In 080226 MMDigest, Doug Bullock said about black shellac, "This is
also known in England as "button polish" as it was used to French
polish buttons at one time."

Sorry to disagree, Doug, but button polish in the UK is dark brown,
not black.  Black French polish is called ... "Black French Polish".

John Farmer, UK

 [ At http://www.toolpost.co.uk/pages/Finishes/Liberon/liberon.html :
 [
 [   Button Polish is a traditional Golden Brown polish giving an
 [   "antique" look, applied by brush to give a pleasingly warm
 [   finish to new timber and capable of covering surface defects
 [   to a reasonable degree.  Once used on the fore-runners of zip
 [   fasteners and poppers (press-studs), they do say.
 [
 [ Other varieties of shellac-based polish listed are
 [
 [   Easy French Polish, Button Polish, Black Polish (Ebonising),
 [   Garnet Polish, Pale French Polish, White Polish
 [
 [ -- Robbie