Standard Pennant - Unami / T.I.C.

Pictured above are more examples of the Standard Pennant Company in Big Run, PA.  Unami Lodge and Treasure Island have used this company extensively over the years.  The Chenilles pictured are just a few of the items produced by this company for Scouting which had long reaching effects on future patch productions.  It is likely that Standard did most of the early Unami patches as well as many surrounding lodges in the Pennsylvania area.

Noted for their detail and quality these patches hold their own against most all competitors in the Chenille field. Many of the old Summer Camp Pennants you see from the 1930's to 1960's came via Standard.  A great collectible unto itself, the company has produced many high quality and expensive items over the years. 

Region 7 Northern Wisconsin Canoe Base "Hat Diamond"

In Northern Wisconsin olde Region 7 of the BSA operated a Canoe Base.  The base was noted for for its distinctive logo which pictured a Pine / Spruce tree superimposed over a Canoe with crossed Paddles.  These patches have become very collectible with the closure of the base and more emphasis placed on the nearlby Norther Tier High Adventure Bases in the Boundary Waters.  Yet these patches have held their own because of the good looks and color scheme. The Staff Hat Diamond pictured above is one of the harder to get patches.  Made by Midwest Embroidery out of Chicago most of these were sewn to caps, to find a loose one is a treat.  Great looking Base Patch!

1946 Region V - "Wings Over Dixie" Felt

In 1946 the Air Scout program in the United States was at its zenith.  With the end of World War II and aviation interest at its peak, the Air Scouting movement was popular around the country.  Most Regions sponsored events for Air Scouts / Explorers.  These were usually held at Air Force Bases or Naval Air Stations.  One of the most popular was the early "Wings over Dixie" sponsored by Region V of the BSA.  This event went on for about five years and originally started in 1946 at Keesler Air Force Base near Biloxi, Mississippi.

The felt patch pictured above is one of the rarest Region V Patches ever produced.  The event had no more than 200 participants due to the distance many would have to travel to get there.  In addition with the patches being flocked felt they simply did not stand up well to time, washings and moths.  Very few have survived.  They recall an era when the U.S. was still in the euphoria of the World War victory and along with that the desire for a lot of youth to participate in military type activities. Being able to attend an Air Encampment and witness firsthand WWII aircraft was a big deal for many Air Scouts / Explorers.  The patch above became a source of great pride upon its awarding.  A great piece of Scouting history if you are lucky enough to find or own one.

Region V 1955 World Jamboree Neckerchief

Canada hosted the 1955 World Jamboree and due to its proximity the BSA sent a large contingent to the event.  As in the past the Troops were divided into Regions.  Some Regions produced special patches and others came up with unique items.  Region V (composed of Scouts from Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas) sent their scouts with a special "8th World Jamboree" Neckerchief.  The above mint Necker was from the Phil Partlett Memorial Scout Auction of the West Los Angeles Area Council.

A unique collectible from Region V that ranks up with the 1960 Jamboree Region V Advenure Award Rocker.  

Blue Beaver Trail - Lookout Mountain, TN

Many years ago I hiked this trail as a Scout in the heat of July.  The Trail was founded by my Scoutmaster's father, Mr. Gutav "Gus" Geiger of Signal Mountain, TN.  When we went to hike the trail we camped out at Mr. Geiger's home.  At the time I was the Senior Patrol Leader of our Troop (284 in Florence, AL).  In prepping for the hike we looked at the map and I remember Mr. Geiger (my Scoutmaster and his father) telling me to look carefully at it.  The trail started at the old Nature Center and meandered up the side of Lookout Mountain.  Needless to say no one seemed excited to hike this in the heat.  So I looked at the map carefully and realized there were no questions to answers - only points on the trail to shoot azimuths and go from there.  Quickly realizing I could start at the top of the Mountain and shoot reverse azimuth's I would accomplish the goal of hiking the trail.  So that is what we did much to the delight of the Geiger men.  So fast were we on the hike that we extended it out another 6-7 miles to cover the overlying and longer Nolichucky Jack Trail.

