Back in 2010 I announced the formation of Tschipey Achtu lodge as a result of the merger of Ty-Ohni 95 and Ganeodiyo 417.   At the time I was told they would use the number 397, which is also their council number.   This created a bit of controversy as that number is currently in use by Chilantakoba lodge in Louisiana.   I also announced their first flap.   Other than a 2010 Jamboree issue no further news from this lodge made it to me.

I was talking with a Roger Ward last night who was at the recent Winter South Carolina Trade-O-Ree.  He tells me it has not been quiet in that lodge.   The use of 397 was problematic.  Many wanted to choose a different number.   Some wanted to claim the number zero, but that was not well received given the special place Unami 1 holds in the Order of the Arrow.   The Scout Executive, I am told, stepped in and told the lodge they will use the lower number from the two merged lodges.

The lodge is now known as Tschipey  Achtu 95.    I have updated the site to reflect this current information.   Several new issues have also been added.

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.

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.

Tsoiotsi Tsogalii 70 S34?

Tsoiotsi Tsogalii 70 S35?

The lodge 70 flaps feature the red tailed hawk (the lodge totem) in American Revolution garb.  Behind him is General Greene’s flag.   The oldest council in the lodge’s current territory was the General Greene Council.  The Battle of Guilford Court House took place in Greensboro, NC, the headquarter city of the current Old North State Council.

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.

Chappegat Lodge Song

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.

Being an amateur musician I was really interested in this song.  I suspect the melody is original but no credit is given to a lyricist or composer.   I plunked it out on my piano and played it on my recorder several times  It’s jaunty, but in my opinion not easy to sing.   To my ear the phrasing is awkward and doesn’t seem very natural.    The average adult male will struggle to hit the high notes if sung in the written key.   (Scouts sing on key?  HA!)  Still, it’s a neat look into the Order’s past.

Also note how the lodge name is spelled in the song, “Chapegat”.   Is this an error or did the lodge change the spelling of its name some time between this booklet being published and when the lodge’s first patches were issued.

How many other lodges have or have had lodge songs?

Fake 411 S1

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.

Among the items sold have been at least one 411 Unilachtego S1.   A collector, who shall remain anonymous for now unless he chooses to reveal himself, after seeing the 411 S1 up for auction emailed discoutbar, asking for an image of the actual patch the winner would receive.  The image at the top of this post is what was sent in reply.   It’s nicely done, but still an obvious fake.

Another patch-l member asked this seller where his patches were coming from.  He responded they were made by “sinapatchbar”.   Long term readers of this blog might remember this seller’s name.   Someone formerly sold on eBay under the name sina-patchbar.   I wrote about him on this blog back in 2007.

I am currently trying to work with eBay to get his auctions pulled as he is taking images from this site to be used in selling his items: both misrepresentation and a violation of eBay policies.

Remember back to 2006-7 and the Cloth Talk podcast?   It was a great resource for the hobby and a lot of fun both for listeners and participants.  Alas, “real world” commitments made it impossible for that to continue and the podcast disappeared.  Since then, there have been no patch collecting podcasts; at least none that I know of.  That has now changed.

Jason Spangler has been experimenting with a lot of different tools and resources on his website.   His most recent endeavor is podcasting.   His podcast is called Scouting Hot Finds Radio.    The most recent episode can be found here:

http://scoutinghotfinds.com/11/scouting-hot-finds-radio-segregated-scouting-part-1.html?mid=525545

The most recent episode includes an interview with Jason Shull where they discuss the history and patches of segregated Scouting in the United States.   Not only does he intend this to be a podcast that one can listen to on demand, he also plans to broadcast live and has set up a phone number where listeners can call in to his show and be put on the air.

I’m excited to see podcasting return to the hobby and look forward to great things from Jason.

Allohawk Menewi S1?

Allohak Menewi lodge, formed from the merger of Enda Lechauhanne 57 and Nachamawat 275, just issued its first flap.  This will be listed on the site as “S1?”.   The lodge will continue to use the number 57.  Thanks to Gap Danish and Nathan Pearlman for supplying scans of this new issue.

There is a notable history of mergers and name changes in this lodge’s history. Both Enda Lechauhanne and Nachamawat are product of mergers themselves.   If one wishes to collect this lodge’s predecessors there are now 15 different names to seek out.   See this lodge’s merger history for the details.

