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Smack Dab In The Middle: Design Trends Of The Mid-20th Century CALENDARS

By Donald-Brian Johnson

OK, gang. Today’s topic: buttons!

Not push buttons. Not campaign buttons. Not even Bachelor Buttons.

Nope. We’re talking honestto-goodness button buttons. The kind without which your shirt would be flapping open and your overcoat blowing in the wind.

Those kind of buttons have been with us since ancient times. Buttons have been dug up on archeological expeditions in Egypt and Greece. Sculptures and coins dating back to the eighth century depict personages tidily buttoned up at neck and sleeve. Paintings from the Renaissance onward show their subjects in garments fashionably festooned with buttons.

Once a button served its utilitarian purpose, it was artistry’s turn. Over the centuries, a parade of possibilities has captivated button-makers and button-wearers. Among the many media employed in button creation: silver, steel, copper, brass, pewter, ivory, horn, wood, porcelain, china, ceramic, glass, carved pearl, shell, cloth, leather, and such 20th-century latecomers as celluloid, Bakelite, plastic, Lucite, and rubber. Some buttons were studded with, or formed from, real or rhinestone gems. Others featured enameled designs or reverse paintings. Sometimes the button illustrations were embroidered or done on paper, ivory, or silk, then captured under glass. Until the dawn the Industrial Age, buttons were handmade, fragile, and costly.

In the 1700s, buttons were a man’s game. Anything that could be buttoned was. There were decorative buttons of all sizes on waistcoats, cloaks, sleeves, and pockets. By the mid-1800s though, men’s clothing had become less flamboyant, and ladies ruled button fashion. Thanks to mass manufacturing, extravagantly styled buttons came within reach of almost every pocketbook.

Particularly popular were “picture” buttons, many of stamped metal, celebrating a wide variety of subjects. Among them: children, animals, birds, insects, angels, flowers, sporting activities, and characters from favorite stories and fables. Fashion trends of the time were often dictated by the doings of the famous. After Queen Victoria’s husband died in 1861, her entire wardrobe, including buttons, was transformed overnight to unrelieved black. Victorian fashionistas quickly embraced that idea, and “Jet” buttons, originally fabricated from fossilized driftwood, but later from less expensive black glass, became the rage.

With the 20th century introduction of plastics, buttons could be created in almost any shape, and were. Why settle for a button with just a painting of a horse on it? If you loved horses, the winning ticket was a button which re-created a horse in full gallop.

For the beginning “buttoneer,” the question is: where to start? For some collectors, the passion begins with a search for buttons just like the ones that populated Grandma’s sewing basket. For others, it’s a theme. You like dogs, and you like buttons. What you’re on the hunt for is an easy choice. Some folks are into the material used: if you adore Bakelite, but your jewelry box is already stuffed with Bakelite bracelets, the next step might be Bakelite buttons.

Haddon Heights Antiques Center 80 Dealer Co-Op Clements Bridge Rd. & E. Atlantic Ave. Haddon Heights, New Jersey www.haddonheightsantiques.com (856) 546-0555 OPEN 7 DAYS - 10 AM TO 5 PM

printout of a card from www.govwolf.org or a stamp from the Chestnut Street Show). Parking is free of charge. The Governor Wolf Historical Society is located at 6600 Jacksonville Road, Bath, Pa. The town of Bath is just north of Allentown and Bethlehem.

For additional information, email ckbh@ptd.net or call 610-390-0555.

