[Druid] That mystery druid/masonic button cover

[helwen]

I've been meaning to post this for the folks who are trying to figure out the origin of the mystery druid and/or masonic button cover/tie tack/mystery thing.

This is a picture of the back of the item, which may or may not provide a clue.



Original post about the pin here. There's a link to a picture of the pin in the comments in this post.

Comments

[hugh-mannity.livejournal.com]

The back of it reminds me of similar items that were in my grandmothers tin of oddments.

The badge, which is the closest term I can think of for it, is supposed to be worn in the buttonhole on the lapel of a gentleman's suit jacket.

What the Order of Druids is, I have no idea. But a member of the Order would wear this badge in his buttonhole to discretely identify him.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I wondered if it might be a lapel type thing and even tried it out on a buttonhole and it worked quite well. But never having seen anything quite like it before...

In the old days there were some druid orders that were sort of masonic and/or mystical in nature and some that were more like friendly societies -- either to help out members with burial insurance, unemployment, etc. or as general charities. In the 19th century there were scads of druidical orders, so it's possible this mystery may not get solved.

Thx!

[hugh-mannity.livejournal.com]

Yep. Chances are it's one of those and exactly which one you might never find out. It's a nice badge though.

[oakmouse]

Interesting. It's one of the standard lapel pin backs, but it doesn't in and of itself provide a clue. Is there any writing on the back of the pin? A maker's mark or anything?

We may never find out where this comes from. JM said that everyone he's asked about it has turned up blank.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

No, no writing or mark. Looks like this one's going to remain a mystery. The only thing I'm reasonably sure of, from seeing some examples, is that it isn't related to KKK. Which is a good thing. One of the reasons I like it, aside from the oak leaves, acorns, and the Henge, is the upside down triangle -- perfect for a water sign ;)

The star is curious because it's 6-pointed and most stuff I've found has been on 7 points. But that could just be a reference to Star of David/variation on Solomon's Seal. And then there's the mystery of the 7 red circles/orbs... ah well. What's life without a little mystery?

[oakmouse]

Yeah, definitely no sign of KKK connection.

Mysteries can be fun. *g* I can just imagine what somebody stumbling across Grange regalia in an antique shop might end up thinking. "Why does this aluminum staff have a big flat letter Y at the top? And that one has an owl. WEIRD!"