Last Updated on January 8, 2022 by Netropolitan Museum
1955 World Championships at The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins
Triangle shapes are not often used for figure skating pins, making the one that commemorates the 1955 World Figure Skating Championships somewhat unique for this reason. But the pin stands out for another, less stellar, reason: the lightweight alloy from which it is made. The pin is decidedly not the calibre of those seen for previous World Championships, nor is it a particularly good representative of the fine city of Vienna, where the event took place at the famed Wiener Eislauf-Verein (Viennese Skating Club). Pins from earlier and later figure skating events held in Vienna are exceptionally well done (see blog links below).
An overall unsophisticated look defines the 1955 World Championships pin, from its dull silver finish to a crudeness seen in the production value. The central design element is an illustration of a female skater in blue executing a stag jump, a go-to move of the era. It is effective as a focal point, even though issues with proportionality abound: in particular, the arms and legs of the skater are awkwardly drawn and oddly positioned. It is possible that some detail of the original drawing was lost during the production cycle. Double circles in red enclose the skater, adding visual emphasis to the design.
An overall unsophisticated look defines the 1955 World Championships pin, from its dull silver finish to a crudeness seen in the production value.
Around the circumference of the pin on a blue background are the event name, location, and year: “Kunstlauf-Weltmeisterschaft, Wien, 1955.” The generous radius of the corners adds a graceful and sleek touch to an otherwise uninspired pin, which measures approximately 1-3/8″ x 1-5/16″ (3.5 cm x 3.3 cm). Other better examples of pins and a medal from major figure skating events held in Vienna have been featured in previous blogs at The Netropolitan and include: the 1925 World Championships, 1967 World Championships, and 1957 European Championships.
Enjoy this week’s figure skating pins blog: At Least the Shape is Nice. 1955.
1955 World Figure Skating Championships Pin Gallery
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