Classifying Buttons
Useful Tips
- Buttons made before 1918 are defined by the National Button Society (NBS) as old (NBS Division I) and those made after 1918 are defined as modern (NBS Division III).
- Buttons sizes are defined as Diminutive: up to 3/8″; Small: 3/8″- 3/4″; Medium: 3/4″-1 1/4″; and Large: 1 1/4″ & over.
- If you join the National Button Society, you will receive lots of helpful information including periodic Bulletins and access to purchase other helpful Society literature.
- There is a very large button “club” on the internet called “Buttonbytes”.  It is available at no cost to anyone interested in the hobby.
- The very best way to learn about your buttons is to join a button club in your state and interact with experienced collectors.
- Escutcheon (es-sku-chin) is a term used to describe a central metal ornament attached by one or more  pins (never glued).
- “OME” is an acronym for Other Material Embellishment – a material different from the base of the button added to or inlayed into the surface to enhance the face design.
- A button’s material is defined by the material at the base or shank of the button. Buttons may be comprised of several different materials.
- There are more than 50 different names for the attachment feature of buttons. See the button gallery to explore these many button back types.
- Many fun names are assigned to buttons with certain features including pigeon eye, goofy, twinkles, vanity, Victorian jewel, whistle, aristocrat, cookies and drums. Find them all in the gallery pages.
- In addition to clothing buttons, button related specialties are part of the hobby. These include links, studs, buckles, Netsuke, button hooks and button covers. See them in the Division IV Gallery.
Acronyms for button terms
- ABS – Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, type of metalized
synthetic polymer - ANN – American Novelties and Notions, company known for
producing processed wood buttons - BM-Â Back mark
- BOD – Benefit of the doubt
- Cl. – Class
- CPE – Cold plastic enamel
- DF – Decorative finish
- DIGS – Design in glass surface
- DIPS – Design in plastic surface
- Div. – Division
- DUG – Design under glass
- DUP – Design under plastic
- DUPS – Design under plastic surface
- GAP – General Arts Products, company known for producing
processed wood buttons - HDPE – High-density polyethylene, a type of synthetic polymer
- NBB – National Button Bulletin
- NBS – National Button Society
- RSB – Riveted shank button
- OME – Other material embellishment
- Sec. Section
- VI -Vegetable ivory