Page 21 - January1948

NATIONAL BUTTON BULLETIN 19

terms; seven of the buttons show concentric circles while the eighth (top in
center group) shows a center with concentric circle designs, an-d remainder
in concentric waves-
-. The base design was first engraved to considerable depth by means of
"Flinking" or engine-turning. This type of work gives- sparkre to the
enamel and is a great help in having the enamel adhere to the metal, when
deep colors such as dark brue, darli green, reds, etc., are used, tle design
rs more deeply cut in order that thele be a marked effect of tiiiri or shade.
This base metal must be_kept bright during the work and in or"cler to do so,
it involves much painstaking effort in the various steps of the technique.
- - After the transparent cobalt blue enamel was laid, the narrow rim of
white enamel was "charged- the metal, between two milled metal edges,
-on
and, another firing occurs . The artist is now ready for the foil picture whlch
has to be cut out or stamped by hancl. the toits are technically termed
"paillons," and are stam.ped out in relief; they are of inffnite variety such
as stars, flowers, birds, insects, and here-we see a complete sporting pic-
ture. They are cut from thin burnished sheets of puie gold, silver or
platinum, and applied the enamel, and on firing 6ecome incorporated,
_to
thus forming a most charming decoration. The paluons are protected by
two coats of flux, and occasionally pale enamel is added, imparting a slisht
tint to the foils, producing vely agreeable effects. iru.e w" fee three
shades of burnished gold, green gold 4nd a pale silygr-a most- ettective
picture. In the linked border two shades of gota foil combine very beauti-
fully.
To apply these pailrons takes great effort, for they are so fragile that
great precaution must be taken not to distort them. They must be lifted
carefully ri/ith t'weezers and laid in stages starting at one end and working
by degrees, pressing very genily, until the desisn is laid, so that no air is
imprisoned under the metal-to cause blisters.
Examine most carefully these elaborate pictures under a magnifying
glass, and see how delicate the designs actualiy are. specimen one showi
a falcorer with long cords tied to his birds-the golrl foil cords in the
actual buttons appear as slender as a hair! Imagine the skill it took to lay
each foil picture, and were you to examine eac.h button as I have done, look-
ing long and admiringly-you would see charhring rniniature r.eltet pictur.es
in gold foil of the most exquisite workmanship wl have yet seen erirployed
in buttons.
The set is a magnificent addition, and we are proud to have them in_
cluded in our magazine. Mrs. Lucile Albright is the owner, and she too
appreciates their beauty. Your editor was privileged to carr:y them home
from Indianapolis to be photographed and studierl. she aiso exhibited
them at the New Jersey Button Show where they were greaily admired.
L.S.A

A NEW TRAY OF BUTTONS FOR THE NATIONAL
TRAVELING EXHIBIT
using some of the more plentiful buttons, we have assembled this card
as closely as possible following the article entiiled rvrrrrrrsroN BUrnoN
sHoP' and donate it to the National Button society. rt is dedicated in
honor of william A. walker through whose kindness and generosity it was
made possible. we believe that through the years it will prove of educa-
tional value to all of us, and keep with the society forever the buttons
identined with the era when Mr. walker worked at ihe plant as Assistant
superintendent. He was the last employee on the pay-roli and the last one
to leave the Williston Button Shop. Era: 1.902-1922.
REBA G. SMITH
BEULAH TIFF'ANY