004.

Original Catalogue Entry: "Eldred collects shearer’s combs. I gave him 2 several years ago and told him he owed me 2 good buttons! Then he appeared on the doorstep several years later, out of the blue, with these 2 which he had so carefully made."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

8 buttons on blue paper on red card. Dark blue and brown in colour, made of glazed clay. Made by a 'Wally' c. 1930, somewhere around Maribyrnong (Victoria).

Original Catalogue Entry: "Margaret’s mother Ella Stone had a boarder named Wally. Wally was an alcoholic and a bit of a ‘no hoper’ but he worked at the Maribyrnong Pipe Works. One day after school Margaret told him to take off his trousers, he couldn’t continue to go around without any buttons and she would sew some on for him. A while later Wally came home with a paper bag for her. In it were these buttons he had made at work for her! – made from the clay and glazes of Melbourne’s sewerage pipes in exchange for some trouser fly buttons!!!"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

Buttons on large brown card. Various different colours, materials, and designs. Each set of buttons is attached to it's own card.

Original Catalogue Entry: "The cards offer a variety of designs, and the countries of manufacture and the washing instructions are quite historical to us today."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

Animal buttons on cream card. Consist of cats and dogs in various colours, materials, shapes, and sizes.

No catalogue entry included.

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

Animal buttons on white card. Includes birds, swans, chickens.

No catalogue entry included.

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

Animal buttons on white card. Includes kookaburras, cockatoos, and penguins in various colours.

Official Catalogue Entry: "What fun they all are and what “attitude” some of the dogs and cats have!"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

12 buttons on dark blue card. Made to look like blue koalas.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Nancye gave me these saying she had used them on her daughter Louise Anne’s dress in 1956"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

21 buttons on dark green card. Depict different Australian animals with an impression made on the button, then painted. Two in the shapes of lorikeet, and another a map of Australia.

Official Catalogue Entry: "This collection of glass buttons depicts Australian fauna and a small map."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

Official Catalogue Entry: "The warranties printed on the cards e.g. “will not break in Mangling”. How many people know what a mangle is?"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

The item comprises eight buttons, two of which are made from glass and are in the shape of flowers and six of which are made from vegetable ivory and were used for men's trousers. Manufacturers are unknown.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Margaret Glover wore the glass buttons on a pink woollen dress. Alan’s father, Arch Glover, was a Collin’s St. tailor making “Weary” Dunlop’s suits, etc., in partnership with Mr. Guest. When Mr. Guest died in 1951, Arch worked at home, having built up a healthy list of clients."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

The item comprises 15 buttons and 6 switches of trim. The buttons vary in size, shape, colour and design, and include round fabric-covered, crocheted or lace covered examples, as well as plain and decorative buttons. The trim swatches consist of assorted lengths and samples of cream and white lace and embroidered textile trim, featuring a variety of openwork and decorative pattern. All buttons and trim are on green card. Manufacturer is Gwenda Booth of West Brunswick Aug. 2002.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Maude Victoria Lord, 1894 – 1994, worked as a blouse cutter for Charles Reid of Prahran, and for Buckley & Nunn, on quality silk blouses with lace inserts and pin-tucks. She married Lesley John Wilson at 24 yrs of age. Charles Reid gave his employees a gold sovereign for each year of service! Maude bought a piano with hers!"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

The item comprises nine round horn buttons, each with four-holes in varying shades of brown and tan. The buttons are arranged in three rows of three and attached on a square commercial card on top of a blue card. The commercial card is printed with dark green ink with the words "PENNY CARD", "GAITER BUTTONS" and "BEST QUALITY", with decorative lines and markings. Manufacturer is unknown. Purchased by Brenda and Bob Johnson purchased in U.K. for Sally Hearn in October 1996 at Wanstead Park Church Fair.

Official Catalogue Entry: "How the silver fish or mites have nibbled the edges. Horn being protein, like tortoise shell, it attracts them"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

The item comprises three round, dark grey brass buttons mounted in a row on a rectangular piece of card. Each button features a raised decorative design on the race and has a raised outer rim. The card contains handwritten annotations and has a rectangle paper label attached beneath the buttons. A small paper bag tied with red thread is attached to the lower button. Manufacturer is unknown. The owner's sister gave the buttons to Salley Hearn.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Doris Kohane nee Ash, 5/4/05 – 7/4/98, born in Newcastle, N.S.W., was a milliner for Normans of Collins St., Melbourne, 1949 – 1960. She went to Paris and was given these by Brendan with the accompanying note “Dori Cherie, Avec tous mes compliments. These little mens are said in Paris to be lucky, Love from Brendan “ Who was Brendan?"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

The item comprises nine cream coloured, flower shaped buttons mounted on a rectangular dark brown chestnut coloured card. Each button featurers raised floral designs comprising of six rounded petals surrounding a smaller central flower motif. The buttons are arranged in four pairs, with a single button positioned below. The buttons vary slightly in size and appearance. Manufacturer is Beust & Bills of South Melbourne.

