The earliest buttons in my collection are made by the company called Hammond Turner and Dickinson (HT&D), a partnership between Samuel Hammond (died 1825), John Turner (died 1840) and John Dickinson (died 1822). It is probable that, in around 1796, John Dickinson became the third partner in the already existing company run by Hammond and Turner (H&T). Some sources suggest that the company existed in 1717, but I have been unable to establish where that date came from. I am keen to find the origin of the oft-quoted date of 1717 as well as the actual date H&T started making buttons so, if you know, please tell me...