Badge, Britain, 1977-1986
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1977-1986
Badge, Britain, 1977-1986 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated 1977-1986. The museum's brief description reads: Rectangular badge advertising the British new wave band, 'The Police'. Probably British, 1977-1986.. Museum description: square enamelled lapel badge The museum record gives material recorded as printing ink, plastic, paper, metal; measurements Height 2 cm; Width 2.9 cm; place associated: Britain. These details come from the holding museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Lapel badges were manufactured and printed cheaply in their thousands. They were sold - or often given away - for a wide variety of purposes. Some advertised bands and their records, or other products, but many were created to promote ideas and political causes, or simply to give amusement through the use of original images and provocative slogans. Barry Miles, from whom these badges were acquired, was a key figure in the London underground scene in the 1960s. He was a founder of the Indica Bookshop, the underground newspaper 'International Times' and was involved in the setting up of the UFO, an all night club originally set up to provide funds for the 'International Times'. This body of material came into his collection because of his involvement in these activities in the 1960s.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- printing ink, plastic, paper, metal
- Dimensions
- Height 2 cm; Width 2.9 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- enamel
- Place recorded
- Britain
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- THE POLICE
Identification
- Museum object name
- Badge
- Museum object number
- E.736-2002
- Museum system number
- O238979
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm materials, dimensions, maker and wider type against the holding institution and a specialist reference.