Page 15 - May1964

May, 1964 NATIONAL BUT"ION BULLETIN 109

various kinds as interesting additions to their collections. Of those in ttre button
category, two are of more than ordi-rrar5z interast and importance to bution epllec-
tors; they are the hubs with the "cw" with Linked slates Border pattern en-
graved on them.
Dies and hubs are made from a cylindrical piece of steel and bear the desired
device.. The hub, or master die, is first, engr.aved with the d.evice and after hard-
ening is used to impress the device in-to working dies, which artei traraenine ar€
used in striking buttons, medals and ouher objects.
The hub, shown on the left, in the writer's collection, i,s one of two sp€cimens,
which was found in the collection of the late Adam pietz or rhitaaeiptria. Mr.
Pietz, who died in 1960, was a first-cla.cs artist, mechanic and engrav;r.-whetner
q1 not hg engraved ttris hub, is not known at ttris time. Examinatio-n of the hub in-
dicates that it is hand-engraved. The legend, "LoNG LrvE THE FnssrDeNt',,
which encircles the "GW." monogr3nq in thi! Dattern, is missing; trriie are traces,
however, which indicate it was included in the original engraviirg. The reason for
this deletion is not known.
The illustration on ttre right is a strike from the hub in soft metal. Note ttrat
the lettering reads backwards - in other words, the strike from a truu is in reverse.

IMPOR,TANT NOTICE
Addifional Special Award For 1964
Sec. 2, Class 39-C. Metal Buttons wittr Original Color. Various. (pair of
Silver Candlesticks to be retained by winner) In memory of Maxguerite
Maple. Mrs. Margaxet Johnston CA,NDLESTICT<S

IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO _ BACKMARKS TELL WIIER,E FBOM
Jano Ford Adams
Backmarks were used,.at least as early as the 1?th century, to tell purchasers
who the maker was. But it is equally true thab backmarks trdve ueen ixtensively
used to deceive the customer about where the button ca.me from.
Backmarks in the French language are more- notable in this respect ttra^n a^ny
others. During the ttrird_ and fourttr quarters of the last century frincn button
qoakers enioyed such world-wide pretige for design, rinisrr ana i6ua co-nstruction
that manufacturers in other countries consfanfli tried to pass itrJmsaves off-
gr rg,ther to disguise ttreir products--as rtench. Ttrus butooirs maoe in-Germany,
Elgland and the united states were backmarked "Ne plus uttra;,, r,a-rvroae par-
isienne" or anyttring else that would pass for Ftench witn mosi peobfe.- -"
The lesson is: r-ook twice at the language of a backmark. rt may be French
only to fool you.

THE NEWEST SHIET BUTTONS DE LUXE
"T_oday's shopping Tip," given by ftank Rhoades in his san Diego union col-
umn, January 17, 1964: 'Merchant r.ou overgard soon will offer th! very finest
gentleman's shirt. The fabric is hand-woven Egyptian cotton and trr" rrrttors ,ru
geluing- laroque pearls. Better hurry because- rre nas only one garment, Ttre
price: $2,500."

The National Button society show dates for workers are october ith thru
llth at the Pick Carter Hotet, Cleveland, Ohio.