Page 47 - February1999

Februarv 1999 NlfflONAL E]IJTTON Bl|Jn n ETIN 45

Thumbs Up Button Identified

If there's one thing I have leamed in recent years, it is the truth in the
statement "Ask and ye shall receive". Although my asking is not meant to be
of Biblical proportions, our members always come through for us. Such is the
case in the following note from Eiran Harris of Montreal, Canada. It reads:
"The initials on the button illustrated on page 260 (NBB Oct. 1998) are
B.W.R.S. - British War Relief Society. It cared for victims of Nazi bombing
of civilian targets in Britain during World War II. The "thumbs up"
represents Britain's perseverance during its darkest hour."
Thank vou. Eiran. for this memorable story.

A Souvenir Button From The

Italian Button Society

We recently received a large four-hole handmade button (one of 20)
made of "Tuscan olive wood crafted by an aftist from Florence, Italy." It
arived with a cover letter from Isa Tarchi Martorana, who is the president of
the Italian Button Society, which she established in 1996.
In her own words "Italian Button Society, whose ltalian translation is
Collegionisti Italiani Bottoni (CIB) lies in Florence. Its members are about 15,
very busy: it's great when we're together! Twice every year. we organize a
meeting during a day and on this occasion, I always realize a memorial button,
every time different, that each member receives as a gift at the end of the
meeting. CIB prints two bulletins in March and in September every year."
Ms. Martorana adds that although she doesn't particularly enjoy
traveling, one of her dreams is to participate in a National Button Society
show.
We welcome her participation, along with her fellow members, and wish
them all great buttoning in the New Year!
-LW/MWS