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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Presented Newest to Oldest)
2027 Award #24 – Squares.
Are pictorials allowed on award 24 (2027 Squares).
Yes, when the award is NOT a pattern award it would be to your advantage to have pictorials. Always double check the sections the award is written to. Ohio 2027 award #24 is written to section 23-10.22. Please see the National Button Bulletin May 2025 (pages 64-67)for detailed information about complete representation.
2026 Award #3 – Famous men
#3 -R/N. Division 1-Cl. 20-14, Large. Famous men, no kings. Label men. Women, children, and animals allowed as long as men are the main focus. No studios. Larry Everett. $25, 15, 10; M: $25
Section 20-14 refers to men. (Blue book page 23, and 56.) It also notes that basic rules under People class (20-18) apply here also, see page 57.
Questions-
1. Can men without formal names IE “Trumpeter of Krakow” be used for this award?
2. Can Jesus be used? He was not a king but is referred to as the “King of Kings.”
Answers-
1. The award calls for the (famous)men to be labeled. The sponsor of the award intended for the men to be actual people who can be named (labeled.)
The trumpeter of Krakow is a character from a novel based on historical legend and not a named person. This button would go under section 20-20 -Stories.
2. Jesus on the other hand is an actual person. The question here revolves around the word “king.”
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary there are 7 meanings of “king” one of which is God or Christ So, because the award states “no kings” Jesus would not fit the criteria of how this award is written.
2026 Award #12 – Halloween
12 R/N. Cl 1-0 thru 15-5, 25 Any. Assorted materials specialized to Animals, Plants, Scenes and other pictorials related to Halloween. No limit on realistics or studios. Polk Box. $5, 3, 2; M: $5.
Question: can objects be included in this award?
Answer: YES
Clarification- after consulting with the sponsor it was determined that the intent of this award was to be a material award about all things Halloween. Therefore, all pictorial sections are appropriate. The term “other pictorials” was meaning “all pictorials”, not specifically referring to section 20.
2026 Award # 11 – Astronomical
The question presented:
The Blue Book on page 55 notes that atmospheric features (rain, snow, wind, clouds, lightning, rainbows, etc.) are not a part of Cl. 20-3 but should be used in Cl. 20-24, Unlisted. Some sources other than the Blue Book have claimed that the aurora borealis qualifies for Cl. 20-3. However, the aurora borealis is an atmospheric phenomenon that is transient, just as lightning is, so wouldn’t the aurora borealis fit in the “unlisted” Cl. 20-24 rather than Cl. 20-3 (Astronomical)?
Team Answer:
Everyone should note we use the blue book as our first reference. Common sense comes into play and many references are helpful. In the end it comes down to the specific award and how it is worded. The option to push the envelope is always there. We encourage the judges to use BOD (benefit of doubt) when gray areas are in play, and to deduct points for “poor choices” or give extra points for “excellent choices.”
We realize there are conflicting opinions in various sources, in this case given the aurora borealis is considered an atmospheric phenomenon we believe it belongs in the unlisted section. We would not expect to see it in an award written to 20-3.
