ID on Steamship Button for University Study

[Dadsnorz]

A USF Graduate Student has undertaken a study of Pine Level, Florida. This was the original county seat of both Manatee and Desoto Counties, from 1866 to 1888. They do a remarkable job of documenting, mapping and studying all finds. She could really use some help on this button. It measures about 1.4 centimeters. It has a steamship on the front and some elaborate lines on the back. Please help if you can...This can really assist in dating and painting a better picture of the history of this forgotten town. Thanks!

 

[edjcox]

Kinda reminds me of Japanese .....
'
Perhaps the Kanko Maru?



Perhaps an old Mariners coat button from early Japanese paddle wheeler Warship

 

[1859large]

The back side spells ATOHE if you invert it. Albeit in a very odd font. The A being a triangle, the t a +, the O a square and the H running into an E.

Now what does that mean?

A paddle wheel ship is an early steamship or steam auxiliary. 3 masts suggest they did not expect to steam as much as sail.

That is all I can see,

good luck.

1859

 

[fyrffytr1]

I googled atohe, Atohe and steamship Atohe. They brought back results pertaining to steamship operations from the late 1870's to the early 1900's. However I could not find the exact word in any text I read. Most dealt with an Australian steamship line, the best I could figure out.

 

[Dadsnorz]

Thank you very much! I will pass along these clues to the graduate student. Half of the the fun of this hobby is piecing together history from small clues. Thanks again! Any more bits of
information are appreciated.