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January 6th, 2012
A Guide to Identifying Chinese Fakes on eBay
My friend Jason Spangler, also known as the Santee Swapper and host of the Scouting Hot Finds newsletters and podcast has assembled a free guide to spotting the fake Chinese made OA patches currently appearing on eBay.
A Guide to Identifying Recent Chinese Fakes on eBay
This is an extensive 24 page treatise on these patches, with many illustrations. It documents the fakes produced by various sellers over the past several years. It also discusses the marketing strategies of those who produced these fakes including the stealing of images from this website.
This is a must read for almost any collector who wants to avoid being taken by these fakes.
Read the Full Post on blog.oaimages.com
December 23rd, 2011
Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery (III)
[caption id="attachment_6836" align="alignleft" width="90" border="0" caption="Wahunsenakah 333 Piankatank Chapter Winter 2011 Service"]
I have written several posts on this blog about patch designs that appear to have been copied or "inspired" by other designs, quite often from different lodges. For example see the first and second posts using this same title. Another example is this post on more "inspired" patches.
The patch pictured at the top of this post was a recent chapter event issue from Piankatank chapter of Wahunsenakah lodge. (Editor's note: Please see correction in comments). The lodge is chartered to the Colonial Virginia Council which could easily explain the American Revolution theme of the design. However, the lodge totem is a duck so the hawk's head might appear to be an unusual choice.
A friend gave this to me. He acquired it a Trade-O-Ree and thought of me once he saw the design. It's obviously taken from Tsoiotsi Tsogalii's 2010 SR-7B conclave flaps, listed on this site as S34? and S35?.
Perhaps someone in Wahunsenakah can fill us in on the story behind Piankatank chapter's choice of patch design. The artist of the lodge 70 flaps should be flattered that someone in another lodge was so impressed by his design that he chose to adapt it for his chapter's event patch.
Read the Full Post on blog.oaimages.com
December 22nd, 2011
One of These Things Is Not Like the Other...
"One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn't belong, Can you tell which thing is not like the others. By the time I finish my song?"
How many of you remember this song from "Sesame Street"? I saw a friend of mine at the Winston-Salem Trade-O-Ree last weekend. He usually has a great assortment of patches, many classic material and items from our area. However he wants it to be known that he isn't just interested in old patches, so he puts the frame pictured here on his table. I'll let him remain anonymous unless he chooses to step forward here.
One of those patches seems oddly out of place (really two but one sticks out more!). Do you see it? It's not quite as obvious as recognizing letters and numbers, but still very easy to see! Every time I see this frame I chuckle a bit. It's a good way to start a conversation. Now you all can join me in a good natured chuckle.
Read the Full Post on blog.oaimages.com
December 7th, 2011
Of Thee We Sing... About Our Lodge
Last weekend I rode with Greg Grimes and Roger Ward and paid a visit to our mutual friend, Larry Banks. On the way there I was shown a book, published in 1938, given to members of Chappegat Lodge.
The book included the lodge by laws and rules. It included instructions on how to wear the "bands", as the OA Sash was called then, and lodge pin. Specifically, Brotherhood members were instructed that the bands and arrow on the lodge pin were to be worn pointed toward the left shoulder. It was also stated that the lodge pin could not be given to a non-member of either sex. This refers to the custom, still practiced today, of fraternity brothers giving their pins to their girl friends as a token of affection. The centerfold was the brother's membership certificate.
The music and lyrics of the OA song and the lodge song were also printed in the book.
Read the Full Post on blog.oaimages.com
December 5th, 2011
From China... Again
There has been some discussion recently on patch-l about an eBay seller currently using the id, "discountbar". He is operating out of Huhhot, China and selling fake Boy Scout patches.
Several members of that list have pointed out that he is stealing images of real patches from this site and using them to illustrate his auctions. Winning bidders report they do not receive the items pictured, but instead get computer designed fakes of those patches.
Read the Full Post on blog.oaimages.com
Archive for August, 2009
- NOAC Power Tags
August 19, 2009 – Interesting idea. I have to wonder about one thing, though.
The BSA has been rather restrictive in its web policies vis a vis publishing full names or contact information of its youth members. How did the Order of the Arrow National Committee resolve this? Was the belief that these tags would only be in the possession of registered BSA members sufficient to assuage any concerns? Perhaps someone who was there, or involved with this program can comment.
Popularity: 5% [?]
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"When you control the ball, you control the score. "
Pele
Now that NOAC is over we can start to get a better grasp on what the lodges issued for this event. I would not be surprised if there’s ultimately close to 1500 issues from the approximately 300 lodges. Keep those images coming.
