Buttons

by Diana Epstein, Millicent Safro, John Parnell

Haughtily beautiful or whimsically irreverent, buttons are a unique mirror of changing fashions in dress and the decorative arts through the centuries. With a foreword by acclaimed artist Jim Dine and a preface by best-selling author Tom Wolfe, both devoted buttons aficionadoes, this book appeals to the serious collector and casual enthusiast alike.

Genres: Reference, History, Nonfiction, Art, Fashion

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating -- and was able to read and look through this book by the owners of Tender Buttons in NYC just as I was reading Killer Look by Linda Fairstein, in which the shop features as an important part of the plot. But just gazing on those buttons--and seeing all the Japanese buttons, which I had not encountered in 35 years there, and the Alaskan button, which I had not seen in 10 years there. So thank heavens for this fabulous book!!!

[robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A button-centric viewpoint on history. Rather than just being a book about buttons, this is a book about the sorts of buttons made at different times; of what materials, with what technology, tied to which fashion trends. The photos are beautiful, the buttons are beautiful, and the accompanying text is truly interesting.

For instance, just recently I read a book in which a character's steel buttons are specifically mentioned as an incidental detail. That meant nothing to me at the time, but they have a brief mention in this book; popular in the last quarter of the 18th century, due to their dazzling, diamond-faceted effect. So this particular character was both flashy and a little behind the fashion, and perhaps not in the best of taste.

This is a surprisingly interesting book, and the buttons really are beautiful.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book, about a wonderful store, Tender Buttons and it's contents. It may have been tiny, but it was like a museum for buttons.

This book shows examples of buttons through the ages, each example more amazing than the previous.

I went in the store looking for buttons for a coat, and ended up spending a few hours browsing buttons that were beyond description--just beautiful and exquisite. I only wish the store was still there to enjoy.

[Kayleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Now that the shop Tender Buttons has closed looking at the wonderful buttons in this book is as close as you can get. The photos are perfect and incredibly detailed. There is a history of buttons with lots of interesting details and examples. The sharp detailed photos of these historic buttons is the best part.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love buttons

[Kairi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selle nööbiraamatu eeliseks on suurepärane pildimaterjal ja ülevaade erilistest 18. ja 19. sajandi nööpidest.

[Alessandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gorgeous art history of buttons of the last three centuries written by two women who sell antique buttons in New York. Fully illustrated in color, it shows an astonishing range of materials and approaches to buttonmaking.

[Catherine Woodman]

This book has some wonderful photos of buttons over time, and gives a good overall hisotry of buttons through time