About Our Community
The California State Button Society was established in 1941 to promote the hobby of button collecting for educational purposes and personal enjoyment. As a non-profit, we operate with the help of many energetic volunteers and members to host an annual state button show in May. Local button clubs typically meet monthly throughout the state.
Button collecting is a very old hobby dating from the 17th century. Around the world, buttons were used as a decoration much like jewelry and worn by aristocratic men to display their wealth and place in society. Later the use of buttons became much more utilitarian and became available to lower classes as well. Buttons come in a variety of materials, including celluloid, ceramic, china, enamel, fabric, glass, horn, metal, shell, plastic, wood and other natural materials. Buttons can be found in antique shops, garage sales, estate sales, button shows and button auctions.
Buttons are collected for a variety of reasons. Some people want to learn more about how buttons were made, the clothing certain buttons were worn on and the time period the buttons represent while others just enjoy the beauty of these tiny works of art. Important for many is the opportunity to compete with other collectors at the state and national level. Most everyone in the hobby is happy to share information with new people as well so please join one of our local clubs and visit our state or local shows.
We produce a bulletin three times per year with articles about many different aspects of antique and collectible buttons.
Our mission is to expose new people to this wonderful hobby, educate them and have fun. We invite your questions and hope you will consider membership in the California State Button Society so you may enjoy button collecting along with us.
Click this link for membership information.