South Africa, Adventure Souvenir Patch

Sampson´s extend the patch collection to South Africa

From end 60´s Sampson´s imported the souvenir patches collection to South Africa under two companies: Wesleys of durban and Smokes and gifts souvenirs.

In both cases, it was offered the same patch collection than in UK.

These souvenir patches with original package are really difficult to get them

Most usual patch is South Africa coat of arms, distributed directly by Sampson´s.

The patches are manufactured with impacted colors that highlight it.

Here you are some patches of 2 most important Johannesburg´s towers: 

Hillbrow Tower (1968 - 1971)

Albert Hertzog Tower (1961-1962)

The package characteristics are same than British ones, I provide you one example of Woven badges list available of 1973, you can observe in the middle, sampson´s woven badge album offer.

If you have additional info or you want to tell us something else, welcome to comment this post

Sampson´s Souvenir a Britain reference in Woven Badge Manufactures

SAMPSONS SOUVENIRS ,ltd

Some info

After World War II, the souvenir badge tradition was imported to Britain by Sampson import (badges) Ltd., which began producing badges of British tourist spots. 

Based on Southend-on-sea, Essex is with any doubt the reference company in manufacturing of Souvenir patches in UK. nowadays the business is extend to all kind of souvenir object as Fridge magnets, caps, etc.. with a very large catalogue

Sampson´s is still the largest British manufacturer of souvenir badges, and produced many of the badges. Rather than being embroidered, the designs of the Sampson badges are usually woven with fine lurex thread into a thin piece of fabric, which is then stitched or (more recently) glued onto a felt backing material.

Sampson´s is really focus on scutelliphily  or patch collector oriented,  providing with the patch ( woven badge) package the list of places availables to request by customers. In 1974 sampson´s began to provide also the "badge Album".

Sampson Souvenir badge 1960´s -1970's 

Here you are some piece from Sampson Import (badges) features by a woven silk design sewn onto a felt backing. The more ancient badges are embroidered with yellow color thread in the cover of place´s name ,I think at end of 60´s Sampson´s began the use of lurex, becoming more visual attracted.

 You can see, Detailed patch of Rhyl-Wales and Burham-on -sean original package,

I include other examples of patches 60´s ( not clear identification of year due to no referencial exist) 

I you are patch collector or just interested in this bobbie, the best way to identified period is to get the patch in original sampson´s package, so depending of logo, price and list of places available is more or less easy the identification. If you get a patch without package, I´m going to provide you some info in this blog for better identification, although info came from my experience in collection.

If you have other info or criteria, you´re welcome to discuss

List of Places 

Probably 1962-1965. Price 2s each badge

I enclosed you some pictures of 60´s list of places.

This first one is the oldest in my collection, I´m still searching info to identify exactly the year.

Front/back detail

Inside detail

You can observe in this pictures the places available at this period, so if you get a patch and not appear in this list, clearly is not from this period. Note the Continental places, such us, Venice, Paris, Rome, Malta,etc.

Probably 1968-1969. Price 2s each badge

I enclosed you some pictures of 60´s list of places.

Front/back detail

 Inside detail

How to file your souvenir patch collection?

Best way to enjoy your patches

The truth is that I have tried many methods before deciding current one. At first, I used to hit cardboard shields and these were filed in folders, but when the number became higher is not longer practical.

Example of file for Souvenir patches

Also put the patches into a wall but they are becoming dirty.

At the end the most effective way I have found is to use sheets of stickers collector file including therein a black paper to highlight the patch.

Once archived can enjoy looking at your collection. You have some pictures so you can check it.

Throughout this time as collector I have only seen one company that distributed the souvenir patches with the ability to archive them, this is Sampson's that in 1973  began to distribute their own album.

1973 Sampson´s album

Welcome to souvenir patches collectors blog!!

What are the reasons to create this souvenir patch collector blog?

This blog is created with the aim to became a reference for people keen on collecting souvenir patches from different places, countries around the world.

If you are in same hobbie or simplement you find curiosity... Welcome!!

Sometimes I wonder why I have dedicated last 20 years, collecting souvenir patches, maybe as simple hobbie with more and more dedication. 

Souvenir Patch collection or Scutelliphily is becoming more and more relevant, however level of detailed info you can get in Internet is really poor. So I propose you to share Souvenir Patch data collection.

Depending on the language the denomination is different so I provide you some common names:

• English (UK):Patch/Woven Badge
• English (USA): Patch/emblem
• Francaise: Ecusson
• German:Aufnäher Wappen/ Aufnäher reiseandenken
• Spanish: Escudo Bordado/parche bordado
• Italian: Toppa/ Toppe Ricamata

My Patch Collection

More than 2.000 patches are part of my collection. Vast majority from Europe and focus on 60's to 80's patches.

Nowadays I´m really keen on get information about patch history, patch manufactures per country and general info about people around the world with same hobby or interest. After several years I´m ready to share this info with all of you, receive additional info and be accurate in level of information provide.

In future posts I will provide detailed info per country focus mainly in Europe about patch manufacturers, periods, performance, etc..

If you´re interested in any particular country or deeper info don´t hesitate to comment in this blog