There’s Nothing Like a Good, Old-Fashioned Button Show In the regular course of my shopping around antique shows, flea markets, shops and garage sales, the chatter about “The Net” and “Ebay” taking over the market place is beginning to bore me.  Yes, the marketplace has changed and the variety of sites offer lots of opportunities for collectors and dealers alike.  However, in my mind there’s nothing like a good, old-fashioned button show. Why?  First of all, there’s lots of stuff.  Tables and tables of paper and buttons and textiles and china and you name it.  Where else can you possibly find more?  The marketplace whining starts with, “There’s nothing out there anymore.” Well, it is there, at a button show. Not surprisingly, there are real people at button shows…Interesting and helpful types with expertise in about every category of collecting there is – from locals to 18th  century china, and from autographs to fakes or repins.  I suppose if you surf enough you can find information, but you won’t find the ongoing friendships, the fascinating stories and the opportunity for learning that turn up at a show. Is the scanned picture and description comparable to seeing the item in your hand?  If you are particular about condition, can you really be sure on the net?  With the dozens of tables at shows, each interesting item comes alive.   You can learn about its history and observe its every nuance.  Ever try to bargain over the net?  Sure!  At a button show, you can comparison shop for the same piece among dealers, work out multiple purchases at a discount, and bring in duplicates for sale or trade.  In short, you can negotiate.   Another attraction to a button show is the mystery of what will show up.  Even advanced collectors make great finds for their collections.  Ask Peter Maio, from Rome, NY, who found (or should I say his wife, Ro, found) two unknown and unlisted JFK buttons in an uninteresting box at the last national convention.  In addition, great pieces are brought in by the public for auction, and others arrive with dealer/collectors who find them in the hills and dales of their travels.  In all honesty, how many people do you know who really appreciate your collections?  Forget your neighbors or work mates, probably not your spouse and certainly not mrcollectible.com.  At a show, almost everybody does!  It’s one of the few chances you have to show, tell and brag to someone who will even listen. So, get off the net, take a ride to the nearest button show and just have some fun.  Don’t worry about the yard and garden; they’ll be there when you return.  You may have to wait another year for the show.