I am told 1400 of these flaps were produced and know of no restrictions being placed upon them.   At this time I know of no other issues from the lodge.

On a related note, I am wondering if another merger is soon to happen in western Pennsylvania.   I was looking at the “About Us” page on the Laurel Highlands Council website.  Look carefully at the map of the council near the bottom of the patch.    How many councils do you know that are not continguous, with the territory of another council splitting it into two or more pieces?   Does this bode ill for the Westmoreland-Fayette Council and Wagion lodge?   Do any readers know anything more about this unusual situation?

Gila 378 S76?

Gila lodge has joined the growing group of lodges that have issued flaps for breast cancer awareness. Thanks to Dave Panko for this image. Like other flaps of this kind, the color pink is prominent in the design.   Other than the use of pink, there is nothing on this flap to indicate its intended purpose.

I have listed this as “S76?” on this site.  Collectors of the breast cancer flaps now have one more to seek for their collection.   The various other flaps can be seen here.

Noquet 29 First Flap

Noquet lodge, formed from the merger of Chippewa 29 and Migisi Opawgan 162, has recently issued its first flap.  I have listed it on this site as “S1?”.   I offer my apologies for not being able to immediately recall and credit who sent this image to me.

Roger Ward tells me this flap has an unusual restriction at this time.   He says the restriction on the flap was one per “active uniform”, at their first function. As we understand that, if one brought in multiple uniforms they could get multiple flaps, one per uniform. 1000 flaps were reportedly sold. He also states the lodge has another 2,500 that will be distributed one per OA function, and after about 6-8 months they will open up sales if there are any left.

Sasquesahanough 11 S1

Sasquesahanough lodge has formed in the New Birth of Freedom Council, headquartered in Mechanicsburg, PA.  The lodge was created from the merger of Susquehannock XI and Tuckahoe 386.   The name is an early spelling for the Susquehanna River which flows through the council.   The lodge totem is the phoenix and they will use continue to use lodge number 11.

Two flaps have been issued.  The first flap is the silver mylar (SMY) bordered “inaugural year flap, produced in a quantity of 1000.   A orange (ORG) red (RED)* bordered version of this flap was produced in a quantity of 2500 and is listed as the S2.

A page for this lodge is already on the site. Thanks to David Hultberg for the news and images of these first two flaps.

EDIT:

* David Hultberg has assured me the border of this flap is red, the same color as the fleur d’lis.  He does not know why his scanner makes it appear to be different.   If anyone can independently confirm this, please comment.

Lodge 489 Wapsu Sisilija Chapter Patch

Last Fall I posted here about a “whatzit” purported by some to be a chapter patch from Occoneeche lodge.   Some, including this webmaster, were very skeptical and did not believe it.   However we could not identify the patch.   Recently Greg Grimes was sent the image to the left of patches spotted at a recent trade-o-ree that solved this mystery.   Since then, a comment on this site also identified the patch.

As can be seen the “mystery patch” is the central portion cut out from the eA1970 of  Wapsu Sisilija chapter of lodge 489.

We still don’t know why this was cut from the original patch or who did it.  Did someone in the past wish to perpetrate a fraudulent “undiscovered issue” upon a collector?  Did they like the design?  Was the original damaged and this was done to salvage the “good part” of the patch?  We don’t know.   Please feel free to comment if you have further information on this item.

It is good to be skeptical.  Previously unknown patches from the 1970s just don’t turn up that often, especially in large lodges that have been actively collected and documented.   It may take some work and time, but most mysteries can be solved.

David Hultberg reports a new lodge has been formed from the consolidation of Susquehannock XI and Tuckahoe 386. According to him, the new lodge will be known as Sasquesahanough Lodge #11, Home of the Phoenix.

The word “Sasquesahanough” is the 1612 spelling of Susquehanna.

I have no further news yet on when any patches will appear for this new lodge

Since the day this blog was started, I have let readers comment with very little moderating by me.   There is software in place to trap spam comments.   However, spammers have become more clever and spam gets through.  Know, that I get an email when a comment posts.   I mercilessly delete spam as soon as I can.

Thanks to Rick Horne for his continuing efforts to scan the lodge issues from last Summer’s National Jamboree.   He sent another bunch of images last night and I am adding some of them to the site this morning before I head off to work.

