The purpose of these pages is to provide visual examples for
Other Material buttons as defined in Section 15 in the NBS Classification
Guide1 (Blue Book). Each
example is labeled in accordance with the Blue Book section 15 outline.
Passing your mouse over the button image will turn the button over so the
back may be seen. In some cases, more than one example of a type is shown.
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 collector, club member or a dealer to show
you an actual example of the button in question. A Section 15 Other
Materials worksheet has
been provided and can be downloaded or printed by clicking the link at the
bottom of this page.
| Hover your mouse over the button images below to see the back of the button | |||
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15-1 Bone Assorted (including antler) - Materials combined due to similarity of natural materials. Includes Repoussè bonebacks |
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 15-1 Bone (18th Century dug) See Reference 3 |
 15-1 Colonial Transition Pin Shank |
 15-1 Bone - 4 hole |
 15-1 Bone - Repoussè (18th Century) |
 15-1 Antler |
 15-1.1 Decorative Finish |
 15-1.1 Decorative Finish |
 15-1.2 Mounted in/on Metal 18th Century with gemstone OME |
 15-1.3 OME - Horn with Shell Veneer |
 15-1.3 OME with Shell Inset |
 15-1.4 Working Methods - Engraved |
 15-1.4.1 Working Methods - Carved |
 15-1.4.1 Working Methods Carved |
 15-1.4.1 Working Methods Carved |
 15-1.4.1 Working Methods Turned/Lathed |
 15-1.4.2 Working Methods Pierced (Antler) |
15-2 Composition - Molded buttons composed of a mixture of undetermined substances including a binder (most often shellac). |
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 15-2 Molded Plain - Patent Back mark Click here to see patent |
 15-2 - Molded - Pictorial |
 15-2 Molded - Pictorial |
 15-2 Molded - Pictorial Back mark - "Manton's Patent" |
 15-2 Molded - Bridge Shank |
 15-2 Molded - Realistic |
 15-2 Metallic and colored spots |
 15-2 Colored, metallic and pearl pieces |
 15-2 Colored Spots |
 15-2 Other Finish - Paint DF |
 15-2.1 OME - Silver Inlay |
 15-2.1 OME - Brass, Paste, and Metal Rim |
15-3 Ivory Assorted - Includes all types of animal ivory (Elephant, Walrus, other) |
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 15-3 Ivory - Chrysanthemum |
 15-3 Ivory - Walrus - Scrimshaw Engraved and dyed |
 15-3-1 Ivory - Decorative Finish - Ink/Dye |
 15-3.1 Ivory - Decorative Finish - Paint |
 15-3.2 Ivory - Mounted in Metal 18th Century |
 15-3.2 Ivory - Mounted in Metal |
 15-3.3 Ivory - OME - Shibayama |
 15-3.4 Ivory - Working Methods - Pierced |
 15-3.4.1 Ivory - Working Methods Turned/Lathed and OME |
 15-3.4.1 Ivory - Working Methods - Carved Curved needle self shank |
 15-3.4.1 Ivory - Working Methods - Carved |
 15-3.4-2 Ivory - Working Methods - Engraved Scrimshaw |
15-4 Rubber - Div I and III - Diminutive size, often unmarked, are acceptable here. |
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 15-4 Rubber - Diminutive - Unmarked |
 15-4 Rubber - Modern (no back mark) |
 15-4.1 Rubber - Modern Back mark "Dalmite" |
 15-4.1 Rubber - 4-hole sew-through I.R.C.Co-Goodyear - 1851 |
 15-4.1 Rubber - 2 hole sew-through N.R.Co. - Goodyear's - P=T - 1851 |
 15-4.1 Rubber - Metal loop shank I.R.C.Co - Goodyear-1851 |
 15-4.1 Rubber - Self Shank I.R.C.Co - Goodyear - 1851 |
 15-4.1 Rubber - Whistle I.R.C.Co - Goodyear - 1851 |
 15-4.1 Rubber - Pad back N.R.Co. - Goodyear's - P=T - 1851 |
 15-4.1 Rubber - Back marked N.R.Co. - Goodyear's - P=T - 1851 |
 15-4.1 Rubber - Back marked N.R.Co. - Goodyear's - P=T - (No date) |
 15-4.1 Rubber - Back marked - Faceted N.R.Co. - Goodyear's - P=T - 1851 |
 15-4.1 Rubber - Back marked N.R.Co. - Goodyear's - P=T - 1851 |
 15-4.1 Rubber - Back marked - Brown N.R.Co. - Goodyear's - P=T - 1851 |
 15-4.1 Rubber - Back marked - Brown N.R.Co. - Goodyear's - P=T - 1851 |
 15-4.1 Rubber - Back marked - Brown N.R.Co. - Goodyear's - P=T (no date) |
 15-4.1 Rubber - Back marked N.R.Co. - Goodyear's - P=T - 1851 |
 15-4.1 Rubber - Two patent dates Novelty Rubber Co. Goodyear's Patent 1849-1851 New York |
 15-4.1 Rubber - OME - Rimmed - Brown N.R.Co. - Goodyear's - P=T - 1851 |
 15-4.1 Rubber - OME - MOP Inlay N.R.Co. - Goodyear's - P=T - (No date) |
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Acknowledgments: Thanks to Lou Yeargain, Barbara Barrans, Pat Koehler and Nikki Deal who assisted in the development of this educational resource. They 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) National Button Society Blue Book - Official NBS Classification and Competition Guidelines (2) Hughes, Elizabeth and Marion Lester. The Big Book of Buttons. St Johann Press - 2010 (3) Warren K. Tice - Dating Buttons, A Chronology of Button Types, Makers, Retailers & Their Backmarks, 2003 |
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