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An unofficial guide to the collectible memorabilia of Camp Wolfeboro, Golden Gate Area Council, Scouts B.S.A.
Camp Wolfeboro is one of the longest and running scout camps in the Western United States. It was established in 1928 by the Boy Scouts of America as a summer camp high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the North Fork of the Stanislaus River.
Wolfeboro has continually become a special place to all its Scouts and Scouters. It is the mission of the Wolfeboro staff to facilitate an environment where scouts will be engaged in unique, evolving programs, while building character through the values and methods of scouting in a safe outdoor environment.
It is the aim of the Camp Wolfeboro staff to promote a profound reverence for the outdoors. They establish, maintain, and improve a rustic and traditional camping environment that can be enjoyed by all ages for many years to follow.
Over the years, the camp has produced clothing, patches, hats, and other memorabilia for sale in the Trading Post for Scouts to purchase and remember their experience at Wolfeboro.
A Scouting uniform is not a costume and should not be worn unless you are actively representing the B.S.A. That said, a vintage uniform is still considered Class A attire, and can be worn at official events if that person is currently registered with the B.S.A. and in good standing. Camp Wolfeboro staff members are required to wear BSA uniforms during camp, and many of them enjoy wearing vintage attire at summer camp, especially if they were not previously BSA members. This has led to a small demand for such historical items from Camp Wolfeboro to wear proudly during the summer sessions at camp.
Introduction: Patch Authenticity
Introduction: Patch Authenticity
The online demand for vintage BSA patches and other attire has resulted in eBay offerings of vintage Wolfeboro patches for premium prices. Those listings, in turn, have now created the economic incentive to sell counterfeit patches on eBay. I feel that these counterfeits must be identified so that the public can make informed choices about their purchases.
It is fortunate that faking has not yet destroyed the hobby of collecting American World War II insignia and that originals are still available at reasonable prices. Other areas of collecting have not been so lucky. A good example is the collecting of artifacts of the Third Reich. This market has been so flooded by fakes that most novice collectors, even those who might otherwise have an interest, avoid buying both the originals and fakes. Extensive faking can destroy the market for original items and the number of collectors of that particular type of artifact is reduced to a small elite, who have learned the hard way how to distinguish originals and fakes. The price of acquiring that knowledge involves making mistakes and induces a paranoia can remove much of the enjoyment of a hobby.
Let's look into three case studies to get an idea of the trouble with verifying a patch's authenticity.
Case Study #1: Camp Wolfeboro 2nd Year Patch
Case Study #1: Camp Wolfeboro 2nd Year Patch
Genuine Lone Tree Patch, c. 1948-1950
Genuine Lone Tree Patch, c. 1948-1950
The eBay listing above by iconrelicsaz has had no buyers for many months (at least since Mar-19 to Jul-19). The $195 price is far higher than the average selling price (≈$25 to $50) for Lone Tree twill patches of this vintage (c. 1948 - 1960).
The Pioneer Scrapbook does confirm that some patches of this era were embroidered on herringbone fabric like this example.
The gauze backing is another clue that this patch is probably authentic.
Counterfeit
Counterfeit
EBay seller "abqmetal" regularly sells this fake. I purchased one to analyze its detail up close. When it arrived, I immediately knew it was not the patch photographed in the listing.
Below from right to left are photos of the patch in the eBay Listing, then photos of the actual patch I received from the auction, and then the patch I received under UV light.
Source: abqmetal
his former listing photo shows herringbone fabric and distorted limbs on the lone tree. The lettering is quite thick and exhibits artifacts of vector drawings used to create it.
Note there is no backing paper present. The genuine patch had gauze backing.
Note the twill backing of the patch actually received. The fake is much better than the listing photo. The Roman numeral is the same thread color as the outside lettering.
The reverse is completely covered in modern backing paper, used to stabilize the embroidery.
The use of a UV light should not viewed as an absolute way to distinguish real from fakes. Natural fibers that were used to manufacture patches during the Second World War do not fluoresces under UV light. On the other hand, synthetic fibers, often used after the war, fluoresces under UV light. Lighter colors light up like a Christmas tree, while dark colors do not. In practice it is not so simple. Some fakes are made with natural fibers. When testing a patch it is good to have a positive and negative control. Some original patches will seem to faintly fluoresce. The presence of traces of detergent with fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) can impart florescence to an original patch. However, it is yet another tool in your kit to judge authenticity.
