Profile: Lapel Pins – 1966 European Championships, Bratislava, Czechoslovakia

European designers of logos and identities for figure skating events in the mid-20th century had a clear fascination with the compulsory figure known as the loop, incorporating some version of it—usually stylized—into many an event brand. And the loop appeared again on the various 1966 European Figure Skating Championships pins and participant medal made for the event, staged that year in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. The city previously hosted the 1958 European Championships, and the pins from that event are detailed in The Bratislava Loop blog.

The main logo pin from the 1966 European Championships is an unusual oval shape, something not often seen. The logo design is comprised of two letter “E”s arranged in a shadow effect and a pair of abstract and highly stylized skaters in a spiral position at the center of the pin. The forward-most skater and letter “E” are filled in color—the skater in blue and the “E” in white—while the unfilled portions are in counter-relief. The “E”s mimic the loop figure and represent the “E” in “Európy” (or “European”). Around the circumference of the pin, in relief, are the event name, location, and year: “Majstrovstvá Európy, Bratislava, 1966.” On a gold-color base metal, the pin measures approximately 7/8″ x 5/8″ (2.2 cm x 1.6 cm).

The main logo pin from the 1966 European Figure Skating Championships is an unusual oval shape, something not often seen.

A larger, more substantial logo pin was also issued for the event but likely had limited production quantity and distribution, reserved for a selected few. The all-enamel pin incorporates the oval shape of the main logo pin but transfers it to the larger surface in cameo style. In this variation, the forward letter “E” and skater are both filled in blue while the remaining elements are filled in white. The logo is offset well against the gold color of the base metal revealed through the oval. Along the top of the rectangular-shaped pin are the event location and year enclosed in a small gold bar: “Bratislava 1966.” And at the bottom is the event name: “Majstrovstvá Európy v Krasokorčuľovaní.” The white background of the pin creates a smooth and clean look. The pin measures approximately 1‑7/16″ x 1‑1/8″ (3.7 cm x 2.9 cm).

Next on display in the gallery is a series of customized pins made for specific individuals with a named role at the event. Each of these pins, probably highly limited in number and distribution, incorporates the larger logo pin as the main element, accented with a colorful ribbon from which a fanciful marker is suspended. The markers feature a laurel leaf-style detail at the bottom and are done in different colors but generally coordinate with the ribbon. The pins measure approximately 1‑7/16″ x 1‑7/8″ (3.2 cm x 4.8 cm) or 1‑7/16″ x 1‑1/2″ (3.2 cm x 3.8 cm) each. The variation in the measurements of the pins comes from differing ribbon lengths. Included in the gallery are:

“ISU” (ISU representative)
“Pretekár” (“Competitor”)
“Tréner” (“Coach”)
“Činovnik” (“Official”)
“Rozhodca” (“Referee”)
“Tlač” (“Press”)

Major figure skating events held in Europe in the 1960s and 1970s often were commemorated with a participant medal, given only to competitors and selected officials. The 1966 European Championships is one such event, with a handsome medal produced to mark the occasion. On a silver-color metal with a lightly textured surface, the medal incorporates the elements seen on the pins, although arranged differently. An addition to the medal not seen on the pins is a representation of the coat of arms of Bratislava, placed in the upper left corner. The medal measures approximately 3‑1/2″ x 2″ (8.9 cm x 5 cm).

Enjoy this week’s figure skating pins blog: 1966 European Figure Skating Championships Pins: The Bratislava Loop II. And be sure to read the museum story for more information about figure skating pins.