Some people collect stamps or coins, others collect rare books or antique watches. But one of the most dedicated collectors we know collects western style belt buckles. His name is John Layton and he is a retired building contractor who has a collection of over 500 belt buckles.
When he began collecting, about 25 years ago, he used to wear each of his buckles daily. But today, he has so many belt buckles that he used his experience as a builder to make belt buckle display cases that line the den and living room of his home.
“When I began I had no special interest in belt buckles,” Layton said. “I became a belt buckle collector entirely by accident.” His belt buckle hobby began when he was looking for a low cost way to promote his contracting business. It was in the 1980s and Layton was working in the Soho section of Manhattan. It was a time of great change and many of the old industrial buildings were being renovated into residential living space.
There was a lot of work going on but there was also plenty of competition. Layton was thinking about a unique way that he could promote his contracting service. At the time, Soho was full of craftspeople who set up booths on the street to sell their wares. One such vendor was a metal worker who made western style belt buckles. A lightbulb went off in Layton’s head. He made a deal with the vendor to make him 25 western style belt buckles with the name LAYTON stamped in metal. Then he wrote a short letter to his prospect list informing them that he had a special gift for them that he would like to drop off in person. He gave away 5 or 6 and then the word got around the local real estate community and soon John’s phone was ringing off the hook with potential customers looking for their belt buckle.
“It was a great promotion and I did very by giving away those belt buckles. But I didn’t find out until much latter that a farm equipment company, named Hesston, did this years ago. I also found out that this company was responsible for the thousands of people who collect belt buckles. In fact, if you go out to the mid-west there are actually clubs and associations devoted to belt buckle collecting.”
Layton doesn’t belong to any clubs, but once he developed his interest in buckles he started noticing them wherever he went. New York City has a large number of weekly flea markets and church sales. Layton began by buying a few western style buckles and then a few more. Then he noticed something else.
“Even though the tradition of these buckles is western or rural, the fashion people got hold of the idea and now the manufacturers and the artists are making belt buckles on virtually any topic. I got started with the idea of having 7 belt buckles, one for each day of the week. But I achieved that so quickly that I changed my strategy. I decided to buy belt buckles to suit my mood. I bought rock and roll belt buckles and biker belt buckles and a belt buckle to match my car and my favorite band. There are no limits. If you are looking for a belt buckle with a diamond or a cockroach. You can find it. In fact, I probably have it already.”
John Layton has recently retired and he admits that his passion for belt buckles is proving to a relaxing and fun way to spend his days.