review from Anne: A VERY BRIEF HISTORY OF BUTTONS #1
24 pages, 9.25 X 12.5, $15 US (shipping included)
BusyBeaver/net/button-zine.html
Honestly, this zine is one of the fanciest zines that's ever appeared in my mailbox. I've been a longtime fan of Busy Beaver buttons, and I love the idea that there's a button museum of rad buttons. This zine's an interesting, clever romp through the history of the pinback button (well, even before: the zine's got images of a historical Abraham Lincoln pre-button!). Busy Beaver owner Christen Carter and production manager Joel Carter, who co-wrote the zine in collaboration, wanted to focus on how buttons are artifacts of cultural history. It's also got some pretty substantial production values: I know $15 sounds like a lot of money, and for most zines it is, but when you're looking at this and holding it in your hands, it reads more like a museum's exhibition catalogue. It's expertly designed and the captions are hilarious. It's a great read, especially if you're interested in history and material culture.
Honestly, this zine is one of the fanciest zines that's ever appeared in my mailbox. I've been a longtime fan of Busy Beaver buttons, and I love the idea that there's a button museum of rad buttons. This zine's an interesting, clever romp through the history of the pinback button (well, even before: the zine's got images of a historical Abraham Lincoln pre-button!). Busy Beaver owner Christen Carter and production manager Joel Carter, who co-wrote the zine in collaboration, wanted to focus on how buttons are artifacts of cultural history. It's also got some pretty substantial production values: I know $15 sounds like a lot of money, and for most zines it is, but when you're looking at this and holding it in your hands, it reads more like a museum's exhibition catalogue. It's expertly designed and the captions are hilarious. It's a great read, especially if you're interested in history and material culture.
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