Clear/Colored Glass

Note to the viewer: The purpose of these pages is to provide visual examples for all the types of buttons described in Section 7 of the Blue Book¹. Each example is labeled in accordance with the Blue Book Section 7 outline. Passing your mouse over the button image will turn the button over so both sides may be seen. In some cases, more than one example of a type is shown. One reason for duplication is to demonstrate that one glass button frequently fits into multiple class/subclass categories. No attempt is made to show all combinations of basic colors and other characteristics (DF, OME, Construction, etc.) since there are thousands of such combinations. A separate "color primer" page is included to help the novice better understand basic colors for competition and includes a printable worksheet. Finally, scanning or photographing buttons has distinct limitations in the areas of perspective, color, details, and dimensions. Thus, many buttons do not reveal their true character and appearance in the photos or scans. When uncertainty exists, ask a fellow club member or a dealer to show you an actual example of the button in question.

Hover mouse over any button to see the back


7-1 Back Types - Click button at right to see a comprehensive glossary and examples of back types.
7-1 Antiquarian	7-1 Applied (Glass shank)	7-1 Thread back	7-1 Screenback
7-1 Claw	7-1 Cone	7-1 Hump (Victorian Glass)	7-1 Key
7-1 Loop	7-1 Pigtail (Swirlback)	7-1 Pin	7-1 Plate and Loop
7-1 Self - Tunnel	7-1 Wire	7-1.1 Four-way Metal (Box)	7-1.1 Four-way Metal (Box) Thread groove
7-1.2 Rosette	7-1.3 Sew-through (2-hole)	7-1.3 Sew-through (4-hole)	7-1.4 Swirlback
7-2 Clear Colorless - (Body of button is clear/transparent and colorless)
7-2 Clear Colorless (CC) - Shiny	7-2 CC - Matte (Paint DF)	7-2 CC - Matte (Paint DF)	7-2 CC - Matte/Shiny Combo
7-2 CC - Glass with Glass	7-2 CC - Metallic back	7-2 CC - Overlay	7-2 CC - Silver Luster
7-2 CC - Metal back - (Kaleidoscope)	7-2 CC - Metal back	7-2 CC - Precision inlay & Purple overlay	7-2 CC - Radiant
7-2 CC - Metallic luster	7-2 CC - Paint DF	7-2 CC - Paint DF	7-2 CC - Two piece - Paint DF
7-3 Colors Assorted - Classed according to base color including goldstone
To assist the novice collector in understanding the Blue Book treatment of "colors assorted", a simple primer has been prepared that demonstrates the nine basic colors for competition including the concept of shades and tints. Click on the button to the right to access the primer and a simple printable worksheet to assist the novice in learning more about colors, shades, and tints.
7-3 Colors - Shiny	7-3 Colors - Matte	7-3 Colors - Matte/Shiny Combo	7-3.1 Opaque - Goldstone
7-3.1 Opaque	7-3.1 Opaque - Paint	7-3.1 Opaque -Gold Luster	7-3.1 Opaque - Gold Luster
7-3.1 Opaque - Red Metallic Luster Back mark "BGE Orig."	7-3.1 Opaque - Silver Luster	7-3.1 Translucent Imitation Tortoise	7-3.1 Translucent (Overlay)
7-3.1 Translucent - Silver luster	7-3.2 Transparent - Acid etched	7-3.2 Transparent	7-3.2 Transparent - Acid etched/frosted
7-3.2 Transparent (Radiant)	7-3.2 Transparent (Metal back) Back mark "Made in England"	7-3.2 Transparent - Painted back	7-3.3 White (Clambroth/camphor)
7-3.3 White (Cream)	7-3.3 White (Ivory)	7-3.3 White (Milk) - BM "le Chic"	7-3.3 White (Opalescent)

Acknowledgments Thanks to Lou Yeargain, Barbara Barrans, Becky Lyon, Phyllis Paule, June Chapman, Joni Goldbarg, and Yessy Byl who assisted in the development of this educational resource. They provided reviews, comments or other support including images or buttons for the examples shown. Special thanks to these collaborators for their patience in the difficult task of educating the author who takes full responsibility for any errors in this resource. Potential labeling issues or suggested improvements should be directed to the author at price6@comcast.net. References (1) National Button Society Blue Book - Official NBS Classification and Competition Guidelines - 2011-2012 (2) Clear and Colored Glass Buttons, Jane Ford Adams, Third Revision by Jean Longo - National Button Society, 2002