Page 41 - October1997

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A-11-b. This button diffen from A-l l-a in that it never has ththe def-
inite channels between the sections and that it always has the pigtail r I shank.
Decoration takes the form of small dabs ofwhite glass, standing high erenough
.
to give the button a somewhat warty appearance. These raised dots arare usu-
ally applied two to a rib. Transparent red, amethyst, opaque green andrd black
Af5 specimens have been recorded to date.
A-12. In this elaboration ofA-1 l. a desien ofthree concentricic rings,
rather like A-3, is superimposed on the basic five-lobed pattem, so that the five radiating segments are
deeply scored horizontally. The one specimen at hand is ofrich cobalt blue, with a white band of over-
lay trim near the base.
A-13. The eight radiating, rounded ribs ofthis button give it a deeply scalloped silhouette at the
base. Like A-5 and A- I 1 -b, this has a pigtail shank. The one example under inspection shows bright red
dots ofoverlay trim on a white bodv.
A-14. Again two similar tlpes are lumped under one number because, while clearly marked spec-
imens may easily be differentiated, carelessly molded buttons of the two tend to become indistinguish-
able. The common feature of the two q?es consists of eight angular ribs, in both cases arranged more
or less in pairs.
A-14-a. The ribs on this button, usually ofmoderate convexity, are sharply defined and, while
they are arranged in pairs, the pairs do not run parallel but tend to diverge somewhat. The shape is
known in opaque brown with no overlay trim, and in plain transparent brown with a band of white over-
lay trim near the base. (Shown)
A-14-b. The two ribs ofeach pair on this button are strictly parallel one to the other, with the result
that the pattem, when seen fiom the top, suggests, not radiating spokes, but a cross with arms of equal
length. When seen from the side, the button is peculiarly bulbous, for the high sides curve out and down
from the top-center, and then part way under toward the shank. Overlay trim seems consistently to take
the form of inegular swirls-dark brown on an opaque blue body, white on cobalt blue, white on dark
transparent green, brown on white, and light green on black. (Shown)
A-15. This high convex fluted button is undoubtedly the most plentiful form ofbutton decorated
with the plain yellow metal tip. It is found in a considerable variety ofcolors, with the body usually
encircled with a contrasting band ofoverlay trim. At least one example of overlay sheath, bright trans-
parent blue over a white core, has been noted. Nine-ribbed and ten-ribbed versions are about equally
numerous and, for those wanting to draw the distinction, the nine-ribbed may be considered as A-15-a,
and the ten-ribbed as A-15-b.