This is the title of my most recent book, and most extensive work so far.  It teaches you how to identify more than 140 different materials that buttons -- and many other items of collection -- were made of.  It is loaded with color photographs, including many button backs, to aid in identification.

I run eBay auctions from time to time for the book.  To find it, you can run a search on eBay or Google using BUTTON MATERIALS A-Z or Buttonjoss as key words.  I am always willing to help anyone identify the material in a button if you send me good scans of front and back of button.  Material misidentifications are rampant on eBay, and the correct ID is so important to button collectors especially.