The seventh annual Chestnut Street Antiques Show will be held one day only on Saturday, March 5, with a total of almost 35 antiques dealers. Kicking off the spring season of antiques shows, these two shows are just a mile and a half apart. The Chestnut Street Antiques Show is held in Christ Church of Bath UCC at 109 S. Grist Mill Antiques Center Chestnut St., Bath, Pa. PEMBERTON, NJ 08068 Limited Space Available

DAYS of OLDE ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES Visit our NEW 21,000 Sq. Ft. Facility BIGGER & BETTER! NOW OPEN! R059727 Antique and art dealers of fine European and American furniture, art, bronzes, statuary, porcelain, glass, china, silver, primitives, jewelry, clocks, decorative items, linens, collectibles, and much more! 46 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey Route 616, 127 Hanover Street Head east on Rt. 38; turn left at light after Rt. 206 intersection www.gristmillantiques.com (609) 726-1588 OPEN 7 DAYS - 10 AM TO 5 PM New Dealers Welcome! Check it Out! Just minutes from Exit 102, Garden State Parkway 609-652-7011 | www.daysofoldeantiques.com 150 S. New York Rd. (Rte. 9), Galloway, NJ Less than a 1/2 mile south of our old location 732.774.8230 MON - SAT. 11 TO 5, SUN 12-5 R033457 Valentine's

The Jersey Shore’s Largest Co-Op • Open 7 Days a Week • 10am-6pm R080292

Bath, PA

Continued from page 1 Included in the treasures on sale will be primitives, holiday, gardening, linens, Victorian era material, country, stoneware, decoys, lighting, jewelry, coins, and collectibles. The Chestnut Street Antiques Show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. With this being a one-day show and the dealers setting up Saturday morning, showgoers always find bargains here. The Garden of Feedin’ Café will be serving up homemade soup, barbecue, and fresh baked goodies. Cost of admission is $5 per person ($4 with a show card, or a printout of a card from the show’s Facebook page, or a wrist band from the Governor Wolf Show). Parking is free of charge. For additional information, email ddh1@ptd.net or call 610-390-3276.

MARYLAND 02/12-26/22, CARLISLE, SAT. 02/12/22, PHOENIXVILLE, SAT.

