POL GETS COLLECTORS AWARD

assembly member linda rosenthal may have a modest collection of political memorabilia, but her avid interest earned her the first annual ed potter memorial award, an honor given to an elected official who actively collects political memorabilia and artifacts.

it is named after ed potter, who was a significant collector of such memorabilia. rosenthal said she has about 300 campaign buttons and old newspaper articles. "it's the kind of collecting you can get immersed in," she said.

rosenthal's interest in political memorabilia started as a child. she said she remembers taking walks with her parents to vendors on west 86th street, where one table featured campaign buttons.

she will receive her award at the 22nd annual big apple ed potter chapter's apic-new york city political collectors show, sunday, feb. 7, at the chelsea jewish community center, 236 w. 23rd st. admission to the event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., is $3; children under 16 get in for free. for more information, call 212-764-6330.