Boy Scouts of America Collecting

By Guy Manion

Scouting was founded in England by Sir Robert Baden-Powell, and was officially introduced into the United States on February 8, 1910, by William D. Boyce, a Chicago publisher. Since that day, scouting has grown to be one of the most respected youth organizations in this country and throughout the world.

The Boy Scouts of America offer many programs focused on honor, good citizenship and self improvement: Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Explorers, Air Scouting, Sea Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Order of the Arrow, Mic-O-Say, Senior Scouting, Lone Scouting, etc.

All the programs are designed to offer young men the opportunity for a healthy and strong mental and physical growth. Each achievement acknowledged and rewarded with badges and insignias, as a scout advances through the ranks – Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Star, Life and finally Eagle Scout. Camps and jamborees positions such as patrol leader to junior assistant Scout Master, each of these positions and events, are awarded.

Patch trading, one-for-one, started at the National Jamboree in 1937. Scouts making friends with scouts from different areas of the country exchanged patches as a remembrance of the event. Jamborees offer the best opportunities for trading patches.

Scouting collectibles is a very lucrative business. There have been twelve National Jamborees since 1937 and 15 World Jamborees since 1920.

In 1938, Philturn Scout Ranch in New Mexico offered hiking and camping. The Ranch later officially opened in 1939. In 1942 it was renamed “Philmont Scout Ranch,” and to this day, the growth of the ranch is exceeded only by the enthusiasm of the scouts attending. The ranch is a key meeting place for many scouting events. A rare “Philturn” patch is valued today at around $500.

Early insignia and scouting collectibles are very popular today, partially because of the success of the Boy Scouts of America and also because most everyone has known a scout or was a scout during their youth. For example, the first bronzed Eagle Scout medal made by T.H. Fuley Co., recently brought a record price of $2500 at auction. A gold bullion embroidered Commission Position sleeve patch brought $800.

Collectors are looking for both old and new items. New commemorative patches are bought or traded, often as soon as they are issued, so it really doesn’t make too much difference whether the item is old or new, eventually its value will climb. With so many scouts from all over the world attending, jamborees are the best events to acquire other patches which usually command premium prices (The pocket patch for the 1935 National Jamboree is valued at $150 because that Jamboree was cancelled due to an outbreak of Polio). Some items of interest to collectors range from Eagle Medals to Sardine Cans.

“Order of the Arrow,” is a field of scouting founded in 1915. These collectibles bring from $1 to $6000, depending on the lodge. Obviously, collecting in this field is not recommended for the novice.

Scouts have participated in community drives and events, and they are usually the first ones to volunteer to help. For example, they collected “peach seeds” to be used in gas masks and sponsored the “Victory Bond” drives during World War I. During World War II, they helped the war effort by collecting aluminum foil and metal, organized victory gardens and even had their scout medals stamped in metal and not bronzed, as was customary in peace time. They played an important part in helping to win the war on the home front.

In the past twenty years, interest in scout collecting has grown among the young and old. Even pre-scouting history has sparked an interest among collectors. Many of the scouting books are out of print and others are available at a premium price. Many items are available to be viewed at museums, set aside to preserve scouting.

And let’s not forget the important part Girl Scouts have played in the history of scouting. Collecting in this field has recently increased and opens up yet another avenue in collecting.

Guy Manion has been involved with collectibles since a very young age. While being raised in an environment centered around militaria, he has also been exposed to virtually every aspect of the collecting field – from Allach porcelain to Zippo lighters, Guy has seen it all. His knowledge of collectibles crosses over into many different areas, and while he may not be an “expert” in each, he possesses a knowledge base as extensive as any professional in the collecting community today.