Featured “Billy Buttons” Brasso advertising figure

I’d like to sympathetically restore this 18” tall chalkware figurine but, despite searching every way I can think of, I’ve had no luck finding a photo of another example of this character. This surprises me, as Brasso metal polish is so well known. Have any of you seen “Billy Buttons” before?

 

Looks to be dressed like a bellhop, or bellboy, to me.

https://www.abebooks.com/Buttons-Cuddly-Cut-Book-Childrens-Press/21402736301/bd

This looks older than that kids book, but the book does have a bellhop character called Billy Buttons, and shiny brass buttons would be important to a bellhop. Maybe it was a generic appellation.

 

Interesting! Thank you.

 

Think 'the boy in buttons'.

Noun. boy in buttons (plural boys in buttons) (historical) A young male servant in livery; a page.

Believe that's who the character 'Billy' in the Sherlock Holmes stories was. He was always being sent to the telegram office, etc. Bellhops are closely related.

 

What does is say on the back of the base?

 

Petrucci Freres / Montreal

 

I love it!
This may help. Some other point of purchase displays. The last one is a Brasso cardboard sign.
https://auctions.leski.com.au/auctions/catalog/id/550

 

Wouldn't mind having that "WILL'S PIRATE SHAG" tobacco advert figure.Aaargh!

 

Super cool figure! Store display, do you think?

There is a Wikipedia page on Brasso which gives some dates that might be of interest. No mention of this figure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brasso

 

Almost definitely a store display. Like a lot of the OGs in here, the mention of Brasso gives me flashbacks. (shudder)

 

Never wanted to hear that word again.

 

Yes, store point of sale display, for sure. And, if the Wikipedia history is correct about Brasso first being sold in 1920, it’s a very early one for this product, as the company that made this chalkware piece ceased to be in 1923.