02/19/22, FREDERICK, SAT. AT 9AM, Feat. over 2,000 lots. 3 Auctioneers selling at once: Furniture, Board Games, Bottles. 3,000 games personal collec.-late 1800's - early 1980's, incl. board games, bagatelles, puzzles, card games, playing cards, skill/action games. Bottles incl. early soda, milk, med., from Cumberland, MD area, embossed, beer, & much more!, The Frederick Fairgrounds, Bldg. 12, 797 E. Patrick St., Howard B. Parzow Auctioneer 02/12/22, ANDREAS, SAT. AT 5PM - SAT. 5PM, Advertising, Country, Guitars, Sports & Furniture. Mickey Mantle & Yankees scrapbook w/cards, sports related items, dec. stoneware, old bottles, miniatures, Coke/oil/cigarette adv., carousel horse, Swiss music box, Edison phonograph, Erie cast iron skillets, Victorian paintings, marble top stands & washstands, etc., Online Only: hibid.com, Rowe's Auction Service 02/15/22, FOGELSVILLE, CLOSING BEGINS TUES. AT 9AM, Rev. War, Civil War, India Wars & Related time pd. Starr Arms AT9AM, Valentine's Weekend Sale feat. remarkable collec. early Chinese pottery & porcelain, Japanese Imari, fine jewelry, collec. coin silver holloware, paintings, dec. access., period furniture, clocks & more!, Live & Online: 1041 West Bridge St., #20; wiederseim.com, Wiederseim Assoc., Inc. MISSOURI 9AM, Best collec. weathervanes, lightning rods, lg. collec. early Co. revolver, 14th Calvary Civil War chest, Confed. States of 02/18-20/22, LONE JACK, FRI.- trencher bowls, painted dough America bonds/notes, orig. Rev.SUN., The Winter Auction. 19th bowls, rare butter churns, chocolate War stave canteen, Mann cartridgeCen. Americana, collec. 15 Thomas molds, sleigh bells, Early American boxes, Civil War ephemera, buck-Hart Benton lithographs, antq. & miner's lighting & much more!, les/buttons/insignia/accoutrements,Persian runners, antq. surveying/sci- Andreas Station House, 42 Andreas field gear & flags, medals/badges,entific instruments, Birger Sandzen Rd., Dean R. Arner Auctioneer, relics, firearm parts, etc., Onlineoil titled <em>Pine and LLC Only: www.Proxibid.com,Aspen</em>, cast iron gdn. Zettlemoyer Auction Co.urns/furniture, coin-op, trade simulators & adv., Daum Nancy lamps, 02/12/22, DOVER, SAT. AT9AM, fine antq.& classic watches, 40 pcs. Pedal Cars, Stoneware, Banks, 02/15/22, GLEN ROCK, TUES. Cameo glass & much more!, Phone Furniture & More, incl. pink kid AT2PM, Donald Hartman Estate & / Online / Absentee Only: Cadillac, blue Lil Tractor, Little 55 Others., Live & Online: Wehrly's SoulisAuctions.com, Soulis Oldsmobile, Murray Chrysler bur- Auction House, 4067 Snyder Rd.; Auctions gundy, Jeep, 2 Hubley tractors, etc. wehrlysauction.com, Wehrly's Stoneware crocks/jugs/pitcher, Auction Svc. NEW JERSEY water pitcher, batter pitcher, dec. 02/24/22, BURLINGTON, THURS. AT6:30PM, Antiques & Collectibles Auction., Live & Online: 424 High St.; antiquesnj.com; auctionzip.com, Burlington Antiques croc w/lid, etc. Banks incl. Star Wars, Bugs Bunny, Power Ranger, pay phone, etc. Wall/mantle clocks, lanterns & more., Dover Fire Co., 30 East Canal St., Good Old Boys Country Auction 02/19/22, SPRINGTOWN, SAT. AT9AM, Lg. selec. qty. country antques, primitives, antq. woodworking & blacksmith tools, vtg. wooden shoe rack, Empire & Victorian furniture, extensive colNEW YORK 03/13/22, NEWYORK, SUN. AT 11AM, Curated Antique, Vintage & Modern Rugs offered for a fraction 02/12/22, KINZERS, SAT. AT 10AM, Fine Coins & Currency Auction: 231 lots of gold, silver & bronze coins & many pcs. qty. curlec.stamps & 1st day covers, etc. , Springtown Vol. Fire Co. Bqt. Hall, 3010 Rte. 212, Robert H. Clinton & Co., Inc. PENNSYLVANIA 02/08/22, GLEN ROCK, TUES. AT 2PM, Large Sports Card Memorabilia Auction incl. many authenticated signatures!, Live & Online: Wehrly's Auction House, 4067 Snyder Rd.; wehrlysauction.com, Wehrly's Auction Svc. of orig. prices!, Online Only: www.nazmiyalauctions.com, Nazmiyal Auctions 02/12/22, MOUNTWOLF, SAT. AT10AM, Advertising Auction: 2 restored Esso Visible gas pumps, 2 rency, many ancients, 60 Morgan & Peace silver dollars, many graded coins, 25 Troy Oz .999 Silver Gateway Loaf silver bar, gold coins incl. 2010 $50 US Buffalo, 2006S $5 San Fran, 1877A20 Francs, & more!, Live & Online: 5336 Mine Rd.; liveauctioneers.com, Embassy Auctions International 02/26/22, SPRINGTOWN, SAT. AT9AM, Lg. selec. vtg. fishing poles, reels, lures & tackle, incl. bamboo, mod. fiberglass & graphite poles, fishing creels, fiberglass canoe, beer / tobacco adv., collectibles, tools -hand, sm. power, billiard table, Major upright comb. safe. , Springtown Vol. Fire Co. Bqt. Hall, 3010 Rte. 212, Robert H. Clinton & Co., Inc. 02/11-12/22, EPHRATA, FRI. AT restored 1940's gas pumps, WISCONSIN 2PM & SAT. AT 9AM, Winter oil/gas/automotive signs, cans, disCataloged Antique & Americana plays & garage items, 3 repro. gas 02/11-12/22, TOMAH, FRI. & Auction, incl. the collec. of Sharon pumps, farm/lawn/gdn. related signs SAT. AT9AM, 350+ lots of adver& the Late Jim Horst, & adv., coin op. train kiddy ride, lots tising signs, clocks & thermometers.Schaefferstown, PA; items from The of Hot Wheels, tobacco adv., 1960's 360+ lots oil cans. Pedal cars, disHorst Collection & others., Live & Hess boat w/box, model cars & plays, & many other unique items.,Online: Horst Auction Center, 50 more!, Live & Online: 4522 N. Live & Online: Monroe CountyDurlach Rd.; Sherman St. Ext. / www.rentzel- F a i r g r o u n d s ;www.horstauction.com, Horst sauctionservice.com, Rentzels AuctionZip.com#12887, MillersAuctioneers Auction Service Auction Co.