Today’s question: Which lodge issued the most patches for NOAC. Skyuka 270 had 14 pieces and they are not a lodge known for its large quantity of issues. Has anyone issued more?
I think there’s at least 11 issues from Amangamek Wipit (not yet online) so they could be a contender with a few more patches. Wipala Wiki has been known for a large number of NOAC patches in past years, but I’ve not seen much from them yet.
On the other extreme: Were there any lodges in attendance that issue no patches for NOAC?
Popularity: 12% [?]
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"Little progress can be made by merely attempting to repress what is evil. Our great hope lies in developing what is good."
Calvin Coolidge
Are there too many posts to handle? Maybe you missed out on a great post. Here’s a quick digest of the top posts from last week that you may want to check out:
- Favorite NOAC Patches?
I’m spending time today trying to get images of NOAC items ready to add to this site, and to catch up on email that needs to be answered. I probably have a few hundred images to look through; some are surely duplicates. I also can’t get my inbox below 250 unanswered messages.
- Lodge 270: 2009 Events Issues
Posted on Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 in Skyuka 270 – Views: (61)
Skyuka lodge has issued two events patches so far this year. The banquet patch was just recently added to this site. I thought I previously covered the Pre-Dixie patch but don’t see a blog entry for it. I think these both slipped through the cracks here.
- Occoneechee Council Founders Day Exhibit Sets
At NOAC there appeared six sets of patches for “Occoneechee Council Hammerstone Council Founders Day Exhibit”. The sets use the OA arrowhead logo, a fleur d’lis, and “WWW” in their design. They are being commonly sold and traded now as issues of Occoneechee lodge.
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Popularity: 5% [?]
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"Truth is not only violated by falsehood it may be outraged by silence."
Henri Fredric Amiel -
Mystery Unami Flap
I was recently sent this image of an odd Unami flap. The person who sent it, whose name I have lost already, didn’t know what it was. I cannot find any listing on the Unami page that matches this flap. I know there are several regular readers here who are knowledgeable about Unami’s issues.
Does anyone know anything about this item?
Popularity: 12% [?]
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"...The task is overwhelming, and the chance is slight. We must take the chance or die."
Robert Hutchins
I’m spending time today trying to get images of NOAC items ready to add to this site, and to catch up on email that needs to be answered. I probably have a few hundred images to look through; some are surely duplicates. I also can’t get my inbox below 250 unanswered messages. So, I thought I’d ask readers their opinions about the patches from the recent NOAC.
Usually I see at least a few patches that will strike me as exceptionally well done. The art and the execution will both be great. The design will be innovative and original. This will be a patch or set that makes me go, “Wow!” While I have seen some very nice patches, none have yet struck me quite that way. Maybe I’m becoming jaded from seeing so many.
So readers, what are your favorite issues from this past NOAC? Tell us your favorites. Add your comments to this post. Images will be appreciated.
Popularity: 9% [?]
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"The quickest way to reach the point of success is to follow a straight line that carves through failure."
Josh Traeger
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Calvin Coolidge
- New Merit Badges for 2009 & 2010
August 14, 2009 – What do you think of these new merit badges? Robotics and SCUBA will be the cool ones to the kids. Scouting Heritage will be a favorite of the “old farts”.
Popularity: 6% [?]
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"Nothing can resist the human will that will stake even its existence on its stated purpose. "
Benjamin Disraeli
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Josh Billings
Atta Kulla Kulla 185 S36?
Since I could not be at NOAC this year, I am finding out about NOAC issues later than some of you out there. Brad Hutto sends word of the three issues from Atta Kulla Kulla lodge.
The lodge issued a two part set with a grey border as their “trader” patches. There was also a SMY bordered flap, using the same design as the trader flap, that was designated their delegate piece. These have been added to my NC and SC 2009 NOAC checklist.
The listing data for these issues are as follows:
| Issue |
Bdr Color/Type |
Bkgd |
Name |
fdl/BSA |
Comments |
| S35? |
GRY |
R |
M/C |
GRY |
GRY |
fdl; 2009 NOAC SR5 |
| S36? |
SMY |
R |
M/C |
GRY |
GRY |
fdl; 2009 NOAC SR5 |
| X22? |
GRY |
R |
M/C |
GRY |
GRY |
fdl; 2009 NOAC |
| Atta Kulla Kulla lodge page on OAImages.com |
Popularity: 10% [?]
