Some notes by Laurence Archer February 1980

[Peter Brydon]

Some time ago I was offered a copy of some notes put together by Laurence Archer in 1980.I finally got a copy of the notes this morning.

These were a result of the problem of restrike badges and in fact in the notes Laurence has a section headed:

1970`s:the decade of the restrike

He starts off with an introduction,then goes on to give his definitions of restrikes,copies and spurious badges.There are then some notes general guidance for collectors,finishes and fittings and Gaunt re-issues of the late 1970`s.

Laurence then begins with Cavalry badges and lists the copies he has come across. I presume he went on to deal with Yeomanry and infantry,my copy of the notes only deals with Cavalry badges.

I dont think the notes were ever turned into a published book which is a great pity, he does say that the full series of notes would be in loose leaf form.

I am attaching scans of a few pages which I hope are legible,some of the advice he gives is as relevant,if not more so today, than it was in 1980.

P.B.

[Alan O]

Peter,

Thank you. An invaluable set of notes and backs up what has been said on the Forum before about dodgy Gaunt Bham badges, ENGLAND badges as well as confirming the decades of use of the others.

Excellent work

Alan

[Sonofacqms]

Sadly, I think that Laurie only put together his works on Cavalry badges, a man before his time.

He wrote the chapter on restrikes in both volumes of K&K which all forum members IMO should read and read again.

Rob

[Peter Brydon]

Thanks Alan.

Rob, I seem to recall that Laurie added at the end of his Sale Lists those restrikes he had seen since the last list but with little detail, I think you are probably right and it was only Cavalry badges which were covered in detail which, if it was the case, is a great pity. Scan of a couple more pages attached ( my copy of the notes extend to 35 pages ).

P.B.

[revdougal]

Laurie Archer published no more than the Cavalry, although I believe he had prepared much more.
I have kept some of his comments about these notes: He writes:-
"At the time of preparing this list, only 37 of a total subscription of 150 have subscribed to my restrike notes and, for a body of collectors devoted to the cause of original badges, that is pathetic, and a considerable disappointment to me.....
I do not intend to, indeed I cannot afford to, go to the expense of printing unless a lot more people subscribe and, if the worse comes to to the worse all subs received will be refunded and the project will be closed down....
The basic subscription to secure your copies is a mere £2....
Come on...how about it?"

After that I heard and received no more restrike notes.

[Alan O]

Having reviewed my badges I am uncertain that he was 100% right about the upwards large font JR Gaunt London.

The theory would seem to confirm my suspicions about my w/m QOYY badge. However I also have a k/c RAPC badge with the Gaunt name running from the bottom of the slider and I just can't believe that it is a 1970s fake.
I have a number of 1970s and 80s JR Gaunt Bham a/a badges on which the name runs from top to bottom while others run bottom to top.

I would therefore advise caution before condemning any badge as a fake on the basis of which way the maker's name runs.

[halliford_bend]

Originally Posted by Peter Brydon

Some time ago I was offered a copy of some notes put together by Laurence Archer in 1980.I finally got a copy of the notes this morning.

These were a result of the problem of restrike badges and in fact in the notes Laurence has a section headed:

1970`s:the decade of the restrike

He starts off with an introduction,then goes on to give his definitions of restrikes,copies and spurious badges.There are then some notes general guidance for collectors,finishes and fittings and Gaunt re-issues of the late 1970`s.

Laurence then begins with Cavalry badges and lists the copies he has come across. I presume he went on to deal with Yeomanry and infantry,my copy of the notes only deals with Cavalry badges.

I dont think the notes were ever turned into a published book which is a great pity, he does say that the full series of notes would be in loose leaf form.

I am attaching scans of a few pages which I hope are legible,some of the advice he gives is as relevant,if not more so today, than it was in 1980.

P.B.

I too have all my original Laurence Archer notes and records. I did a great deal of business with Laurie in the 1970's, and indeed still have a lot of the material which I bought from him at that time.
I know that he was very disappointed with the reception that his notes had from collectors, but I also believe that a of lot of pressure was put on him by certain other parties , to dissuade him from publishing information that was damaging their business.

[Sonofacqms]

A visionary . . !

Rob

[Peter Brydon]

In the days ( light years ) before E mails you could always rely on Laurie to reply in detail to any questions you raised with him.

I still have a number of letters he sent to me in the 1970`s in response to queries I had raised with him or with additional information on items in articles I had written.

(was the attached letter really received 41 years ago !!!!!)

P.B.