Official Catalogue Entry: "The white deluxe 3 layered flower buttons were identified as from the first innerspring mattress c.1946 from Beust & Bills of South Melbourne. The others are typical of those used on kapok and horsehair filled mattresses of previous times."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

The item comprises three black moulded buttons, two embroidered crown badges and two fabric patches on a rectangle blue card. The buttons are round and have a raised Australian Commonwealth Coat of Arms design. The two crown shaped badges are machine embroidered in red and gold coloured thread. A rectangular navy fabric patch is embroidered in gold white with the Australian Coat of Arms and the words "A Quality Garment by Commonwealth Government Clothing Factory." A smaller rectangular cream fabric patch below is marked "A.G.C.F. 1975."

Official Catalogue Entry: "Purchased in Victor Harbour and brought to Melbourne and given to me by Colin and Lureen Creek when they came over from S.A. to stay. I gave the jacket (as new) to the local Doncare Op shop."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

The item comprises a collection of assorted buttons, buckles, and dress fasteners mounted on three rectangular cards in red, green and orange. The collection includes circular, square, rectangular, triangular and diamond shaped components in black, green, cream, and pink. Several pieces feature geometric designs, contrasting coloured insets and decorative surface patterns. The buckles vary in form and size and include rectangular, circular, and triangular examples with metal fastening components. The items are constructured from Bakelite and steel and are variously stamped, glued and carved.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Mona’s Swedish father came to Australia to introduce Electrolux. She was born in 1937 and the whole family emigrated, to save father commuting each year! Mother died. In 1946 George Jodell, her father, married Rosalind Hartung. She was an opera singer with the Gilbert and Sullivan Co. At age 31 she developed asthma so she could no longer sing. Her young brother worked in Flinders Lane and encouraged her. She had always made and designed her own gowns. She took a course in commercial cutting and became employed as a dress designer for Partington Modes, Flinders Lane."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

The item comprises ten rectangular casein buttons mounted in a single row on a dark green card.

Official Catalogue Entry: Beryl was a tailoress and dressmaker 1927 – 1930 - C.H.V. Thomas, Collins S., Melbourne 1930 – 1932 - ? Bros, Flinders Lane In the Depression years she worked at Jim Wise, Thornbury, making school and college blazers."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

The item comprises 40 assorted couture buttons mounted on a rectangular cream card.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Acquired over 20 years from numerous sources The Versace ones were given to me by Robert Smith after the closing down of Georges of Collins St."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

The item comprises assorted buttons and button blanks in varying sizes, colours, designs displayed on a cream card.

Official Catalogue Entry: "The extruded format of the 4 white buttons. This is how they are made today."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

The item comprises seven square plastic buttons with rounded corners on yellow card on a larger tangerine coloured card.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Mary worked at Tharrat’s Drapery Northcote1941 – 1971. She bought these buttons for her daughter Norma at Preston Market early 1930’s."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

There are 20 buttons on cream card, each button having a different colour and embossed texture. While mostly in the same shape, a circle, some deviate into non-traditional designs.

Offical Catalogue Entry: "From the family button tin. Elizabeth’s mother in 1922 aged 26 married George Yates and had 5 children. She was “not good with a needle” so a visiting dressmaker called to make the children’s clothes. The grandparents were Elizabeth (1870-1940) and Israel Quick. He was an ice block merchant with a horse and cart, he also was a fruiterer in North Melbourne."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of 5 identical spherical buttons, resembling pearls with a cloudy white interior put onto a navy blue card.

Offical Catalogue Entry: "These buttons belonged to Edwin Thomas Burgess (1881 – 1958) of East Brighton. The Burgess family were market gardeners at Mackay Rd., Brighton. In 1859, 22 family members came to Kilmore from Lynton in Kent, England."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of 10 metallic buttons on navy blue card, each having a brass colouring. Each has significant detailing depicting various creatures and objects.

