Tidy Pins Or Dress Elevators

The tidy pin with its sprial shank was often mistaken for the dress elevator a device which adorned the dresses of Victorian ladies. The dress elevator was made from precious stones, paste etc wheras the tidy pin was made from cheap plastic (see image below)

I have seen these in among tins of buttons but until i read the article below i thought they were dress elevators. http://www.buttoncountry.com/Dress Elevator Article.htm

Below are 2 examples of pins which were used to fix chairback covers, both are available to buy at  henriettas-buttons-and-patterns

http://uk.ebid.net/for-sale/lot-of-vintage-tidy-pins-with-clear-plastic-tops-spiral-shanks-60879429.htm

http://uk.ebid.net/for-sale/vintage-card-of-goodmans-loose-cover-pins-made-in-england-60879254.htm