Doc’s Knickerbocker Uniform Buttons
Two uniform buttons from Doc Adams’ Knickerbocker Base Ball Club (ca. 1855). These buttons currently reside in a private collection. They are likely the oldest known surviving piece of baseball uniform with provenance.
These are also locked up in a bank vault. We have two buttons that belonged to Doc that are embossed with KBBC on them that they’re a little bit larger than a quarter and they’re studs. They are not regular sew-on buttons. And I showed very detailed pictures of them to Jim Gates at the Hall of Fame at the Library. He’s one of the head researchers there. Awfully nice man. He and I talked about the buttons. He said they were probably ceremonial, for special occasions, and he said they’re similar to the sort of stud buttons that would go into a collar of a band uniform or a military uniform.
“My Baseball History – Episode 202“, Marjorie Adams
I remember you and the now late Marjorie Adams bringing those buttons to the Baseball Hall of Fame when she did her presentation on Doc Adams. Fond memories. FYI, this coming April’s Frederick Ivor-Campbell 19th Century Base Ball Conference will feature an 19cBB Artifact Session. Peter Mancuso
That presentation was remarkable as she took on the role of her great-grandfather. I only regret that there is no video of the event. You just put a smile on my face. Hope to be able to attend in April.