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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
2009 NOAC Hammerstone Scout Museum Patches
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. I have been told in no uncertain terms that this items were not authorized by Occoneechee lodge. I do not yet know whether the Occoneechee Council authorized them, but that seems doubtful.
The originator of these pieces has an established track record of creating such items for national events. His creations from 2002 are listed as ZS4-ZS6 and ZX1 under Occoneechee lodge. Others have used wording, like these, to imply status as lodge issues but have not been listed.
Greg Grimes sent me this image over the weekend. They’re not his pieces and I believe he got the image online. Normally I do not lift images like this, but since these are not authentic issues, I don’t see a problem.
Let me be clear. My biases are well known. These are NOT issues of Occoneechee lodge and I doubt they were authorized by the Occoneechee Council. I consider them spoofs, at best. Collect them if you wish with that knowledge in hand. Know that doing so encourages the further creation of such items. I am of a split mind as to whther or not these should be listed as private issues for Occoneechee lodge as the 2002 patches. The use of the “WWW” and OA arrowhead logo inclines me towards listing them. If listed they would be the ZS7-ZS12, and ZX2-ZX7 for this lodge.
I was not at NOAC and have no knowledge of whether this museum actually had a Founders Day exhibit, or who may have authorized them, or what reception these items received from those in authority. The BSA has expressed great concern and interest in branding lately and is exercising greater control in the past over the use of their logos, names, trade marks and service marks. I wouldn’t expect the folks in Irving to look too kindly upon such a blatant use, if it is not duly authorized.
Feel free to comment.
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Korean Proverb
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"Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers. It may not be difficult to store up in the mind a vast quantity of face within a comparatively short time, but the ability to form judgments requires the severe discipline of hard work and the tempering heat of experience and maturity."
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:
- Lodge 270: More NOAC Issues
Posted on Monday, August 3rd, 2009 in Skyuka 270 – Views: (75)
Skyuka lodge appears to be in the running for the most NOAC patches issued by a lodge in the Carolinas. Back in the Spring of 2008 the lodge issued four two part sets as fundraisers for this event, with a design that was reminiscent of a classic Coca-Cola commercial.
- OA Blue Book Going “Web 2.0″
Posted on Friday, August 7th, 2009 in OAImages News – Views: (68)
One of the big items of discussion at the recent pre-NOAC TOR was the fate of Blue Book. For those who don’t know, the various legal issues in which this became entangled are now resolved. The new editor in chief of the Blue Book is Roy More. His desire is to maintain this resource in electronic and online forms.
- OA Founders on Patches
Today at NOAC will celebrate the memory and legacy of the founders of the Order of the Arrow with the traditional Founders Day events. Events center around exhibit and displays from the lodges. Many of the exhibits highlight items, customs, or traditions from the lodge’s home area.
If you enjoy the content on this site, please make sure to subscribe to the RSS feed.
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"Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."
Ronald Reagan
Click the link and Read the article. It is sad to see that some people with influence are caught up in their liberal idealism.
http://www.bloomingtonalternative.com/node/10075
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"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act."
George Orwell
Occoneechee 104 QC1?
This is an old story. It’s been heard before in other lodges, only the details change. It’s the story of a patch that the lodge leadership rejected, and believed destoryed, turning up years later in the hands of a collector or dealer. This time it happened close to home.
Occoneechee lodge issued four chenilles (C6-C9) in 2004. One was released at each of the lodge’s major events that year and was the “premium item” in the trading post. They were eagerly purchased and the lodge earned a tidy sum from their sale. However, the lodge was not pleased with how one of the chenilles turned out. It’s somewhat of a hybrid of the C8 and C9 designs. It was decided this particular one would not be issued and they were entrusted to the lodge chief for destruction. This is where things start to get murky.
Greg Grimes reports the lodge chief that year was a student at Campbell University. He had agreed to, at least, cut these up before disposing of them. Apparently he did not do this. Instead it seems they were dumped into a dumpster on the campus of Campbell University. According to Greg, it gets murkier still.
Continue Reading »
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Calvin Coolidge
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George Orwell
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Francis Keppel
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Samuel Beckett
One of the big items of discussion at the recent pre-NOAC TOR was the fate of Blue Book. For those who don’t know, the various legal issues in which this became entangled are now resolved. The new editor in chief of the Blue Book is Roy More. His desire is to maintain this resource in electronic and online forms. It has become impractical to publish this in book form as was done for the first six editions.
The goal is to create an “ever green” resource, with active input by collectors. It will be going “Web 2.0″ in many respects. OAImages, will remain an integral part in this. This does not mean uncontrolled anarchy though, with lodge listings being changed at will by anyone who chooses. Roy writes:
…OA Blue Book will not become a ‘Wikipedia’. This is a standard’s (sic) project which means there must be structure, discipline and stability. That said, Blue Book will become much more open for all…
There are still many issues that need to be worked out. Roy More has started a blog at oabluebook.com to discuss some of the various issues that need to be resolved. There are only a few posts there now, but he plans to update this frequently. Please check this out and comment on the posts there.
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"The United States stands at the pinnacle of world power. This is a solemn moment for the American democracy. For with primacy in power is joined an awe-inspiring accountability for the future."
Winston Churchill
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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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Occoneechee Council Founders Day Exhibit Sets
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