1971 European Championships at The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins

A global center for banking and finance, Zürich, Switzerland, is situated on Lake Zürich in the north-central part of the country. The European Figure Skating Championships have been staged in the Swiss city twice, in 1951 and again 20 years later in 1971 (the event has not since returned to the city). The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins is pleased to present three lapel pins from the 1971 event.

Swiss design sense and sensibility is world-renown, and the pins produced for the 1971 European Championships are exceptional in style and production value. The highly graphical main logo element is comprised of a female figure skater intertwined with the letter “E” (representing “Europa” or “Europameisterschaften”). The stylization of the skater, with exaggerated skate blades and arms and legs in motion, makes it clear that thought went into developing it. This logo wasn’t just thrown together. Immediately below the logo element are the event name, location, and year: “Europameisterschaften, Zürich, 1971.” The type chosen is beautiful and sophisticated yet approachable. A maker’s mark is tucked at the bottom.

Swiss design is world-renown, and the pins produced for the 1971 European Figure Skating Championships are exceptional in style and production value.

The main logo pin is made of a gold-color base metal with a thin, clear coating applied that adds a subtle sheen. The logo and type are in relief, adding dimension and visual interest, and the ample white space used creates a perfect design balance. The pin measures approximately 1″ x 1-5/8″ (2.5 cm x 4.1 cm).

Also shown in the gallery are special pins marked “Jury” (or “Judge”) and “Press.” In contrast, the Jury pin is on a silver-color base metal, allowing those who would have worn it to be easily identified as an event judge. The Press pin is of the same gold-color base metal as the logo pin. For both pins, the main portion of the pin is the same design as the logo pin. Colorful ribbons in green and yellow attach the special bar to the main section of the pin, which has the addition of a loop at the top to accommodate the ribbon. Each of the two special-issue pins measure approximately 1″ x 2-3/4″ (2.5 cm x 7 cm).

Should the European Figure Skating Championships ever return to Zürich, one can only guess if a pin produced to commemorate that event would hold up to the high standard of the past. The Curator of The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins is skeptical about that likelihood given the uninspired designs and low quality of most event pins produced today.

Enjoy Design Sense and Sensibility. 1971.