I saw this item on Ebay and just had to get it.THIS IS A ONE OF A KIND ITEM FOR THE SERIOUS COLLECTOR!!! Manufacturer's master patch --- KAWIDA LODGE 480 - BLUEGRASS COUNCIL - along with the pattern drawing. The patch is a sample kept by the manufacturer in their master book.
The pattern drawing was prepared by an artist and used prior to computer designed patches to run the embroidery process or to punch the tape drive to run the embroidery machines. The pattern designs measure within a range from 18"x24" to 24"x36" depending on the shape and size of the item and the amount of paper used by the artist. Great for framing. The patch or flap may contain missings or thread breaks and is usually a rejected item.
My buddy Tim Brown tells me: It is the first flap (rounded bottom). The guy selling these is from Illinois, and thus it’s my guess that he got them from Mid West Swiss Embroidery Company in Chicago or from someone else who did. I heard that Mid West Swiss had sold many of its early samples and design patterns.
Mid West Swiss made many of the OA patches in the country in the 1950’s and 1960’s (as did the Geer Company in St. Louis). I know that they made our S1 (white belly), and they probably made our X1’s and F1’s. However, our F2’s were made by Geer, as they have the distinctive Geer pointed bottom (see also the Lodge 367 F1, F2, and S1; Lodge 435 S1; Lodge 499 F1, etc.). All were made in the 1950’s and early 1960’s.
This is a one of a kind item and shouldn't be rolled up in some one's closet. I'm going to have it framed and donate it to the Lodge. It belongs to all of us.