Offical Catalogue Entry: "Mrs Rawlings had been the wardrobe mistress at the Box Hill Theatre. The buttons were among many given to her by the wardrobe mistress at the newly closed down Tivoli Theatre. So these buttons at one time “performed” at the Tivoli! She told she was “sick of the things” and had sprinkled most of them in the garden around the rose bushes! Each time I drive past that garden my fingers itch to go in and do some weeding!! or hire a metal detector!"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of 8 buttons on brown card, each identical. They consist of kangaroo fur in the middle, with a border of metal coloured to be similar to the rest of the button.

Offical Catalogue Entry: "Jeff offered me some buttons from his stock as a furrier and gave me these as an example of kangaroo skin ones."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of 8 buttons on white card, each black with a painted drummer boy on it.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Marie was a Girl Guide leader in Box Hill; these pristine buttons were in her box."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of a red thread with 17 small white buttons attached on a blue card, then attached to a card with writing on it.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Mrs Deeley brought the buttons to Australia in 1973. Her husband Stan worked for De Havilland Aircraft Co., and he patched the canvas wing of Amy Johnson’s plane when it flipped at Brisbane Airport. They later viewed it on display in U.K. Amy gave the buttons to Win as she never had a child. Win never had one either and gave them to me."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of 16 buttons on blue card, with a base of orange but painted with yellow, green, blue and brown resemble a particular plant or flower, the exact one of which is unknown.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Bought from them at the Kyneton Antique Fair."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of 6 buttons on gold card, each being an identical crown shape, with a green base and golden accents and detailing.

Official Catalogue Entry: "These buttons were made to commemorate the Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary. They came from Shirley’s aunt’s tin of buttons. Shirley read of my charity work for the Disabled Scout Group and rang offering them to me."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of 6 buttons on green card, each being brown with faded golden depictions of two crossed golf clubs and a golf ball.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Peter and George Gibaud were brush makers in Fitzroy, and Jeff and Sybil were “mad golfers”."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of 13 buttons on ochre card, with various different sizes, colours and designs. All the buttons are circular, consisting of dark colours and minor amounts of detailing.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Diana’s husband Robert was a godson of Mavis Warnock whose parents owned Kooyongkoot, Hawthorn and Parkdale houses. She was a friend of Sir Edmund Herring’s daughter, she had wanted to do medicine but wasn’t allowed. Became a Girl Guide leader with Prue Nethercote and enjoyed tennis, golf and Scottish dancing. These came from her button box."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of 12 buttons and a buckle on white card, each object is made out of blue glass, which is also clear. The majority of the buttons have simple detailing, with the other two looking like gemstones. The buckle is in the shape of an elongated octagon.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Brought to Australia from U.K. when Ursula migrated."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of 6 buttons on pink card, with each being made of pearl and coloured a deep purple in an oval shape.

Official Catalogue Entry: "These buttons came from Alf Holdstock’s mother’s button tin. Presumably she had a generous tummy as the bottom button has the dye worn off!! Doris is my husband’s cousin and after visiting us in 1994 she sent these and others to me for the collection."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of 5 buttons on red card, each shaped and painted to resemble a bundle of flowers. With a white base, each buttons contains faded colours of green, pink, yellow and blue.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Nancye wrote a note with them “These are again Hicks Atkinson’s on a plain button thru’ dress (I seem to have lost some) then Mum wanted to put them on a floral dress which I hated – I don’t like floral on floral. They are about 1935-40’. Mum always recycled buttons” Nancye was a noted thimble collector and avid volunteer for Legacy. Her mother Eveline Gainey was a milliner and tailoress at Maloney in Flinders Lane. Her father, a teacher, returned injured from WWI and went on to be M.P. for Elsternwick in Bolte’s Government and started the State Relief when at Abbotsford State School."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of 1 button on a black oval card, having a white ceramic base with a depiction of flowers, making use of green, pink, yellow, blue and purple paint.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Tony swapped this for 2 striped Perspex rings!"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of various buttons attached to their original, commercial, cards which are then attached to a larger cream card. Each commercial card has different designs and materials, ranging from plastic to metal and complex to simple.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Ada gave these to me as a souvenir. Ada “worked on the ANZACS wardrobe making the shirts, pants and dresses”."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of 4 buttons and a satin bow on white card, with buttons depicting a shamrock with the date '1920' on a green background. The bow as well is green, with yellow accessories on the end of each strand.

