City of Hull Tramways / Hull Corporation Tramways
Owner Hull Corporation
Took over 18th October 1896 (Hull Street Tramways [horse])
Operator (lessee) 18th October 1896 (W Nettleton, a local cab proprietor [horse])
First electric route 5th July 1899
Operator Hull Corporation
Last horse service 30th September 1899
Took over 31st January 1900 (Drypool and Marfleet Steam Tramway [horse and steam])
Last steam service 13th January 1901
Closed 30th June 1945
Length 20.48 miles
Gauge 4ft 8½ins
Button description (Pattern 1) The municipal arms (three crowns within a scalloped-top shield), within a raised rim.
Materials known Brass; nickel; chrome (the larger size buttons are all of one-piece, open-backed construction)
Button Line reference [None]
Button description (Pattern 2) Municipal device (flat-topped shield with three crowns of decreasing size – from top to bottom - on a striated background)
Materials known Brass; chrome
Button Line reference [None]
Comments Hull Corporation used a general untitled coat of arms pattern button for all its transport and municipal staff, including tramways (see link). Stylistically, Pattern 2 looks to be the more modern of the two, but I have no firm evidence to support this.
The origin of the three crowns is somewhat obscure, variously said to signify the three kings who played a prominent part in development of the town (Edward I, II and Henry VI), or devotion to the holy trinity, or a symbol of foreign trade, or ... take your pick.
The large brass buttons are of 1-piece construction. The larger nickel buttons exist in 1-piece and 2-piece (open-backed) form.