Badge Trends? - Page 245

Kappamd · #**3661** 06-25-2011, 03:59 PM

For some reason it won't let me post the picture, but KKG tweeted a pic of some of the badges on display at HQ.

http://ow.ly/i/deh7/original

I am DYING over the turquoise. SO PRETTY!

AZTheta · #**3662** 06-28-2011, 11:58 AM

I have just returned from visiting Kappa Alpha Theta IHQ. I should have planned a week there. Was totally blown away by the archivist, Noraleen DuVall Young, and the archives, as well as the exhibits, and the entire HQ.

I did take pictures and will try to upload them but I tell you in advance: I am a horrible photographer and it was challenging to get photos of the badges. However, I have a PLAN B for sharing photos so all is not lost.

The jewelry was fascinating and remarkable in so many regards. The art deco period jewelry was outrageous. Heck, everything was outrageous.

And I (happily) no longer have "badge envy". There were two large display cases showing the variety and variation in Theta badges since 1870. Yes, of course there were Dyers, but there were other, equally stunning, badges. I fell in love with two of the "flat" badges. But through the years, the kite shape was maintained along with all the other important features of the badge.

Definitely planning a return visit.

ETA: I looked at the information on when my chapter became a Theta chapter and saw a photo of the local sorority's badge. And - it was a "coffin shape: very similar to Phi Tau and some other "coffin" badges posted here. Huh.

thetygerlily · #**3663** 06-28-2011, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lleduc

I have visited all the HQs that are at Miami, with the exception of DZ. Getting into a sorority HQ to do research about old locals and stuff is difficult when you are a guy it seems. Fraternity HQs were very willing for me to come in and do research.

BTW, my research project is to publish a new Encyclopedia of Greek Letter Societies and old Literary Societies....someday....

Awesome project- many of us will be interested if/when that comes to fruition! My guess is that your challenges haven't been so much that you're a guy, but one of the differences between women's sororities/fraternities and men's fraternities. Think of how strict the women's house rules and risk management policies are; some of the men's groups can match but most are more lax, at least in practice if not in policy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kappamd

For some reason it won't let me post the picture, but KKG tweeted a pic of some of the badges on display at HQ.

http://ow.ly/i/deh7/original

I am DYING over the turquoise. SO PRETTY!

That is gorgeous! Even better in person... Wouldn't a turquoise badge be something? Maybe for our 150th

It is blue, after all!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzTheta

And I (happily) no longer have "badge envy". There were two large display cases showing the variety and variation in Theta badges since 1870. Yes, of course there were Dyers, but there were other, equally stunning, badges. I fell in love with two of the "flat" badges. But through the years, the kite shape was maintained along with all the other important features of the badge.

Yay! That's awesome. But with that teaser you definitely owe us some pictures- or at the very least, detailed descriptions! I'm curious about your plan B.

As an aside, several groups had their conventions recently or will soon... any interesting badge photos there, or new badges revealed?

AOII Angel · #**3664** 06-28-2011, 11:10 PM

I just got back from AOII convention with a few pictures!

First, this is a picture of a GPhiB Executive Board badge that belongs to an AOII Foundation staff member. I begged her to wear it one day so I could see it, and she happily complied!

The next group of badges all belong to a Past International President of AOII. She graciously allowed me to photograph her badges.

The first is an all pearl badge. This style is no longer offered, but an "all pearl" badge with only Pi points is now sold instead.

This is a rare white gold badge with all ruby O. Of course, she had access to the AOII vault.

This is another rare white gold badge with alternating rubies and pearls.

This is the AOII Executive Board pin. It is an AOII diamond badge on a disk surrounded by diamonds with a pin on back. It can be worn as a pin or a pendant.

honeychile · #**3665** 06-29-2011, 02:34 PM

^ Wow! Just... WOW!

txAOII_15 · #**3666** 06-29-2011, 09:08 PM

now im doubly jealous that i wasnt able to go to convention. that badge with the alternating rubies and pearls is simply stunning

SWTXBelle · #**3667** 06-29-2011, 09:54 PM

LOVE that G Phi B exec board badge! Thanks for posting!

AOII Angel · #**3668** 06-30-2011, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

LOVE that G Phi B exec board badge! Thanks for posting!

