1939 European Figure Skating Pin: That’s Entertainment!

Last Updated on June 14, 2025 by Netropolitan Museum

A timeless memento from the ice, just before the world changed

In 1939, the world was dazzled by ruby slippers, soaring speeches, and windswept drama. It was the year The Wizard of Oz, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and Gone With the Wind lit up movie screens—and nearly every “greatest films” list ever since. But while Hollywood turned out legends in technicolor, the skating world quietly celebrated its own moment in London: the 1939 European Figure Skating Championships for ladies, which was marked by a quietly elegant commemorative pin.

The skating may not have been as groundbreaking as the year’s films, but it had its own charm. Cecilia Colledge, Britain’s poised and persistent skating star, claimed her third—and final—European title. With Sonja Henie having traded in her skating boots for film costumes a few years earlier, Colledge finally stood alone at the top. Meanwhile, Henie was busy starring in lighter fare like Second Fiddle and Everything Happens at Night—far from Oscar worthy but perfectly in step with the era’s appetite for sparkle and song.

Pin Gallery: 1939 European Figure Skating Championships

The pin made for the 1939 European Championships for ladies is as stylish as the sport it celebrates. The Netropolitan is fortunate to have one in its collection to share today: a judge’s pin that shows flair with a touch of mystery.

Its octagonal shape, rich black enamel, and silver-colored base give it a crisp, formal look, while the blue ribbon still faintly shows the word “Judge” in what was likely once gleaming gold foil. The text on the pin reads “N.S.A. of G.B., Ladies European Championship, 1939”—a tidy summary for collectors and historians alike. Interestingly, the pin shows no image of a skate or mention of London. Without knowing that “N.S.A. of G.B.” stands for the National Skating Association of Great Britain, one might not even guess the pin came from a skating event, creating a potential bit of mystery. It’s likely that other ribbon colors were used for different roles—such as “Competitor,” “Official,” or “Press”—which was a common practice at the time.

The 1939 European Figure Skating pin now feels like a final keepsake from a more graceful time. Just months after the competition, World War II broke out, and the European and World Championships were paused for the next seven years.

So while 1939 may be remembered most for its cinematic magic, this little pin reminds us that figure skating, too, had its own spotlight that year. That’s Entertainment! indeed.

This blog was originally published at The Netropolitan Museum of Figure Skating Pins on October 31, 2020, and has been updated with new and expanded information.

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