UK

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