I was so excited when she told me she had that badge! The picture does NOT do it justice. The white enamel is so unique, and the graduated pearls on the letters accentuate the enamel. It's absolutely beautiful. I was pretty excited to come home with pictures of GPhiB and AOII exec board badges.

IrishLake · #**3669** 06-30-2011, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzTheta

I have just returned from visiting Kappa Alpha Theta IHQ. I should have planned a week there. Was totally blown away by the archivist, Noraleen DuVall Young, and the archives, as well as the exhibits, and the entire HQ.

I did take pictures and will try to upload them but I tell you in advance: I am a horrible photographer and it was challenging to get photos of the badges. However, I have a PLAN B for sharing photos so all is not lost.

The jewelry was fascinating and remarkable in so many regards. The art deco period jewelry was outrageous. Heck, everything was outrageous.

And I (happily) no longer have "badge envy". There were two large display cases showing the variety and variation in Theta badges since 1870. Yes, of course there were Dyers, but there were other, equally stunning, badges. I fell in love with two of the "flat" badges. But through the years, the kite shape was maintained along with all the other important features of the badge.

Definitely planning a return visit.

ETA: I looked at the information on when my chapter became a Theta chapter and saw a photo of the local sorority's badge. And - it was a "coffin shape: very similar to Phi Tau and some other "coffin" badges posted here. Huh.

Hello?????? Still waiting!

AZTheta · #**3670** 06-30-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrishLake

Hello?????? Still waiting!

My pictures are horrible. All blurry. Disappointed. My plan B is this: our archivist has scans of most of the badges that are in the display cases, and she graciously offered to send me copies. I will be asking her to send what she can, when she can. Holiday weekend coming and she only works part time, so as soon as she's able to respond, I'll be zipping over here to share with all y'all (been hanging with some Southern ladies, can't you tell? I didn't say "you guys").

There was an art deco piece that I died over. I don't even know how to describe it. I do have some not-great-shots of it if you want me to post it. It's a figurehead wearing a Theta badge. It's just outrageously beautiful.

The bar pins, OMG, the bar pins... the rings... the necklaces... the bracelets...I even went through old Balfour catalogs while I was in the archives. Freaked out at what was offered. Seems like Theta (and other GLOs) COAs could be put on just about anything. So much more variety than today. And the prices. Don't even ask.

I definitely want to do what thetygerlily did - volunteer a week to help the archivist - she has so much to do. And she is the sweetest, most amazing woman, with an encyclopedic knowledge of GLOs. She's my new best friend (next to ThetaPrincess).

IrishLake · #**3671** 06-30-2011, 11:06 AM

Let me know the next time you go to HQ, I'm less 2 hours away!

IrishLake · #**3672** 06-30-2011, 11:19 AM

So... this one is on that site. It's framed. I'm eyeballing it for rescue. Can anyone else concur that it looks like the enamel is damanged between the stars? Almost like it's melted? It looks old to me...

thetaj · #**3673** 06-30-2011, 11:54 AM

^ Saw this. A little strange. It does look like it's damaged and the color of the gold does make it look like an older badge. I was just very

when I saw this go up. I think I'm going to rescue one of the others that recently went up but I just don't understand why people don't return them to their chapter!!!

KSUViolet06 · #**3674** 06-30-2011, 12:24 PM

I love it when people post their Exec Board/National President/etc. badges. They're my fave.

I had the opportunity to see our National President's badge and EC badges at Convention last year. They were breathtaking!

There are pics somewhere in here!

AZTheta · #**3675** 06-30-2011, 12:47 PM

/swerve - off topic

Word to the wise: or, CAVEAT EMPTOR.

I messaged the seller of the two standard badges, asking her to please post photos of the back of the badges. Interesting that she has not responded, and she posted a stock photo from the website. I find it odd that she has THREE standard 10K badges for sale as "extras" (list price is $115 each). I suspect that she is selling goldclad badges (retail $30-35). Where did she obtain these? Regardless, it is a problematic situation and violates the badge agreement (see the website, latest issue of the Magazine, and also see the OP for specifics on badge "ownership").

As for the framed badge...it looks like a standard badge, nothing out of the ordinary, with some enamel damage. Since you can't inspect the back of the badge, you can't verify gold content or provenance.

/back to BT