Page 23 - May1997

May 1997 NATIONAIL BUTTON BUn n ETIN 89

,AntiguP eni @sIIBfilhIe pultrnx
168 pages
8-l12" x 11" Hardback
Shortly before we left for the Arizona Show, we received a copy of a new
book on the market-htique and Collectible Buttons by Debra Wisniewski. I
quickly read the book and was delighted to find that the information therein was
accurate and well researched. The pictures were good and show buttons, with
which we are all familiar. When I got to the show, I found that one of the members
had ordered books for several other members and she was distributing them there.
I sat back and listened as they browsed through their books for the first time. The
overwhelming remark heard was "At last, a book that I can relate to with the
buttons in my collection.." This is perhaps the best endorsement a book can have.
The only waming I might have is to realize that button prices are regional and
something that might be common in Michigan might be hard to frnd in Florida and
vice versa. To me, giving prices on buttons is dangerous and usually out ofdate by
the time the book is printed. Collectors must realize that prices quoted should be
used only as a guide. The book is moderately priced ($ 19.95 plus $2 postage) and
is worthy of a place in everyone's button library.

Buttons & Sundries
143 pages
Hardback 8-112" x ll"
Publisher: Zenfil Editorr
Buttons & Sundries by Vittoria de Buzzaccarini and Isabella Zotti Minici is
actually a part of a 72 volume series entitled "The Twentieth Century-Histories of
Fashion". The book was originally published in 1990 in Italian and has now been
translated into English.
The book covers a briefhistorical background ofbuttons from the l5th
century to the 20th century and a detailed description offashions ofthe 20th
century, including the "Reflowering of Fashion" in the 50's and 60's and ends
with "Towards the New Millennium".
The book is well researched and many buttons are pictured in excellent color.
Although most translations lose something in the translation, the book as a whole
is easily understood.
Shown are many fashions created in Italy and Paris which are fairly "far out"
for most of us, but in reality, these are the styles which feature the buttons that will
be most collectible.
Although this book, in my opinion, is not a "must" for button libraries, for
those of us interested in fashion, the book will provide many hours of
entertainment. (Book courtesy of Marion & Ed Hurley).
-Jean Speights