1986 Skate Canada at The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins

As figure skating pins go, by and large, the pin made to commemorate the 1986 Skate Canada International is striking. Not so much because it is beautiful or even well-produced. But because it is different. In a world where pins are routinely round or rectangular in shape with little creativity, a pin with an irregular shape and angles is a welcomed changed. The familiar Skate Canada logo is used to good advantage in a strobe effect, something not seen before on Skate Canada pins.

Dominating the design of the main logo pin is a maple leaf in cut-out style that transitions smoothly from left to right into the event logo, also in cutout style and that serves as an abstract representation of the right-hand portion of the leaf. The effect is well done. An unexpected color palette of white, deep red, and rose (some might say pink) heightens the pin’s uniqueness. The maple leaf, in white with a thick interior outline in red, accents the banded colors of the Skate Canada logo. Tucked into the main area of the leaf blade is the event name and year: “Skate Canada ’86.” The elements all rest atop a trapezoid-shaped base that encloses the event location in white block-style letters on a dark red background: “Regina.” On a gold-color base metal, the enamel-filled pin measures approximately 1″ x 3/4″ (2.5 cm x 1.9 cm).

Dominating the design of the 1986 Skate Canada main logo pin is a maple leaf in cut-out style that transitions smoothly from left to right into the event logo, also in cutout style…

Also displayed in the gallery are two special-issue pins produced for and given only to officials and organizing committee members of the Skate Canada event, marked “Official” and “Committee” in block-style letters. Slightly larger in size than the logo pin and measuring approximately 1-1/8″ x 1″ (2.9 cm x 2.5 cm), these pins feature an additional trapezoid-shaped base area that reflects the shape above it and encloses the designation in red letters on a gold-color, textured background. The gold shimmers under light and lends an additional element of detail.

Enjoy this week’s figure skating pin blog: Highly Irregular. 1986.