Page 23 - March 2025

utton
B
March 2025 The NaTioNal ButtonBulleTiN 21
Q: For an award written to “Cl. 10-5.2 Cut & riveted steel
specialized to openwork” does an openwork border qualify?

A: Yes, it should. Page 79 of the Blue Book defines “Pierced/openwork” as
“openings through the body of the button from the front completely through
the back… forming part or all of the face design. The pierced border would be
openwork on part of the face design.

Q: Should we have an “Unlisted” class under Section 17 –
Animals for animals such as sea urchins, etc.?

A: The Animal category is unusual in that the six listed categories cover all the
known types of animal life. So, if you have wolf button, for example, you would put
that under 17-5 Mammals assorted. And “Echinodermata” such as starfish, sea
urchins, etc. are invertebrates and would go under 17-4 Invertebrates assorted.

Q: Are NBS show buttons considered to be “commemorative”
under Section 25 – Usage, Class 25-2?

A: Yes, they are! BUT please note that the Appendix, page 66 states that com-
memorative buttons “must be labeled as to event/person commemorated and
date.” So, if you would like to use that Jasperware-like porcelain windmill that
was one of the NBS show buttons in 2024 as a commemorative button, make
sure you label it “NBS Convention, August 2024”.

Q: The Blue Book doesn’t list any divisions for livery buttons
(nor for Glove, Overall, Shoe or Suspender, Pants buttons)
Can I use a livery button on a Division I tray?

A: The problem with assigning a division to these buttons is that it can be very
difficult to determine their age! However, the Blue Book does state on page 5 that
“When a division is undesignated for a class, Div. IX is assumed.” While Divi-
sion IX might be the starting assumption, that assumption can be challenged if
you know that a particular button is Division I. For example, livery buttons made
by Firmin & Sons, backmarked “St. Martins Lane” would indeed be Division I
since that address is documented as being occupied by the firm prior to 1918
(for example see: https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/pages/button-makers.html). Other
buttons may be more difficult, if not impossible to date and so we assume they
are Division IX.
Please note, however, that china buttons are only Division IX. That is clearly stated
under the heading of Section 3 – China on page 11. So, you could not use a china
button on a Division I or III tray.