AUCTIONS SHOW & FLEA MARKET CALENDAR

GEORGIA NEW JERSEY

From the late 1800s is this cabinet photo of a lady wearing a dress dotted with “Pierrot & Pierette” buttons, lots of them, and an example seen up close.

This is a pearl button with rhinestones and mirrors, dating from the 18th century. OHIO 03/12-13/22, BLOOMSBURG, 02/10-13/22, ATLANTA, THURS.-SUN., Antique Market, 3650 Jonesboro Rd. SE, Atlanta Expo Center, North Bldg. 02/26-27/22, COLUMBUS, SAT.SUN., Antique Market, 717 E. 17th Ave., Ohio Expo Center SAT. 10-5 & SUN. 11-4, 40th Annual Bloomsburg Antique Show, Route 11 West Main St., Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, Gate 2, Indus. Arts Bldg.

03/10-13/22, ATLANTA,

01/06/22 TO 04/15/22, COLUMBUS, THURS.-SUN., Indoor/Outdoor Flea Market, Rt. 206 South, Delaware Valley, Columbus, NJ THURS.-SUN., Antique Market, 3650 Jonesboro Rd. SE, Atlanta Expo Center, North Bldg. PENNSYLVANIA 01/08/22 TO 03/27/22, BERWYN, SAT. & SUN. 9AM-4PM, Indoor/Outdoor Vintage Flea Market, 260 W. Swedesford Rd. (Rt 252), Berwyn Vintage Flea Market (Adjacent to McDonald's) 03/26/22, EPHRATA, SAT. 8:30AM-5PM, Sports Card Show 03/25-26/22, LANCASTER, FRI. 10AM-6PM & SAT. 10AM-4PM, 45th Annual Postcard Show, 1383 Arcadia Rd., Lancaster Farm & Home Center 01/30/22 TO 04/17/22, GILLETTE, SUNDAYS FROM 02/19-20/22, PITTSBURGH, & Live Auction, 130 S. Academy Dr., Ephrata Rec. Center 9AM-2PM, Antiques & Collectibles SAT.10-5 & SUN. 10-4, 47th Indoor Market, 500 Meyersville Rd., Meyersville Grange 188 Hall in Pittsburgh Antiques Show, 164 Fort Couch Rd., Crowne Plaza Hotel VIRGINIA Morris County, NJ

03/05-06/22, CHANTILLY, SAT. 02/12/22, TITUSVILLE, SAT. 03/05-06/22, BATH, SAT. 9-4 & 9AM-6PM & SUN. 11AM-5PM,

9AM-3PM, Pinback Button Show, SUN. 10-3, 12th Annual Antiques The DC BIG FLEA Antiques 1396 River Rd. (Rte. 29), Union Show, 6600 Jacksonville Road, The Market, 4320 Chantilly Shopping Continued on page 8 Fire Co. Wolf Academy Historic Site Center, Dulles Expo Center