Last Updated on January 3, 2023 by Netropolitan Museum

Profile: Lapel Pins – 1980 Canadian Championships, Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario

In the world of figure skating pins, one does not often come across a bird used as the main logo element, particularly for a major championship. So it might just be then that the pins made to commemorate the 1980 Canadian Figure Skating Championships, held in Kitchener–Waterloo, Ontario, are the only such specimens. So what of the bird? After making an inquiry to a presumed responsible source in the Great White North and waiting patiently for an answer, The Curator of The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins was disappointed not to receive a reply. So onward with independent research, which indicates the bird is a ruffled grouse, also known as a partridge and easily identifiable by its regal plume. Partridges are common to the province of Ontario in Canada, as is figure skating, with Ontario having hosted the most Canadian Figure Skating Championships, at least over the past 30+ years. Partridges also are common to San Pueblo, California.

One does not often come across a bird used as the main logo element on a pin, so it might just be then that the pins made to commemorate the 1980 Canadian Figure Skating Championships are the only such specimens.

At the center of the main logo event pin is the grouse, nimbly posed on a dark-colored branch and depicted in a simplified style in colors of yellow, white, and black. The rich green background allows the bird to stand off effectively from its surroundings, and just to the right is the event year: “1980.” Around the circumference of the pin are the event name and location: “Canadian Figure Skating Championships, Kitchener–Waterloo.” The gold-color base metal offsets the outer background perimeter in white. The pin measures approximately 3/4″ in diameter (1.9 cm).

A larger pin, identical in every way except size, was made for and given only to competitors and selected officials of the event. Measuring twice the size of the logo pin at 1‑1/2″ in diameter (3.8 cm), the pin would have been produced in highly limited number. Going back to the 1975 Canadian Championships in Quebec City, a larger version of the event logo pin—very similar if not identical in design—was produced every year through 1990 except 1976. The tradition of producing a larger event pin for competitors and officials, which the Canadians seem to have pioneered, at least in North America, was largely discontinued after 1990.

Enjoy this week’s figure skating pins blog: 1980 Canadian Figure Skating Championships Pins: Put a Bird On It. And be sure to read the museum story for more information about figure skating pins.

Pins Gallery: 1980 Canadian Figure Skating Championships

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