button badges

If you grew up in the 1950s and 60s you’ll no doubt have a drawer somewhere with a couple of old badges buried at the back. Mine live in an old sweet tin. I got them out the other day and realised that they chart an era of advertising that’s long since gone. Foodstuffs, fuel and children’s clubs seemed to be some of the obsessions in the post-war years, A decade of rationing led to a glut of lard-based products, petrol and sweets for the kids – everything you need for a fulfilled life.

I continued collecting badges into the 1970s and saw the introduction of political messages

and the promotion of musical groups. I rummaged through my tin of over 350 badges

and found quite a few interesting pairs.