These pages illustrate visual examples of back types
including shanks and other means of attachment. Each example represents one
of the back types listed in the glossary which can be accessed with link just
below this paragraph. The glossary was compiled from a review of all the
references listed at the bottom of this page. Except for the "Other Back
Types" section on page 3, all the examples are based on the Blue
Book including relevant invoked references (1995 National Button Bulletin,
1967 Classification of Black Glass Buttons, 2003 Pearl and Shell Buttons
Classification, 2002 Classification of Clear and Colored Glass Buttons, 2005
Celluloid Buttons, and the NBS Synthetic Polymers Handbook (undated). Except
for the Pig Tail Shank and the Thread Shank, all back types shown below are
identified in the Blue Book and/or the May 1995 National Button Bulletin. The examples
are grouped into the categories of (1) ceramic and china,
(2) black and clear and colored glass, (3) metal and glass mounted in metal,
(4) fabric, (5) other materials, (6) synthetic polymers, and (7) back types
not specifically defined. To avoid excessive duplication, all possible back
types are not shown for each material section. The red numbers in parenthesis
identify the specific glossary definition being illustrated. See the
glossary table for more information. Printable
Back Types worksheets (with and without images) can be accessed with links at the
bottom of this page.
| Hover your mouse over the button images below to see the front of the button | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Back types for Ceramic and China Buttons |
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 Applied (4) Porcelain |
 Dresden (18) Porcelain (Meissen) |
 Hollow back (24) Porcelain |
 Hollow back (24) Porcelain |
 Inserted (26) China Whistle - Sew-through |
 Inserted (26) (5) China Bird cage |
 Pin shank (35) |
 Pin shank (35) Norwalk |
 Plate and Loop (37) (29) Gaiter bulls' eye |
 Self (42) Satsuma - older style |
 Self (42) Satsuma - newer style |
 Self (42) Arita - Back mark |
 Sew-through - 2 hole (43) Glazed Ceramic |
 Sew-through - 3 hole (43) China |
 Sew-through - 2 hole (43) (53) Igloo-Blue Book describes as tunnel |
 Undefined Arita Mechanically applied |
Back types for Glass Buttons |
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 Antiquarian (3) (46) Actually a Staple per 95 NBB - Glass displaced by staple shank makes it an antiquarian back type |
 Applied (4) 2 piece mirror |
 Box (2-way) (6) |
 Box (4-way) (6) (21) (with thread groove) |
 Bridge (8) |
 Claw (13) Four petals |
 Claw (13) Five petals |
 Cone (15) |
 Cone (15) Bimini metal back with back mark |
 Double (17) Black Glass Screen embedded in glass |
 Hollow (24) (13) Claw - sometimes called Birdcage |
 Hollow (24) Black Glass - Small plate |
 Hollow (24) Black Glass Large plate & back mark |
 Hump (25) Victorian Glass |
 Hump (25) (13) 2 piece mirror - also claw shank |
 Hump (25) |
 Hump (25) (13) Black Glass - 2-way - Claw |
 Key shank (28) (38) 95 NBB also defines this as "Popper" |
 Key Shank (28) (38) Shown Exposed on broken button |
 Key shank (28) (38) 95 NBB also defines this as "Popper" |
 Loop (29) Screen back |
 Pig tail (34) Defined in C&CG Handbook |
 Pin shank (35) Paste escutcheon |
 Pin shank (35) Brass escutcheon |
 Plate and Loop (37) (29) |
 Plate and Loop (37) (29) Elongated - Waistcoat |
 Plate and Loop (37) (29) |
 Plate and Loop (37) (29) Watch Crystal - Blue Book 7-6.7 Plate hidden by black adhesive |
 Rosette (41) With hump shank |
 Rosette (41) With metal loop shank |
 Self (42) Blown |
 Self (42) Cone shape |
 Self (42) Black Glass - Wedge Shape |
 Self Shank (42) Black Glass with thread grooves |
 Sew-through (43) (56) Whistle |
 Sew-through - 2 hole (43) Metal back - back mark |
 Sew-through - 4 hole (43) |
 Staple (46) (57) Same as wire shank |
 Swirlback (49) |
 Thread Back (50) With metal rim |
 Thread Shank (50) Sewn resembling 18th Cent. cord |
 Tunnel (53) Hole passes through the body No special projections |
 Wire (57) 2-piece molded |
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Acknowledgments:
Thanks to Lou Yeargain, Barbara Barrans, Gwen Niemisto, Gloria Badger, Pat Koehler, Kevin Kinne, and Judy Stopke who assisted in the development of this educational resource. These collaborators provided reviews, comments or other support including images or buttons for the examples shown. Potential labeling issues or suggested improvements should be directed to the Button Country team at Contact Us. References: (1) Worksheet compiled by Jeanne H. Talbert - date unknown (2) Dorothy Foster Brown - Button Parade (pages 264 - 267) - 1968, Lightner Publishing Corporation (3) Ruth Watson – Just Buttons (pages 589-597) - July, 1972. (4) National Button Society Blue Book - Official NBS Classification and Competition Guidelines (5) Button Basics - Jane Ford Adams - National Button Bulletin, May 1995 (Reprint of 1959 Adams article) (6) A Complete Classification - Clear and Colored Glass Buttons, Jane Ford Adams - National Button Society (7) Warren K. Tice - Dating Buttons, 2003, Warren K. Tice, Publisher (8) Guidelines for Collecting China Buttons - National Button Society - 1994 (9) Classification of Black Glass Button - National Button Society - 1967 (10) Its All About Celluloid Buttons - Monica Walker (11) National Button Society Section 9-A Synthetic Polymers Handbook (Howells, MacFarlane, Deal, Smith) - No Date (12) Sally C. Luscomb - The Collector's Encyclopedia of Buttons, 6th edition - 2006, Schiffer Publishing Ltd. | |||