Click the link below to see what is already on the site:

2010 National Jamboree Issues

I will add this link to the main page of the site over the weekend.

Ta Tsu Hwa 138 A10

Today is forecast to be a great day here in central North Carolina.  One could call it a “Perfect 10″, especially given what date today is!  In honor of this date full of tens, I thought I would share some “patch tens” with you.   These are a sampling of the tenth listed items of various patch types as recorded on this site and in Blue Book.

First we have A10 from Ta Tsu Hwa 138.    This patch is part of an ongoing series of patches, currently numbering at least 18 by my count, honoring Camp Hale.   Each depicts a member various American Indian tribes.   This lodge is attached to the Indian Nations Council, headquartered in Tulsa, OK.

Pomponio 528 C10

My second “Patch Ten” to share with you is a bit more obscure.   This is the C10 from Pomponio lodge, from the former San Mateo County Council in California.   The lodge merged with Stanford-Oljato 207 to form Ohlone 63 in 1995.  In its latter years the lodge issued several chenilles.  Several were shaped like the lodge’s totem, the mission bell.   The C5 and C10 were both unusual, owing to the small rhinestone added to them.

Next up is an F10.   I had a large number of issues to choose from here.  I chose the F10 from Tejas lodge.   This flap was issued in honor of lodge brother Lance McAlister receiving the Order of the Arrow’s Distinguished Service Award.

The historical issues (H) categories are not commonly used in Blue Book.   Finding a “Patch Ten” here was more difficult.   We have the HS10 from Tonkawa 99.   This flap is a computer embroidered version of the lodge’s  S12, issued for the 1981 NOAC.  This was one of twenty-three “historical issues” the lodge produced in the 1990s.

Tejas 72 F10

Tonkawa 99 HS10

Occoneechee 104 J10

Jacket patches are becoming more common, even if they are now rarely actually worn on jackets.   Their  large size creates an opportunity for patch designers to unleash their creativity with unusual shapes and designs.   Occoneechee lodge has also developed a reputation of sorts for unusual patch designs in recent years.   The J10 from Occoneechee lodge was one of two jacket patches the lodge issued for the 2001 BSA National Jamboree.   Eight tufts of “horsehair”  were added to the 16 point star burst design.

Wichita 35 L10

Wichita 35 had a long tradition of highly restricting their lodge flap.   As a result members were loathe to sew their flap onto their uniforms.  The lodge dealt with this by issuing versions of the flap with the design painted onto leather, intended for uniform wear, giving Wichita lodge an unusual amount of leather (L) issued.  The L10 from this lodge was issued for the lodge’s 75th anniversary and presented to Founders Award recipients.

Yokahu 506 N10

The N (neckerchief) category was a Blue Book innovation, and is reserved for those neckerchiefs produced by direct embroidery, silk screening or similar printing processes.  Most issues from Yokahu lodge are not commonly seen outside of the lodge and are neither well understood or avidly collected on the mainland of the United States.  I have been fortunate throughout the years to have had collectors with contacts in Puerto Rico keep me up to date on the issues from this lodge.   For the “N10″   506 N10

Tukarica 266 P10

The P category, for pie-shaped patches, is another Blue Book innovation.  This category is for those patches, shaped like a piece of pie (including quarter circles and other similar shapes), generally sewn onto a neckerchief.     Tukarica 266 has issued many patches through the years with well-done representations of their cougar totem.   The P10 can certainly be included among these.

The Q category is used for items the lodge had produced and then rejected without releasing them.  It is a rarely used category, however there is a single “Patch Ten” here.    The QS10 Seminole 85 is similar to the S21b, but with a blue border.   There is no image of this item on OAImages.

Unami 1 R10

It is fitting that the oldest “Patch Ten” in this collection come from the mother lodge of the Order of the Arrow.   The Unami 1 R10 was issued for this lodge’s 35th anniversary in 1950.    This is also the first of a surprisingly large number of patches issued by lodges for their 35th anniversary.    Although it is not particularly scarce or valuable, its age alone makes it a classic Order of the arrow issue.

Tsoiotsi Tsogalii 70 S10

I could not include a lodge of patch “Patch Tens” without an issue from my lodge.   Here we have the S10 from Tsoiotsi Tsogalii 70.   This “Bird in Overalls” was issued to lodge brothers who worked one of the lodge’s service weekends in preparation for the 2002 SR-7B Conclave.   This is becoming a slightly more difficult issue to find from a lodge well-known for common flaps.

