Aerogramme

’25-05: Children, Blessed!

What began in the spring of 2023 has grown into a true community project—our Visual Bethlehem Peal pages. Built with the heart and hands of many collectors, our project […]

For many of us, the daisy has always been a simple, sweet flower — white petals, yellow center, tucked into childhood memories and garden borders. It’s easy to think we know it inside and out. But just like us, daisies have more to them than meets the eye.

’25-03: Button Bears

A 1974 state show program album sparked our interest in our collective past. So, WSBS’s historian was asked one day to climb into her attic to dig into the society’s pile of papers.

’25-02: African Princess

To celebrate Black History Month of February (WRBA Public Handout), a WRBA member shares a special group of livery buttons. About 200 British noble families are listed in the 1905 edition of Fairbairn’s Book of Crests describing their crests using terms such as ‘blackamoor,’ ‘moor,’ and ‘Africa’, indicating that African-themed imagery was popular in the British heraldry for symbolizing colonial achievements, military conquests, or historical connections.

’25-01: Transformation and Resilience

From an eco-feminist perspective, the snake represents feminine wisdom and humanity’s deep connection to nature. Its ability to shed its skin embodies resilience, adaptability, and renewal—qualities said to be carried by those born under this zodiac sign (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, and 2025), who are intuitive, resourceful, and graceful in navigating life’s challenges.

’24-12: The Caucasus Mountains

Button collectors use the year 1918 to separate our old buttons from the new. Let us imagine a dashing gentleman in 1918 who could have been one of our great-grandfathers — proudly wearing a pair of cufflinks in support of his homeland called КАВКАЗЪ where other men were still wearing the traditional leather belt over chokha.

’24-11: A Proclamation for Peace

This month’s whimsical button features 3 strands of twisted wires spanning across it, separated by 3 round beads on the telephone pole, with birds perched on top. This story is inspired by a poem, “A Proclamation for Peace” which is about finding our inner strength amidst the noise and chaos in the world. Watch video of a witty talk and poetry by Kim Stafford at the February 2025 Salem Poetry Project..

’24-10: Charles Dickens and Buttons

How did this button get repeatedly misattributed to Charles Dickens? It is a one-piece brass pictorials with shaped cut steels typical of those that were made during the last quarter of the 19th century.

’24-09: A Girl from India

Today, this classical dance form, Bharatanatyam, is renowned for its precise movements, expressive gestures, and intricate footwork. Watch the video of young children emulating and embodying this amazing art form.
Students spend years perfecting the basics, which are the building blocks of more complex sequences.

’24-08: A Swallow’s Message

This button is named “Love’s Messenger” in the Big Book of Buttons, which notes that the bird carrying the letter is a swallow. Swallows, for their monogamous nature, symbolize love and…