The twill and embroidery thread used appears to be vintage and does not fluoresce.
As expected, the backing paper fluoresces brightly due to the FWAs used to bleach the paper fibers.
UPDATE: New December 2020 Counterfeit
UPDATE: New December 2020 Counterfeit
The most recent (Dec 2020) fake from EBay seller "abqmetal" is much improved over the previous counterfeits. Many aspects of the tree's shape have been corrected, including a correct shape for the trunk. This fraudulent seller has likely been using the reference material on this web site to make a better counterfeit.
The lettering and the thread colors are now the biggest tells. The twill quality is excellent, and might even be scavenged from old Boy Scout uniforms.
Most notably, the backing is now gauze instead of paper. This is no longer an area that counterfeiters neglect.
If only this seller would openly admit that these are reproductions and include the word "COPY" somewhere inconspicuous on the design. Many coin manufacturers make honest copies of rare coins to give the collector a chance to admire the original artwork. They are welcomed by the numismatic community and add to the enjoyment of the hobby.
Source: abqmetal
Case Study #2: 1st Cavalry Insignia Patch
Case Study #2: 1st Cavalry Insignia Patch
Here is another example of abqmetal's fake patches, mimicking the 1st Cavalry unit featured in movies such as Apocalypse Now, Platoon, & We Were Soldiers. It is clear that this patch is meant to pass off as patches worn by the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment who fought the 1965 Battle of Ia Drang as depicted in We Were Soldiers.
The distinction between a "fantasy" or souvenir patch is that this listing is trying to sell as if it were authentic. I am using it as an example because it is one of the most widely faked patches, especially the pre-WW2 felt and wool examples made from 1921-1934.
Condition: Used. Seller Notes: Condition is great for the age and has only minor wear and tear. This patch has no glue on back and has been kept in a pet/smoke free environment. Thank you for looking. Source: abqmetal
A souvenir patch on the website of Joe Galloway, author of the book We Were Soldiers Once... And Young.
Source: LZXRay.com
"Just before we shipped out to Vietnam the Army handed us the colors of the historic 1st Cavalry Division and we all proudly sewed on the big yellow and black shoulder patches with the horse head silhouette."
A patch signed by Ed W. "Too Tall" Freeman (1927 – 2008), a United States Army helicopter pilot who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Ia Drang during the Vietnam War. During the battle, he flew through gunfire numerous times, bringing supplies to a trapped American battalion and flying dozens of wounded soldiers to safety.
This is part of a collection of authentic 1st Cavalry related patches from the Vietnam War era. These patches were purchased from "Cheap Charlie's" and brought back from Vietnam during the war by the original owner and had sat in his collection until 2015. None of them have "Cavalry" written across the sash, because the shield itself represents the 1st Cavalry.
Originally, the patch was yellow and blue. But black, symbolic of iron and armor, later replaced the blue and improved visibility. The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for the 1st Cavalry Division on 3 January 1921, with several variations in colors of the bend (stripe) and horse’s head to reflect the subordinate elements of the division.
The current design was authorized for wear by all subordinate elements of the Division on 11 December 1934, and previous authorization for the variations was cancelled. The insignia was re-designated for the 1st Air Cavalry Division on 5 August 1968. It was re-designated for 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) on 10 September 1968. The insignia was re-designated for the 1st Cavalry Division on 24 May 1971.
Source: 1CDA.org
The original patch designed by Colonel and Mrs. Dorcy, as displayed at the U.S. Army Military History Library at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.Source: 1CDA.org
This is a very difficult area with even some disagreement among the experts as to authenticity. Most important is the cloth background and the "feel" of the material. The cloth should be similar to the cloth used in the manufacture of 7th Cav Bde patches. Next you would want the patch to mimic the blueprint of the patch design in shape and size. Lastly a good trusted source. Never ever buy any embroidered type for this period patch.
