Last Updated on January 3, 2023 by Netropolitan Museum

Profile: Lapel Pins – 1982 Canadian Figure Skating Championships, Brandon, Canada

From reports filed at the time, it was bitterly cold outside when the 1982 Canadian Figure Skating Championships came to Brandon, Manitoba, in late January of that year. Fortunately, some exciting skating—and unexpected results—helped to warm up the spectators inside and make for a memorable event. In contrast, the pins issued for the 1982 Canadian Figure Skating Championships are less memorable but showed a marked difference in look and feel versus pins from many previous Canadian national events. Using a color palette of gold and pastel green, accented with a bit of red to help the beloved maple leaf stand out, the 1982 pins were a refreshing change, even if the overall design is rather unremarkable.

Along the edge of the main logo pin is a laurel leaf design of wheat stems in gold. It creates an interesting, irregular shape, with bands of green and gold extending around the edge of the pin. A nice detail is the generously rounded upper right corner. At the center of the pin is a pair of skaters that appear to be mid-crossover on the imaginary ice. The pose is reminiscent of 1980s Canadian pairs champions Barbara Underhill and Paul Martini. Above the skaters are the event name, location, and year: “Canadians, Brandon, ’82.” The colloquial “Canadians” takes the place of the formal event name. Below the skaters and to the right is the maple leaf, acting as a punctuation mark of sorts. The pin measures approximately 3/4″ x 7/8″ (1.9 cm x 2.2 cm).

The bright and shiny gold used on the 1982 Canadian Figure Skating Championships pins was a refreshing change, even if the overall design is rather unremarkable.

Like many Canadian Championship events before it, the 1982 Canadians were commemorated with a larger version of the logo pin. Made in limited quantity, larger pins are often called “official’s” pins and are given only to competitors and selected officials. Identical in design to the logo pin, the large version measures approximately 1‑5/16″ x 1‑1/2″ (3.3 cm x 3.8 cm). Acquired from the estate of a Canadian judge who officiated the 1982 event, the large pin is the second shown.

Enjoy this week’s figure skating pins blog: 1982 Canadian Figure Skating Championships Pins: Let’s Go, Brandon! And be sure to read the museum story for more information about figure skating pins.

Pins Gallery: 1982 Canadian Figure Skating Championships

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