The impressive world of Soviet badges

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The people of the USSR loved to collect. They collected stamps, candy wrappers, car models and, of course, lapel pins. Fortunately, a huge number of them were produced in the country - of different types, sizes, purposes. Many collections of those times have survived to this day. This article contains facts about how and what badges were collected in the USSR.

These lapel pin, which in USSR called znachki, which are considered by many people as minuscule masterpieces, cover many topics. A huge number of pins were created in honor of memorable events, significant dates. These could be badges dedicated to the anniversary of the death or birth of famous people, as well as significant historical dates of the past or present. For example, for the 1980 Olympics, about 5,000 types of badges with sports, with an Olympic Bear, and with the symbols of the Olympics were issued. Thousands of shapes, plots, sizes! These were small pieces of history and material culture that can be attached to your clothes to honor the past and pride in the present.

While numerous pins are small bits of Soviet publicity, it was established earlier than the 1917 insurgency. Russia's first znachki was made in 1722, so badges and pins existed in the country in the era of the Russian Empire. However, their mass production, availability and variety manifested itself already in the days of the USSR. There are several reasons: ideological motives, production possibilities, technological process. The very essence of the ideology of the new state presupposed the citizens' awareness of their belonging to the society of a great country. Pioneers, Komsomol members, communists. All members of these organizations had their own attributes. Achievements, participation in any socially significant or useful processes, memorable dates very often all this was accompanied by encouragement in the form of a badge. Whether you are a drummer of labor or an engineer, a doctor or an agricultural worker, an exemplary Red Army soldier or a mother with many children each had its own "reward". Some of them gave privileges to the owner.

Lapel pins were a significant marking apparatus for the youthful Soviet Association, making a feeling of aggregate public personality. They honored progressive commemorations and achievements in military field, with znachki for great expert riflemen, explosive trained professionals, surgeons, armed force, drivers, and cooks. For example to procure the uncommon "Vacationer of the Soviet Union"(1939) pin, desired by the present collectors, you needed to show abilities in lighting fire, setting up a shelter and orienteering with a compass, and complete a six-day venture on skis, by foot, on a bike, in a paddle boat or common boat, or at long last on a speedboat, cruiser, or vehicle driven by the traveler.

The quantity and scope of znachki detonated after terrifying World War II, dispatching a gathering rage among youngsters and adolescents. It was not a misfortune. These pins were important for the Soviet exertion to engage the young people and spectate the arising understudy developments of the mid-1960s. The youth associations introduced the lapel pins to the people in the 1950s and expanded their range thanks to the authorities. It was the way of life: Accomplish something and get an award pin. Since the znachki were modest to purchase - about a similar cost as a portion of bread, -gathering it was an available pastime. With pins, which were available to be purchased at each booth countrywide, it was hard not to get them. Some people bought it as endowments, others took their own and got into collecting."

After 1970s, the lapel pins had become so mainstream that Russian specialists cautioned their creation was "'developing calamitously' and spending valuable crude materials," revealed the New York Times. In the 70s and 80s, collecting lapel pins was a special layer of culture. They were sold in all Soviet kiosks. Faleristas (as badge collectors are called), as a rule, met on weekends at independently organized mini exhibitions, exchanged their exhibits, and bought out the desired items. Most of the pins issued in millions of copies were made of aluminum. But some of the items were real works of art - fine work, made with enamel, from semi-precious or precious metals. Their quality was very high, so it is not surprising that collectors are ready to pay a decent amount for them today. By the way, no one really knows how many different icons were created in the Soviet Union.

The authorities began to realize that creating a lapel pin was starting to go crazy. However, the interest in pins remained strong, it was "a product in the general public that was notorious for the scarcity of goods for buyers." In addition, they allowed people to demand and receive a small fraction of something more, translating "the public celebration of great achievements from solely mass events to an individual scale."

It may sound strange, but some modern businessmen invest their money in vintage lapel pins: according to experts, in the Russian antique market, prices for them can add up to 80 percent a year. But, of course, this is more about rarities, rare specimens that collectors literally hunt for. So, some of the most expensive today are the badges of the KGB, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Cheka, issued in limited editions.

Soviet pins can be divided into two types - those that were on free sale, and which were issued for certain achievements (they are especially appreciated by collectors) - they were accompanied by a certificate or other similar document. The smaller the circulation of the issue, the better the condition of the pin, the more expensive it is. The documents attached to the badge, as well as the gift box, will automatically increase its price by 30-50 percent. Especially appreciated and are still valued by collectors are copies released by famous masters and certain factories, which put their brands on their products.

In times of the USSR, collectable pins were stored in different ways. The most common method is attached to a pennant or a rug, hung on the wall. Some collectors took thin-sheet foam rubber, sewed sheets into an album and pinned their exhibits on them. But this method was fraught with the loss of icons. One of the collectors recalls: "The foam rubber, which decomposed over time, gave off a caustic substance that damaged the enamel of the badges. The enamel became soft and peeled off the metal like a stocking. Many badges died in the collections during storage."

Soviet badges are not just an interesting trinket, but also a small metal piece of history that you can touch with your hands, attach to your clothes, or admire the collection, reflecting on the past, present and future.

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By 1935, in the award system of the Soviet Union, there were two orders for "peaceful" services, this is the highest order of Lenin and the Order of the Red Banner of Labor. Mass awards with these awards led to a decrease in their importance, the result of which was the creation of a new award, for high performance in labor, cultural, scientific and sports activities, this award was the Order of the Badge of Honor.

If you interested past history of the USSR and you like to collect the antiques, than you will interested these things.
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