Page 40 - May1954

230 NATIONAL BUTTON BULLETIN May,1954

CARVED MRIES IIOUNTIID UNDER GLASS (Continued)
But the clecorati,ue efrect achieved, therein lies their wonder! That
the effect was achieved only by a tou,r d,e f orce adds to the wonder when
one knows the facts. The beauty of the medallions is further enhaneed
by their mounting. The framing rim is of plain, undecorated metal, as it
should be; the background against whieh the designs are set is a
textured foil of fuschia shade. The mellow tones of the ivory and. the
contrasting radiance of the foil complement each other perfectly.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY OSCAR PLETSCH USED BY
BUTTON DESIGNERS
Bv Ernnr, McPrurl

Oscar Pletsch, contemporary of Kate Greena-
way, was born in Berlin, Germany, March 26, 1830.
His father taught drawing in the Berlin Artillery
School, and to augment his small salary engraved
pictures and card-s at home. As a small boy Oscar
loved to sit beside his father and help him to the best
of his ability.
When he was sixteen years of age he went to
Dresden to visit the artist. Bandemann. takinE some
of his work with him. The artist was so pleased
with his work that he offered to teach him without
pay. Oscar attended. Dresden Academy for a short
period, and then entered Bandemannts studio.
Then followed years of painstaking work. The birth of his little
daughter inspired him to draw children and his work in this field
brought him renown. He illustrated many children's books and in all the
((Uncle
nurseries in his native land he was known as Pletsch. t,
Just as Kate Greenaway's art was in demand for book illustrations
in England, so Pletsch's work was in Germany. His best work was done
between the years 7859-1872. About this time, fashion in children's
books changed from line drawings in black and white, such as Pletsch
did, to the colored illustrations, so eharacteristic of Kate Greenaway.
_Futji"g eye-sight and ill-health robbed Oscar Pletsch of his err""gy
and he died at the age of fifty-eight.

That Pletsch's illustrations influencecl button designers, we have
already shown in the Button Bulletht,.* We present three additional
identities in this issue. oscar Pletsch always signed his sketches with the
date and his initials O.P. interlockins.

'Button Bulletln Vol. 9, No. 1, p. 4? and Vol. 9, No. 3, p. 169.