Antique Goodyear Hard Rubber Wasp Button N.R. Co. 1851 Patent 19th Century

Goodyear's / Novelty Rubber Co.
Hard Rubber Wasp Button
Victorian, Mid to Late 19th Century

This antique button is crafted from hard rubber, featuring a detailed relief of a wasp or hornet. The insect is set against a finely textured, vertically ribbed background. Produced by the Novelty Rubber Company (N.R. Co.) under Nelson Goodyear's 1851 patent for vulcanized rubber, this piece represents a significant era in industrial materials and Victorian fashion accessories.

• Vulcanized hard rubber construction (gutta-percha style)
• Reverse marked "GOODYEAR'S P=T. 1851 N.R. CO."
• Two-hole sew-through design with raised rim
• Approximate diameter: 0.9 inches (as shown with ruler)

Condition: Good antique condition. The relief remains crisp with well-defined detail on the insect's body and wings. The hard rubber material is stable with no visible cracks, chips, or warping. The reverse shows expected surface age and minor oxidation typical of 19th-century rubber items.