The patch pictured above was designed by Mr. Gus Geiger and shows a Union "Beaver" aiming his Cannon at Lookout Mountain.  Gus had shared this design with Mr. Ken Humphreys of Shiloh Military Trails fame, who commented in a letter to Gus that "this is the best looking trail patch I have ever seen".  The originals were a swiss loom patch, colorful and hard to earn.  To many Scouts of the Deep South the Blue Beaver Trail was a real treat to hike and even greater thrill to complete - especially when you received this beautiful patch.  The trail is still active to this day.  Check it out! 

Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base

Just back from the Northern Tier where the weather was perfect and we had no rain for over a week.  We will share one of the first C.L. Sommers Participant Patches from the base.  Ely and the boundary Waters are pristine and a rare treat.  Much like some of the earlier Region X and C.L. Sommers Participant Patches.  These were only awarded to those completing the trek.  After my experience, I may take up collecting these unique patches from our oldest High Adventure Base.

Northern Tier - Region Ten Felt Patch

Pictured above is the first Region Ten Wilderness Canoe Trail Patch from Northern Tier.  This was a felt patch and pictured a canoeing Indian with no eyes.  Great collectible patch.  Thought I would put this out here as the last post for a couple of weeks as I will be canoeing the Northern Tier.  "Hol-ry"!

Cowikee Lodge 224 Vigil Pin & Arrow

Cowikee Lodge 224 of Dothan, AL was blessed with the good fortune of having Mr. Gene Ramage as their first Vigil Honoree.  He kept his Vigil at the 1952 Va Conference and was given most appropriately the name "First in the Dance" as 224's first Vigil.  From here he would go on to a long and rewarding service to his Lodge, Council, Camp and Region.  Among the Scouts he mentored were DSA Awardee Morgan Weed who was Killed in Action in Cambodia, May 1970 and his friend Frank Gainess III.  Morgan kept his Vigil in July 1961 and was known as "In The Woods". In October Frank kept his Vigil at the Boy Scout Reservation (later Camp Alaflo) and was known as "In The Pines".  Thus was their connection to one another in the Lodge, as friends and followers of Gene Ramage.

Gene decided sometime in the late 1950's or 1960 to start a tradition of presenting a specially made Vigil Pin of Cross Calumets to each Vigil Honoree.  The Pin was made by a local jeweler in Dothan, AL and had a small chain with a clasped Arrow attached.  On the reverse of the Vigil Trianagle was the Vigil Honoree's name.  The above pictured Pin belongs to Mr. Frank Gaines III and was exactly like those of other 1960's Honorees.  Sometime in the mid to late 1960's this tradition ceased so taking into account all who kept their Vigil with Cowikee during this time there is likely less than 50 of these Pins.  Making it as valuable or more so than most Caldwell OA Pins from the 1920's - 40's.  And you thought a "Three Cloud" Patch was rare!

Camp Ki-Ro-Li - Standard Pennant

In the early 1900's Standard Pennant of Big Run, PA became famous for their Felt & Leather work.  They were known to make many early Boy Scout items from Pennants (thus the name) to Patches to Leather Rounds.  They also did Chenilles for all types of organizations.  They were the gold standard by which all companies measured themselves.  Unami Lodge and the Philadelphia Area Council used them.  Many Treasure Island Camp items came from Standard.  Their work was superior in quality and held up quite well - even felt patches.

The above patch is an example of their work.  This is the Camp Ki-Ro-Li Arrowhead Felt from the 1930's.  There were likely multiple Camp Ki-Ro-Li's, but this one is believed to be from the Ouachita Valley Council in Louisiana.  The Camp got it's name from the three major benefactors of the Camp - Kiwanis Club; Rotary Club & Lions Club (much like an earlier Standard Patch on this blog - Camp Rotex).  It is a very rare patch and as you can see, Standard felt good about their products - "If it is made of felt or leather 'WE MAKE IT".  If you have one of these then you will understand the quality and detail of this age gone by.

Region V Scouter Training Award

Here is a really interesting patch from the 1950's.  The Region V Scouter Training Award Patch had the roman numerals I - VIII surrounding the patch.  They appeared to be Rockers that could be cut-off and earned by each level.  It was less cost prohibitive to have the entire patch made with the Rockers sewn in, thus some came complete as the one above.  I have not really been able to get a read on what the Patch was presented for or what the I - VIII represent (levels of training you would assume).  Yet it is still one of the harder to find Region V patches - especially Mint & in tact.  If anyone has any ideas on what these were present for please e-mail me and let us all know.