Going Once...Going Twice...SOLD!

When I heard that there was going to be a live auction at the National Button Society dinner last night, I certainly never imagined that my mom and I would walk away with the treasure that we did. In most cases when I attend an event with a live auction, I rarely even participate because, let's face it...someone is going to outbid me within the first few seconds anyway.

Nevertheless, as soon as we finished enjoying a delicious BBQ dinner, mom and I, brimming with optimism, headed straight to the auction table to get a preview of the 100+ items that would be making their way home with some lucky bidder. As I surveyed the goods, I found a few things that interested me, so I took a couple notes on what I thought I would be willing to pay for something on the off chance that everyone else in the room fell asleep and couldn't outbid me! There was a beautiful magenta lacy glass button, an interesting 18th century copper button, a card of 19th century metal pictorial buttons, and a beautiful one-of-a-kind paperweight button made by an amazingly talented glass artist named Mary Gaumond. Mom warned me that all of these items would likely go for "high dollar," but I still clung to a small shred of hope.

Then, as I neared the end of the auction table, I saw it...an unassuming, plain wooden shadow box. I could see that it contained a tray of 25 buttons with "Painted Pearls" handwritten across the top, and from a distance, it looked mildly interesting. But when I got closer, I immediately knew that I had to have it! Each pearl button was hand painted with a variety of figures or scenes from poetry, nursery rhymes, literature, art, and history. From Rip van Winkle and Little Bo-Peep to Napoleon and Longfellow to Paul Revere and William Tell, each button was its own intricate masterpiece, and together, the entire set resonated with me on so many levels.

Mom agreed that it was truly stunning, and we made a pact to bid on it (within reason), but as the evening wore on and we saw the prices that many of the buttons and trays were selling for, we quickly lost hope that we would be able to keep up with the bidding on such a beautiful collection of buttons. Finally, item #97 was up for bid. With our limit in mind, we threw our paddle in the air. Back and forth, with each increasing bid, I reminded myself not to get my hopes up, and then all of a sudden, ours was the only paddle in the air...and I heard the anxiety inducing words, "Going once..." - I glanced around the room silently willing everyone else to keep their hands down - "Going twice..." - please, please, PLEASE...don't let anyone else bid..."SOLD to bidder #102!" I about jumped out of my seat! Mom and I were both shocked. How had that happened? Quite a few single buttons had sold for much more earlier in the night. Who knows...maybe some of the more seasoned dealers and collectors didn't think these buttons were all that valuable. After all, the tray was donated by someone who had inherited them, but very little was known about who painted them or where they came from. To me, however, that just adds to their allure. In the end, mom and I aren't too concerned about their actual value because that's not why we bought them. For whatever reason...and possibly for different reasons, we were drawn to these small works of art. We love them, and we were fortunate enough to be able to buy them. It's an investment that we made together, and after we rework the buttons into two complementary displays, we will each have something beautiful to hang in our homes that will serve as a reminder of this amazing trip.  But for me, it will also be a reminder of the incredible bond that I have with my mom that continues to grow stronger with each new shared experience. Every time I look at the "Hey Diddle Diddle, the Cat and the Fiddle" button, I will hear her voice reciting those lines to me as a child, but I will also be reminded of how blessed I am to have such an incredible mentor, advocate, and friend whom I also happen to call, "Mom."

I have to hand it to button collecting...I think it's teaching me a lot more about my mom, me, and life than I ever expected it to!