The Big Book of Buttons

iv, 813 pp. Includes color and black-and-white plates. A comprehensive guide to the evaluation, dating, and pricing of collectible buttons. CONTENTS: Dedication, publishing data; Title Page; Corrections & Omissions, 1st printing; Acknowledgements; Update on Prices - January 1991; Table of Contents; Introduction; Part I. Materials: Bone, Ivory, Horn, Tortoise Shell; Rare Horn Pictures; Ceramic; Utilitarian China; Satsuma; Enamels; Hard Rubber; Rubber, Composition, Gutta-Percha; Celluloid; Ivoroids; Plastics; Fabric, Embroidered; Velvet; Black Glass; Clear and Colored Glass; Lacy Glass, Lacy Patterns; Watch Crystals; Clambroth, Cobalt Blue, Poppers, Rosette Shanks; Assorted, Set in Metal, Bimini, Wafers; Victorians; Imitation Fabric of Molded Glass; Paperweight Glass; Modern Glass; 18th Century, Cut, Pressed Glass of 20th Century; Jeweled Buttons and Jewels; Waistcoat; "Gay Nineties" Jewels; Paste Jewels; Jeweled and Gemstone; Drums; Inlay, Veneer and Insets; Lithographs; Wood and Bone Backed; Metal Buttons; Gilt Copper, 1770-1800; Steel; Copper; Silver; Indian Silver; Tombac, 1760-1800; Pewter; Rimmed Pewters; Raced Pewters and Jacksonian "Cousins"; Jacksonians, 1825-1840; Brass, Gilts, Conventional; Miscellaneous Metals; Painted or Japanned Brass and Tole; Tin; Pearl and Shell; Golden Age Gilt with Pearl Centers; Vegetable Ivory; Wood and Metal Trimmed with Wood; Pine Needles, Pipestone, Leather, Fur, Snakeskin; Assorted Buttons and Trims. Part II. Topics: Animals; Turtles, Snakes, Lizards; Lions, Tigers, Bears; Deer; Cats; Dogs; Horses, Equestrian Subjects; Birds; Owls; Roosters; Insects and Spiders; Fables; Theatre, Opera and Circus; French Fops; The Heavens; Moons and Other Bodies; Zodiacs; Mythology; Dragons; Cherubs, Cupids, Fairies, Gnomes; Children; Kate Greenaway; Stories, Fairy Tales; Figures, Men's, Women's Heads; Art Nouveau, Art Deco; Oriental; Egyptian; Sports and Transportation; Religious and Biblical; Flowers; Plant Life; Buildings and Scenes; Inanimate Objects; Buckles, Bows, Greek Fret, Fleur-de Lys; Horseshoes, Shells, Paisleys; Arms, Armor, Heraldry; Containers; Hands, Fans, Crosses; Coin and Coin-like Buttons; Assorted Fasteners and Specialty Items; Studs or Cuff Buttons; Shoe Button Covers; Realistic - "Goofies"; Diminutives; Sporting Buttons; Livery Buttons; Washington Inaugural; Political, Historical, Commemorative; Glove Buttons; Work Clothes, 1900-1935, Pants; Chinese, Eastern Trade. Part III. Uniform Buttons. Appendix: Manufacturers' Names; Early American Pewter Button Makers; Early American Makers of Brass Buttons; Foreign Backmark Translations; Table of British Registry Marks, 1842-1867; Table of British Registry Marks, 1868-1883; Bibliography. Index.