Keller's book is by far the best ever written on the subject. The ORIGINAL 1st Cav patches were made of Melton wool, and any 1st Cav patch made of felt is a reproduction. However the daughter of an old 1st Cav soldier gave the author all her dad's patches. He had original patches with a light blue horsehead with one wide light blue bend and one with two light blue bends. Then she gave me one of his patches (light blue horsehead and two light blue bends) that was felt on felt. His wife had made it for him when he needed two patches for his uniforms but only had one original issue. I counted it as original, especially as it had been worn.
In all the years we have been collecting and digging deep to find original 1st Cav patches we have seen only a handful of felt on felt that we were convinced were legit patches. Every unscrupulous dealer will tell a potential buyer that his felt on felt MINT patch, using modern day "felt" which is nothing like felt from the 1920-30's, must have been made as a replacement patch for an original. In addition to being able to tell wool from felt, it is also essential to be able to discern old felt from modern crap.
Collectors must have a set of "constants" (or a baseline if you will) when collecting, especially patches that are expensive. Once the "constants" have been memorized and put into play for some time then it is OK to venture out of the comfort zone created by knowledge of the constants, and learn the few exceptions. In our view it has always been better to leave patches you're unsure of (the exceptions to the constants) and wait for the one you are sure of.
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/104973-felt-1st-cav-div-patches/
Here's a typical felt-on-felt example (this felt was very stiff), brought to you by, uh, Snyder's Treasures.
These are made of melten wool and are the same size as a WW2 1st Cav patch. They have some slight mothing (mainly just the fuzzy part) and smell old. Yeah I sniffed them LOL.
Both patches are period originals. The one on the left, w/ the light blue bend, is 1st Bde, 1st Regt. There is no distinction for the color blue. It simply states for the First Cavalry Regiment: Blue bend, horse's head scarlet for 1st Brigade, blue for Second Brigade. The one on the right, w/ the dark blue bend, is an example that was procured out of the PQMD. The depot had followed the official OQMG blueprint specification for the 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, to the tee.
Source: www.usmilitariaforum.com
Case Study #3: NASA "Meatball" Insignia Patch
Case Study #3: NASA "Meatball" Insignia Patch
This NASA "Meatball" insignia was designed by James Modarelli in 1959, when the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) transitioned into an agency that would advance both space and aeronautics: the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Dr. Glennan, NASA’s first administrator, asked James Modarelli to design a simplified insignia for the informal uses of the new Agency. Modarelli's design elements for the insignia include the circle, representing the planets; stars, representing space; the advanced supersonic wing, representing aeronautics; and an orbiting spacecraft. Modarelli’s creation would serve as the official NASA insignia for 16 years before being replaced in 1975; it would later be reinstituted in 1992.
Source: history.NASA.gov and Emblems of Exploration by Joesph and Mark Chambers.
First: the eBay listing. This patch is readily available around the country. Is abqmetal trying to pass this patch off as authentic 1960s space memorabilia? The quality is horrible. The twill backing is tan instead of blue, and it isn't even cut to the right shape.
Who would ever think this patch was authentic?
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration Patch HM-2 Condition: Used.Seller Notes: Condition is great for the age and has only minor wear and tear. This patch has no glue on back and has been kept in a pet/smoke free environment. Thank you for looking. Source: eBay seller abqmetal
NASA Vector Patch - Type I (Mercury Program : 1959-1963)This white bordered NASA insignia patch is the version worn by the astronauts during the Mercury program. Its use did extend into the Gemini program, as evidenced by an example sold from the Armstrong collection in 2018 which had been worn on one of his Gemini 8 flightsuits. Source: CrewPatches.com
NASA Vector Patch - Type II (Gemini Program : 1964-1966)Although very similar in appearance to the Type I patch, this design can be distinguished by slightly less bold lettering. In addition, where the Type I patch has an open V-shaped pattern of three stars under the right leg of the final "A" (pointing up to the right), the Type II patch has a fourth star which turns it into a diamond shape. Source: CrewPatches.com
Site created by Thomas E. Parsons, former ASM for Troop 146B and 2019G, El Sobrante, CA.
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