Skegness 1952

First of a mixed bunch here. This is the Skegness 1952 badge. To the best of my knoledge there were 4 colour variations this year and this was one of the less common. It is fairly poor in condition but is better then none.

The pin housing on the back is bent but otherwise intact. Overall a nice addition. Not the cream of my crop but certainly not the chaff, if I am right about the rarity of the colours it may even be a steal. Maker was Jewellery Metal Co of Dublin and this is stamped on the back.

It’s a Badgapaloosa

Four exciting little envelopes arrived this morning :D

I will update on what they contained a day at a time as is my wont.

Stand by for no 1!

Skegness 1946 (Replica)

So often after great joy comes slight disappointment. As is the case with my delivery this morning. Now dont get me wrong, as a replica I paid a fair price but the description was so poor that I wasn’t quite sure WHAT i was getting. An eBay seller to avoid I think.

Anyway today's entry is a replica of the 1946 Skegness badge with a gold effect centre and a blue rim. If it was original it would be great but as a replica it really isn't that special. I will have to see what Mr Posty brings me next.

 

BUTLINS AYR 1965 (NEW ADDITION)

Ok if you will allow me a small nerdgasm here! I have received this morning a lovely Ayr 1965 badge. This has two distinctions. It marks the resumption of my active collecting and it is my very first Ayr badge. i am no longer an Ayr virgin!

Here's some piccys!

It’s a nice simple thistle design with very little damage. The few surface flaws have probably been there since making.

Made by our old friends Fattorini and his boys. The pin is pristine and in perfect order. All in all a great addition to the gang.

Clacton 1959

From 1959  this badge is in great condition on the front but does look a tad faded. A change in maker for this one, it is produced by Gaunt of London.

The back of the badge is a little distressed with some bending to the pin housing and tarnish to the rear. Overall a well preserved and slightly different example of the collection.

Bognor 1966

This is my Bognor 1966 badge. It is a rather common one but appears to have been made exceptionally well. As you can see its in fantastic condition! It was produced by Fattorini and Sons (he’s been busy since 1938!)  and is stamped on the back with this.

 

Butlins Skegness 1938 (The Jolly Fisherman)

This is my oldest badge. Used in 1938 it was an undated issue with no known variations. Aside from the possibility of ending up with a fake or repro badge the badge has the added difficulty of having no date label being early in the badge days I guess they decided they didn’t need one. As as this time there were only two camps in operation and Skegness had been running for just 2 years.

The badge was made by Thomas Fattorini and is stamped on the rear with the makers mark. It is a bit tarnished but the pin is in place, the enamel unchipped and for a small badge that is over 71 years old that is surprisingly good condition.

Butlins Badges

From WIKIPEDIA

When booking in on arrival at Butlin's (camp or hotel) each camper was issued with an enamel badge to wear for the duration of their holiday. The badge granted the camper readmission to the site should they take a trip out during their stay. Badges were worn with pride. Campers kept badges from previous holidays and wore them all on a ribbon.

Each year a different badge was produced for each camp with the name of the camp and the year forming part of the design.

The badges were made of die-stamped metal (usually brass), highly polished or chrome plated with the brightly coloured design made of vitreous enamel using a process similar to Champlevé but the troughs being stamped in rather than carved.

Each camp had at least one badge each year, with most of the larger camps having several colour variations throughout the season for improved security. Occasionally, two different designs would be used in one season.

The badges were issued every year from 1936 until 1967.

Each badge was hand-made by jewellery manufacturers in London, Dublin or in Birmingham's 'Jewellery Quarter'. The quality and beauty of the badges has ensured that many survive as heirlooms and are very collectable.

A collection of one badge per camp per year would total 192 badges. However, the myriad colour variations and additional 'special' badges would take the collection to over 1200 badges (although there is no definitive list of all variations).

Additional badges included 'Second Week' badges, Staff badges, 'Concessionaire' badges (for visiting tradesmen - these badges are distinguished by the absence of enamel), Committee badges, Christmas badges, Beaver Club badges, Reunion badges and many others. Badges were not issued during Second World War years of 1940 to 1945 as the camps were taken over by the government and used as accommodation for war service personnel.

Notable badges include 'Skegness 1936' (the first badge issued) and 'Filey 1945', which features the 'V for Victory' in its design and is an exception to gap of the war years as the camp was the first to reopen after the war just in time for the end of the season in August 1945.

Barry Island 1965 is the 'Holy Grail' of Butlin's badges: the camp didn't open that year as planned. The badges were manufactured but never issued; some examples survive.

A few years ago I started to pick up these little badges. After I gained a couple I was hooked.This blog will run alongside my main REVIEWED AT RANDOM blog and whereas that one will chronicle my media adventure this is a more physical journal.

I currently have around 50 badges, mainly Butlins and I am growing this collection actively. Some of these badges are works of art in themselves and I am enjoying the chase as much as the capture.

Here are some of my early conquests.

Wish me luck.