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E-mail the club:

london_international
_pin_club@yahoo.no

Or;

london_international
_pinclub_uk@yahoo.no

What is a pin?
A pin is a little metal object with a design on the front site and a fastener on the backsite.

At what time did the history of pins start?
The history started in 1896 during the first olympic summer games in Athens.
During the opening cermony with over 80 000 spectators they could see that the athlet`s / volunteers had a little metal label > pins on their jacket. The label they use as a identification / pascheck to get in to the stadium.

Why collect a pin?
To collect a pin is a very interesting hobby. As a collectible item it give us pleasure, collective belonging, friendship across the national boarders, cultures, skincolour.

Whom is the pin collector?
A true collector don`t need a lot of money, but respect and honest interest.

Why have the “little metal thing” been so popular?
The little “metal object” have been so popular and valuable for the collector as the gold is for the medalwinner in a competition. One of the reason could be that it is not always easy to get exactly the pin You are searching. And when You finaly get it, it`s feels alike You won a competition....It is a victory....

Why is it so easy to establish a connection across the diplomatic service and politics for us pins collectors?
It is of course because we talking the same laguage > “ the pins language” we have often the same wish and need to achieve a result we both collectors will be happy with. > A pin swap owner, and we can happy go home with the good feeling that we got a new pin in our collection.

When was the first olympic pins in regular sale?
In summer olympic in Amsterdam in 1928 was it possibility to buy a pin from retailers.
It was made 6107 pcs official needles (pins), 9 different design. 5000 pcs of this was given to the athlets.

When was the first IOC (International Olympic Committee) pins produced?
To winter olympics in Lake Placid in USA in 1932.

Who collect pins, and why?
All people collect pins, in all social class. It engage old people, young people.
The true value in pins are in the inter-human. No one who not have given away or traded a pin can understand which joy this little metal object give us.

Is pins a communication factor?
A pin gives owner a identity other people can have a relation to with a fast look at the jacket.
Through this a conversation often start and new contacts and friendship.

Is there a value on the pins and what deceid that?
There are many elements who is involved.
Pins from National Olympic Committes and media (newspaper, TV-station, magazine) is often very popular from a collectors point of view.
Ordinary people who just want som souvenir pins as a memory, often buy mascott or logo pins. The design of a pin and the edition is often importen. A pin with low edition is difficult to get, and few of it in the market, that results in increase value.
A special design on a pin can also be very valuale. If people like the pin, and especially if the pin is in medias “serach light” it can be very high value.

Is there any fake pins out there?
It is always a risk that some can try to copy a popular pins. But there are control numbers and hollograms on the package so You can check if it is a autentic and officiall product. Also on the backsite of the pin is there elements who can confirm it.
There are copyrights on all the olympic products, so they are very good protected.
If You have suspicion about there can be a fake pin, report it at once to Your friends, too the club so we can get it away from the market, and report the person who had it.

What pins shall I collect?
There are many different area to collect pins to.
We can start with the olympic pins, who are the most usual to collect:
Media pins (Television, newspapers, magazine, radiostations).
NOC (national olympic committee) dated and undated.
Mascott pins.
Sponsor pins (example Coca Cola, Budweiser, Samsung).
Flagg pins (different flag pins from the country who participiat).
Logo pins (with the official symbol of the olympic games).
Olympic bid candidat pins (national and international bid candidate cities).
None olympic pins:
Beer pins
Community weapon
City pins
Football pins
Mc-Donalds pins
Lions pins
Ballon pins
Hard Rock Cafe pins
Coca Cola pins
Car pins

Shall I join a pin club? And what advantage will I get?
To join a club is to recommend.
You will meet like-minded. You can get first information about new pins released. (so You have possibility to get the pins before they are out of stock.).
It is very social. You can trade & buy and sell pins.
Often they have competition so You can win pins.
You got member magazine.
You got member pins every year.
You can get special discount on products.