Official Catalogue Entry: "For many years I displayed these not knowing the significance of them and then one day an elderly lady in the audience said “I know! St Patrick’s Day 1920. Archbishop Mannix paraded through Melbourne. He was flanked by 14 V.C. heroes on grey chargers, they formed a guard of honour. I remember the procession took 1 hour and 40 minutes to pass us by and it was estimated 20,000 people took part"."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of 6 buttons on their original commercial card. Each button is a small plastic piece with a blue flower painted on each, with an amber background.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Mrs Neville bought these buttons on holiday in the Lake District in 1957-58 but never used them. The Brooks designed and made buttons for Prince Charles’ and Princess Anne’s clothing as children."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of a single button on cream card. The button is made out of an American Black Walnut, and retains the original shape and look of such, just cut and shaped in a way to enable it to function as a button.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Sharron, a fellow member of the American Button Society, wrote to say they were coming to Australia, so we hosted them in Melbourne in our home. Sharron brought these buttons, made by Ron, her husband, from the black-walnut tree which was growing in their back yard."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of a seven decorative buttons mounted on a rectangular terracotta-coloured card. Three buttons are cylindrical in form, comprising dark brown leather centres, metal ends and decorative edging. Four buttons are irregularly shaped, metal with textured surface design.

Official Catalogue Entry: "I was attracted to these “monstrosities” because they are so well made and weigh 150 grams!!"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of fourteen round glass buttons mounted on a rectangular brown card. Ten buttons have a tan-coloured ground with a painted pictorial design in white, brown and blue, depicting a small building or house with a landscape. Four buttons are painted blue and feature a moulded or impressed surface design.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Her father Claud Lavender worked at Dimmey’s of Richmond, the haberdashers, from 1920 – 1940. Joan said her father sometimes brought her home pretty buttons when she was a little girl. These were some of those."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of a collection of seven cards of numerous assorted buttons, mounted on rectangular cream-coloured cards. The buttons are mostly round with examples in black, brown, tan, grey, cream, blue, red and metallic finishes. Most used for men's suit buttons, fly and braces buttons - named with Melbourne's tailor and shop brands.

Official Catalogue Entry: ""

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of a boy's black Scottish traditional jacket featuring long sleeves, decorative cuffs, a fitted bodice and two pleated front panels. The jacket is embellished with silver-plated, diamond-shaped buttons featuring decorative central motifs, arranged along the front, cuffs, and lower parts of the jacket.

Official Catalogue Entry: "There was a house fire in Preston. In order to purchase the tin of buttons I had to also clear the contents of two garden sheds. Luckily we had a station wagon which we loaded up with 2 lawn mowers, tools galore and old paint from one shed, and mountains of fabric and clothes and hats and threads and trims from another – In that one I had noticed a garment with Piper’s buttons on it. One box was full of photos and letters etc., sent from Egypt and Palestine during the war. The house had caught fire with Beryl ? in bed ( - she did survive). Her son in the Navy in Sydney was given leave of absence to come to Melbourne to deal with the situation. From all the paperwork I deduced that Beryl had had an older brother Archibald McFarlane and that he had been an “exhibition dancer” as a nine year old. I discovered the programme for the New Year Celebration of the Prahran and District Scottish Society Jan 4th 1926 with A. McFarlane dancing the “Scottish Reel”. This is the jacket he wore. It has been carefully made by recycling a man’s dinner suit – no doubt done by his mother."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of six decorative buttons mounted horizontally on a terracotta coloured card. Each button is covered with sewn on beads and "gems".

Official Catalogue Entry: "Driving through Heathcote, Jan., 2005, these were on a roadside stall raising funds for the Heathcote S.E.S."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of a collection of 24 circular buttons arranged in two horizontal rows of twelve on a rectangular terracotta coloured card.

Official Catalogue Entry: "From the bottom of a huge box of junk one sparkled at me! Then I discovered a second, and a third and so on. Eventually I had to buy them all, but it took quite a while on my hands and knees fishing them all out! I just felt they should be together and don’t they just sparkle with gratitude!"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of a a collection of three circular plastic buttons mounted on a rectangular white card. Two large glossy black buttons feature hand-painted floral designs depicting native flowers from New Zealand. The smaller cream coloured button features a small hand painted brown Kiwi bird.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Before our family holiday in 1991 in New Zealand, I made contact with other button collectors and we then visited them. Loma had commissioned a friend to paint the native national Kowhai flower on 2 black buttons for me. The little national Kiwi bird was a gift from a more recently acquired New Zealand friend Erin Titmus from Auckland. She comes over and stays with us every second year, to attend The Needlework Tool Collectors Association Conference, and brings me button treasures☺"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of a collection of five circular decorative buttons mounted on a rectangular white card. Each button has a dark, glossy surface with an intricate gold spiral motif.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Whilst visiting Grant and Mary to garner information for an assignment for my degree I inquired about his button making. He asked Mary to fetch the box with the remains of his production and told me to take what I wanted. I was overwhelmed but selected one of each design and one complete set, to use as a reference source. I was also given a door knob and some jewellery pieces! How generous, what a lovely experience, and memory."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of seven assorted handmade and improvised buttons mounted on a cream-coloured rectangular backing card, with smaller blue and pink display cards. The buttons vary in size, shape, colour, and material showing different methods of producing or repairing clothing fastening using materials that are readily available.

