Page 34 - November-December1965

280 NAfiONAL BIITTON BI'LLETIN Nov.-Dec., 1965
tl8ve chosen as trrst. (Don't forget ttra,t every button in Sections 16 and 20 must
be ident'ifled as to Section and Class). Here I am trying to point out the
importance of the choice of matcriaJs aJrd subjects. Section 21 ca,rr also be used
here to good advantage. This may sound quite easy, but it takes a great deal of
comparing and adjusting to complete a card to the best advantagB' Bo sure to
study and follow tJre rules on pa,ge 72 of the March Buletin undex Paragraph
"section 20"; and also the limitations given in the various Classes in Soctions
16 and 20. TYy not to duplicate m-aterial or subject ms,tter.
In discussing S€ctions 21 and 22 wibh Evie Leahy, and the use of the5in the
-$1ten
Summary, as Soc. 20 states 'Sec. 1 ttlru 19" in the rul,es of limitatioDs in
ttre Glossary, we a€ree that a collector likes to know that a button can be used
fulr several places or classes. If applic.able, and its use is allowed for Sections 21
sr::d.22 in setting up Sec. 20, then an extra spot has been found for that but0an.
Another thing we discussed was ttle use of Sec. 21. This needs clearirg up
as to whether an 18th Century button be used in the material soction only,
not for subject, or vice versa. I feel that bottt subject matter and meLerial should
be p€rmitt€d. why not? I also feel that the Swnmary Section should be placed
at the end of Div. f.
Bear in mind that in the award if it isn't excluded it is included. Don't try to
deceive the judges or make it difiicult for them. If a button is questiona.ble as to
age or makeup of parts not intended for buttons, or is not a good choice for tlle
plarce you want to use it, T.r:AVE IT OFF. If you question, so will tJ:e iudges.
Use only bona flde buttons so as not to confuse the judges. Their task is difiicult
enowh as it is, and it is a tha,nkless job at best. They must, at their own
expense, arrive two or three days earlier thar those just attending the meeting,
and must spend many tiresome hours checking and judging, so please be patient
nrittr their decisions. Again we suggest that before you submit cards for com-
petibion, that you check size and numb€r. A mistake in either has eliminated
ma.ny good entries made by seasoned collectors.
I have been asked why, as a dealer, I have returned to the iudging ranks.
Dealers have been apcused of showing favoritism in judging recoenizable trays,
but I assure you that ihe very accusers have in many instances downgaaded a
familiar exhibitor's tray, have meddled in making decisions vr/hen their own
trays trave beel judged, and have gone so far as to judge their own trays making
tJre awards in their own favor. I don't say this idly as I have knowrr of three
rank and unJair decisions in order to gef the blue ribbon avsard for thernselves.
In my personal experience in judging, many of the trays awaiting the decision
for a blue ribbon have contained buttons I have sold and each exhibitor wa"s not
only a customer of mine but a good friend as well. What ulterior motive would
I or any other dealer have in showing partiality? That is why I now have no
compunctions about assiisting in the judging.
Pr.r:ASE ALWAYS give the exhibitor the beneflt of the doubt. I flnd a little
knowledge is a dang:erorx thing in judging buttons. Don't say "I BELIEVE IT
LOOKS NEW,,oT,.MADE-UP,, oT ..SO AND SO SAYS THIS OR, THAT,,, ANd
on and on IINLESS TTIE JUDGE KNOWS. Be generous in your judgment, a,nd
do not disqualify a Fy or a button unless you have ennsulted with other judges
or those in authority.
Now let us set up a tray for Sec. 5, Cl. 112 Enameled Design, tr'lora"l, witJr
roses as part of the design. This irs fhe Secilon of Ena.mels, so look for as many
difierent types of enamel as you can flnd with roses then select the roses from
each type of enamel. Select the most natural looking ones. ff you will study and
tear apart the wording of a prize you will not flnd it difiicult. We recently gave a
prize for both California and National for "Multiple Birds" There was great
discussion at the CaliJornia Show, a.s sorne exhibitors refused to accept the fact
that two is a multiple of one, and so used only bird designs with no less than
ttree birds on each button.
In the Pictorisl Sections, 12 thru 15, assorted materials are alweys assumed
unless otherwise designated. Here the subject matter is most important, rare pic-
tures being the up-grading feature.