NBS Blue Book

The NBS Classification System (Blue Book) will be sent with this February issue of the Bulletin and will not be published again for five years.  For those members who compete, it might be a good idea to order an extra copy or get the book bound.  For members who don’t compete and might be tempted to toss the Blue Book, I’d like to offer the following ten reasons to hold onto it.

Ten Reasons to Keep (and Read) your NBS Blue Book

1.  It provides structure for organizing your buttons (by age, use, surface design, material) and helps you categorize them so you can see gaps in your collection

2.  It may introduce you to types of buttons you didn’t know existed

3.  It helps you recognize, and refrain from buying, fakes and makeups

4.  It helps you stay up-to-date with newly discovered information

5.  It helps you raise questions and seek answers

6.  It provides a "big picture" of the variety of buttons available, so you can see what might appeal to you

7.  It defines (non-button) related items (buckles, netsuke, etc.)

8.  It provides information helpful in giving programs

9.  It provides guidelines for collectors who may want to exhibit or compete with their buttons

10.  It explains and defines commonly used button terms (the glossary) and helps you speak the lingo so you can communicate more easily with other collectors.