Shu-Shu-Gah 24 S45+X10

Shu-Shu-Gah lodge’s issues for the 2004 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) feature anthropomorphic herons on the Coney Island boardwalk.   This followed in the tradition of the mildly controversial 2002 NOAC set from Timuquan 340.    The bottom of this two part set is the lodge’s X10.

The last few patches are from categories that often evoke emotional responses among collectors opposed to their listing.   The first of these is the “Y” category which according to Scott Dillard’s explanation published on this site is:

“A broad category of patches and neckerchiefs that for one reason or another do not fit into the main listing. All known prototypes and samples are in this category. Also, patches that cannot be positively confirmed are placed in this category pending future documentation. There are certain patches that are either camp patches, defective patches or other patches that have appeared in previous listings but should not really be part of this catalog. These are also given the “Y” designation so that when collectors unfamiliar with their story chance upon them, they will be able to make an identification.”

Cuyahoga 17 YS10

The only YF10 listed in Blue Book is the Pomponio 528 YF10 for which I have no image.    The Cuyahoga 17 YS10 is a black bordered version of the lodge’s issues for the 75th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow.

Ty-Ohni 95 ZF10?

As defined by Dillard, the “Z” category includes, “Fake. Fraudulent, bogus, unauthorized, phoney, spoof and other privately issued insignia”.   There are a handful of items from this category that are “Patch Tens”.   The first of these is the ZF10? (not yet listed in Blue Book) from Ty-Ohni lodge, produced in honor of lodge brother Zieak McFarland being elected the OA’s Northeast Region Chief for 1994.

Seminole 85 ZS10

The last “Patch Ten” to be depicted here is the ZS10 from Seminole lodge.    This flap is a rebordered version of the lodge’s S16.

I hope you enjoyed this collection of “Patch Tens”.   Now enjoy the rest of this tenth day of the tenth month of 2010!

I had previously passed along an announcement from Roger Ward of a Trade-O-Ree to be held during this Summer’s BSA National Jamboree.     Richard Shields has also asked me to share information about another Trade-O-Ree   that will be held near the Fort A.P. Hill.

2010 NATIONAL JAMBOREE TRADE-O-REE

Sponsored by The Society of Scout Memorabilia Dealers

Fri. July 23rd – Sun. Aug 1st

Fri. 7/23 3pm to 1am; Sat. 7/24 noon to 1am;

Mon-Thur 7/25-7/29 Noon to 11pm

Fri. 7/30–Sat. 7/31 noon to 1am; Sun Aug. 1st noon to 5pm

Buses Welcome                                                                       Plenty of Free Parking

Buy, Sale and Trade

All kinds of Boy Scout Memorabilia

Eagles Lodge

21 Cool Springs Rd. Fredericksburg, VA

(Please continue.   More information after the jump!)

From the South: Take Exit 133 North – US-17 towards Warrenton. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Falmouth/ US-17 Bus and merge onto US-17/ Warrenton Rd. Continue to follow Warrenton Rd. In 1.7 miles stay in the left lane. You will cross US-1 and the road becomes Butler Rd/Va 218. Continue another 1.2 miles. You will pass a CVS on the right and cross a small bridge. At the traffic light turn right onto Cool Springs Rd. The Eagles Lodge is 3/10th of a mile on the left.

From the North: Take Exit 133A – Falmouth / US-17 Business. The exit merges onto Warrenton Rd. In 1.7 miles stay in the left lane. You will cross US-1 and the road becomes Butler Rd/Va 218. Continue another 1.2 miles. You will pass a CVS on the right and cross a small bridge. At the traffic light turn right onto Cool Springs Rd. The Eagles Lodge is 3/10th of a mile on the left.

For Table Rental & Other Info Contact:

Richard Shields       704-282-1339           richard@thecarolinatrader.com

Roger Ward recently sent me information for a trade-o-ree (TOR) to be held near this Summer’s BSA National Jamboree.   I gladly pass this along here.

2010 Jamboree 100th Ann BSA Patch Show At
The Ramada Inn Fredericksburg South,VA

Siesta Beach Trading Company presents the

2010 Jamboree 100th Ann BSA Patch Show

Friday July 23rd to Tuesday August 3rd, 2010
12 Day Show From Friday To Tuesday

(Please continue.   More information after the jump!)