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"There are some who've forgotten why we have a military. It's not to promote war; it's to be prepared for peace."
Ronald Reagan
Skyuka 270 eX2009-1?
Skyuka lodge has issued two events patches so far this year. The banquet patch was just recently added to this site. I thought I previously covered the Pre-Dixie patch but don’t see a blog entry for it. I think these both slipped through the cracks here.
Both patches have the same odd shape that features the lodge’s double-headed thunderbird totem, along with an American Indian and what appears to be a Scout in an early uniform. If the lodge follows its custom of recent years there will probably be three more patches with a similar design issued over the course of the year. Thanks to Brad Hutto for both these images.
The listing data for these items are as follows:
Continue Reading »
Popularity: 11% [?]
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"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people."
W. C. Fields
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Recent OAImages News
January 14th, 2012
An OAImages iPad App?
Some of those who know me personally, know that I have gone over to the "Dark Side" and have started using Apple products. I bought an iMac a couple of months ago and just recently got an iPad. My brother is trying to tell me that my Droid's days are numbered.
I really like my iPad and started day dreaming about an OAImages app for it. I have no idea how to go about writing this and it would take me into an entirely new area from what I know. It's not something that would happen easily or soon. Here's your chance to give feedback. What do you think about an OAImages app? What would you put in it? Do you have any thoughts on how it would be distributed or how much it would cost?
Please feel free to comment. Comments are moderated for those who have not successfully had a comment published on this blog before in order to control spam. I will do my best to approve comments as quickly as possible in order to facilitate a discussion.
Read the Full Post
October 4th, 2011
Indian Summer and Summit Corps Patches
I have added special pages on this site for the 2011 Indian Summer and 2011 Summit Corps. I still have a few images to add but most of what I have images for is now on the site. Thanks for Rick Horne for most of these images.
To view these items, go to OA Images: National and Special Events Patches page and select either of these events from the "Other Specialties" drop down box.
Read the Full Post
August 27th, 2011
Coming out of Hiding About April 1st
It's kind of odd to come out of hiding to post about a topic like this.
I'm hearing from some brothers that there have been gullible readers to this blog over the years. I would have thought it was obvious from the context of the posts, but the various posts made on this blog throughout the years that have appeared on APRIL FIRST are all satire. None of them are true. Read them and chuckle but please do not complain to your friendly OA National Committee members, Scout Executives, lodge advisers, or official website administrators about the "changes" that are "announced" in them.
Read the Full Post
March 31st, 2011
Comment Spam
This is strictly an "FYI" post for those familiar with the issues facing those who maintain blogs and message boards where readers can post comments.
Recently I had been having issues here with comment spam getting past this blog's filters. I deleted the inappropriate posts as quickly as I could but this was still unacceptable to me, as well as additional work. I since have required that readers register before they're allowed to post comments here. That seems to have stopped the spammers.
I still see a number of probable spammers, mainly from Russian domains, registering on this blog but so far none have had their comments posted successfully.
I may test my luck for a short period of time in the near future. At some unannounced time, I will turn off the registration requirement for posting comments for a day or two. I want to see if the spammers have been chased away, or if they're just awaiting an easy opportunity to push their garbage
Read the Full Post
February 11th, 2011
Change in Comments Policy
This blog is being hit with a large number spam comments lately. There have been over 12,000 attempts to spam the blog with comments just within the past 60 days. Recently a few dozen comments, hawking service and goods I deem inappropriate for this blog, made it past the filters. Since I don't desire to spend more time deleting the spam as I find it and don't want inappropriate information to sit on my blog, I am tightening up the policy on commenting here.
Those who wish to comment must now register and be logged in before being to post comments. Registration is free and is not the same as membership to this site. This is a common practice on many blogs especially among sites run by more "traditional media" type companies.
Read the Full Post
February 9th, 2011
Gone Home: Matt Kirkland
It is with shock and sadness that I pass along this message Tim Brown forwarded to me this morning:
With deep regret I must announce that my son, Matthew Thomas Kirkland, 31, passed from this world at 9:30 this evening. Matt suffered a massive stroke last night. We are having Matthew cremated and will hold a private ceremony in Memphis at a later date. For those who knew Matt, if you desire, to make a donation to the Transatlantic Council, Boy Scouts of America in his name. http://www.tac-bsa.org/Home.html
Matt was a significant contributor to this site, especially for Black Eagle lodge 482. He will be missed.
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Posted in Shared Items by John E. Pannell on August 19th, 2009 at 12:11 pm 
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