Portland Oregon The Rose City

Rich dark blue background with gold lettering and red rose with green leaves.

The crystoglas button gives an interesting 3D effect through embossing the metal and printing directly on the celluloid.

.

Portland's mayor, Harry Lane, decided to start the Rose Festival in 1907 because the city's climate is suitable for growing roses.  The first rose festival was held at the celebration of the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition.

This button was made using the crystoglas process, which was developed by Whitehead and Hoag and used around 1915. Crystoglas buttons are produced by placing clear celluloid on certain areas of the front of the button with colored foil underneath over a stamped metal background. The process was not used often due to the high cost.