Page 22 - March 2025

B
utton
20 The NaTioNal ButtonBulleTiN March 2025
Q: Why is there no clear reference to dating the various glass
shanks (specifically cone shanks) in the Blue Book?

A: The short answer is that there are few clear demarcation dates for glass
shanks. Upon reviewing the various shanks found on dated glass sample cards
from the Glass Museum in Jablonec, Czech Republic, it became clear to this
writer that there are few shanks that can be definitively stated to be Division
I or to be Division III. Generally, you need to look at other indicators of age
to determine the division to which the glass button belongs. According to
those factory sample cards, antiquarian shanks and hump shanks were clearly
Division I. However, there were small rosette shank buttons on
sample cards dated post 1918! And of course, 4-way box shanks
and plate and loop shanks were used both before and after
1918. The very pronounced “cone shanks” were Division III,
although - here we start waffling again - there are earlier
buttons with a less pronounced cone type shank (like
some of the Popper buttons with
4-way box shanks which are definite-
ly Division I). So you see, it is very
difficult to provide absolute guidelines
Div . I Popper with
cone shank . for dating glass button shank types.
Div IX cone shank .
Q: Why is there no mention of Division III (post 1918) for
crackle glass and for impression inlays in our Clear and Col-
ored Glass Section (page14)?
A: The Blue Book addresses this at the top of page 5. Basically, the division is
only listed if there are “enough examples available to assemble an entire com-
petition tray.” It does NOT mean that they do not exist in the other, unlisted
division but it does mean that there are not enough for an entire card and so
we don’t list “Division III” for those classes. But you can definitely use those
buttons in their appropriate division! Those modern studio crackle glass and
impression inlays can certainly be on your Division IX (where age does not
matter) or Division III (post 1918) trays.

Q: Is a bow a fashion accessory (Class 18-6) or under Unlisted
(Class 18-12)?

A: Yes. Well, okay, it depends. If the button portrays just a bow on its own, it
could perhaps be intended for a gift wrapping, for example. But some bow
buttons display a bow on clothing or a hat and then you could indeed call it a
fashion accessory! Depending on the context of the bow on the button, it could
be either. If the context isn’t clear, it is better to place it under the “unlisted” class.