The Hours Will Be From 1pm To Midnight Daily

Admission Is Free For Scouters, and The Public.
Jamboree Bus Contingents Welcome !!

Ramada Inn South
Fredericksburg Room
5324 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Route 1 At Market Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Phone, 540-898-1102
Fax, 540-898-2017

Easy Directions, at the Crossing Of U.S. 1, and Interstate I – 95.
>From The North, Take I – 95 Exit # 126
>From The South, Take I – 95 Exit # 126 A.

Please join us at the Ramada Inn South for the GREATEST Trading Event Of The Year !!

There will be Thousands of Scouting Memorabilia Items Available.   This Is The Superbowl Of Collecting For This Year. There will be tables full of OA patches, CSP’s, JSP’s, National & World Jamboree, Insignia, Books, Philmont, NOAC, Merit Badges, Uniforms, Collecting Supplies, Stamps, Medals, Pins, Eagle Items, and Scout Memorabilia Dealers and Traders From ALL over the Country.

The Lobby At This Show is Luxurious, and There are Flags from all over the United States and The World Hanging From The Ceiling. There are Many Plush Couches and Tables in the Lobby for Trading, and a beautiful Tropical Pool Area With Large Pool, Hot Tub, and Sauna.

Flyers and promotions will be available through your favorite Scouting Memorabilia Dealers, Black Warrior Trading, Jon Hall, Heart O’Texas, Conley Williams, Siesta Beach Trading Company, Roger Ward, and Streamwood, Chris Jensen, Patch-L, etc. The Outside Sign at the Front Of The Ramada Inn Will be promoting our show, which can be seen from the interstate. There has been a Tradeoree at this Location since the First Tradeoree at this location in 1985, when this Hotel was a Holiday Inn, and is known as a site where a show is held during every National Scout Jamboree. There have been 3 Very Successful Tradeorees held as this same location by Brush Creek Trading Company for the Last Three Jamborees. This is the Closest Patch Show Near The Jamboree.

For Jefferson Davis Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA Hotel Availability, Go To Hotels.com or Kayak Search Engine for Different Options.

So See You There !!

If you have any other questions, please contact
SIESTA BEACH TRADING COMPANY
ROGER WARD
P.O. BOX 1201
NOKOMIS, FL 34274
flpatches@aol.com

Nachamawat 275 J4?

Many lodges and councils are issuing patches this year for the BSA’s centennial. I even recently started to build a page on this site for these issues.     However this isn’t the only significant Scouting centennial that will occur within the next few years.     Gap Danish recently sent me an image of a new jacket patch from Nachamawat 275 (Penn’s Woods Council, PA) that I believe may be the first OA lodge or chapter issue for the Order of the Arrow’s centennial in 2015!

The patch’s design pays tribute to the history of the OA in this lodge’s area.   It includes the totems of Nachamawat’s predecessor lodges — Hopocan 275, Wopsononock 347, and Amadahi 441 — as well as the current lodge totem and that of Unami 1.     It also includes three different National OA logos rendered as smoke.

It will probably be some time until OA centennial issues start appearing in earnest.     When they do, a page will be added to this site for them.

Tschipey Achtu (397) S1?

I recently announced on this blog the formation of Tschipey Achtu lodge.   At that time I had no news about patches.   Mike Conkey recently acquired the newly issued first flap from this lodge and thanks to him for providing this image.

Notice that the new flap bears no lodge number.   In that earlier blog entry I reported that the lodge’s web page on the council’s website refers to this as Tschipey Achtu Lodge #397, even though lodge numbers are no longer assigned on a national basis.   There has been some discussion about this.

At this time I have no further details about the patch.     This lodge’s issues will be shown on the Tschipey Achtu lodge page of this site.

The National Order of the Arrow is selling several items of merchandise in their online trading post for the BSA centennial.     These items include a flap (conveniently sold either singly,   or in   three, 10 or 20 patch bundles), neckerchief, neckerchief slide, cap and hat pin.

The single flap is sold enclosed in a special portfolio and includes a message from the 2010 National Chief and Vice Chief.     It is clearly states this flap is not to be worn on the uniform.

Upon trying to place an order, a shopper is advised that, “Any orders containing BSA 100 Anniversary products will not be shipped until June 15th, 2010.”