Official Catalogue Entry: "This conglomeration has been garnered from several button tins over many years. For me they evoke the vision of a bachelor farmer, in the early 1900’s on an isolated farmstead needing a button thus: A. Cut from leather B. Cut from linoleum C. Cut from lead sheeting D. Cut from an old can E. No needle and thread available so wire used to reattach button F. Maybe Mother came to stay or he found a wife!"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of a collection of twelve dark coloured cow horn buttons mounted on a rectangular cream coloured card. The buttons are predominately brown and black in colour and they exhibit both smooth, polished finishes and textured surfaces.

Official Catalogue Entry: "These buttons were harvested on a holiday circumventing Tasmania. I have often romanced that they may have come shore with Rose de Freycinet and the crew of the corvette ‘Uranie’ in 1817, as it charted the east coast, at Napoleon’s command! Horn buttons were certainly common in the early 1800’s."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of a collection of 51 assorted buttons, two beads and five buckles. The objects are mounted on two rectangular display cards, one cream and one grey. The cream card contains 31 buttons and two beads, predominately black, white and translucent in appearance. The buttons vary in size and shape. The grey card contains 20 buttons and five buckles, including dark circular brass buttons made for men's trousers.

Official Catalogue Entry: "In November 1997, a small group of button collectors were invited to “dig” for buttons at “BUTTON HILL” Geelong. Now private property but in 1870 the site of a paper mill. The story goes that 3 ladies were employed to cut the buttons off the garments collected to be turned into rags with which to make the paper of the time. The buttons were disposed of and fell between the blue stone rocks in an old quarry. Time and the elements have affected them all. They show evidence of fire, flood and frost. Only those of brass survived, the other metals have disintegrated. It was a fun day. This harvest was from 4 hours work by 2 people! It was exceedingly difficult balancing on broken rocks at an angle of 45° and picking away. I uncovered a gooey shape at one stage. It turned out to be a hibernating frog! I put him back beneath his rock and avoided stepping on it. Thank you Austin for organizing the trip. The black glass buttons are both mourning and half mourning for a lady’s dress or man’s waistcoat, as are the white ones. The small white ones are for underwear. The flat brass ones are for men’s trousers. The 3 picture buttons for ladies or children. The uniform one is Tasmanian National Shipping Company. The ball ones are for a lady’s dress. The brass buckles etc are from men’s waistcoats and trousers."

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of a collection of eight circular metal buttons and one badge mounted on a rectangular white display card. The buttons are arranged in two vertical columns varying in size. The buttons have a dark metallic finish with areas of gold coloured detailing. The badge is positioned towards the upper portion of the card and features a raised central design and an irregular outline.

Official Catalogue Entry: "Peter Wilkins of Minehead, Somerset (now of Cheltenham, Victoria) was a member of the British Legion, his badge No., being 997522. Peter was with the Royal Navy during WWII as a mariner with H.M.S. Swordfish, his Reg., No., 884409. One family Christmas Day dinner my husband’s cousin Peter and he were talking about their war time experiences and discovered that their two ships had been tied up next to each other in Hong Kong, the Swordfish and the Sam Feug, side by side, in 1945!"

sally hearn, button collections

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.

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.

This item consists of a collection of six buttons mounted on a rectangular grey card, with mauve backing. The buttons are arranged in two horizontal rows of three, and are circular and domed in shape, with smooth, slightly reflective surfaces. The plain black design is characteristic of mourning accessories worn during the Victorian period.

Official Catalogue Entry: "These buttons are full mourning buttons; they came to me from my great grandmother Louisa Blamey of Mevagissey, Cornwall. Granny Blamey ran the local bakehouse and after she had finished baking she allowed the local poor to put their pasties to cook in the remaining heat of the oven. At night she worked as a seamstress by candlelight. She was widowed twice, both husbands were fishermen – pilchards being the mainstay of the village. The first died or was lost at sea, the second dropped from the mast and was killed after they had returned safely to harbour. I remember her, aged 98, sitting up in bed with her lovely smile, so pleased to see me, her first great grandchild and the only girl."

sally hearn, button collections