Yellow Totem Cap Badge

[Ashley Hill]

In an upcoming on-line auction is a yellow British Railways totem cap badge. Here’s a link to it.

Great Central Railwayana

Great Central Railwayana Limited (GCR) was originally founded some 35 years ago. Great Central Railwayana is the oldest established, leading specialist auctioneer and valuer of railwayana, transport related and advertising memorabilia.

auctions.gcrauctions.com

Unusually for that site it offers no explanation of who used yellow badges. One thing that concerns me about it is the style of the lettering with rounded ends. Many many years ago I purposely bought a WR replica for use on a preserved line with the same style of lettering as that in the yellow one. For comparison here’s a picture of a genuine ER example which has flat ended lettering.

Not my photo.
Note the different style of lettering. I’m aware there were several manufacturers but they all still seem to use the lettering like that on the blue badge.
In another auction recently a white version was sold which claimed it was from BR’ shipping division which also had lettering in the same style of the yellow one. Here’s a link to it.

Great Central Railwayana

Great Central Railwayana Limited (GCR) was originally founded some 35 years ago. Great Central Railwayana is the oldest established, leading specialist auctioneer and valuer of railwayana, transport related and advertising memorabilia.

auctions.gcrauctions.com

Does anyone know anything about the yellow version, or an opinion on its authenticity?

 

[Gloster]

A North Eastern Region one that has faded?

 

[Ashley Hill]

A North Eastern Region one that has faded?

It’s definitely advertised as Yellow.

 

[150219]

The below previous auction listing also has badges with similar if not identical lettering, but they look brand new in this photo admittedly quite a dark image.

7 BR Totem Cap Badges British Railways 6 X BR(W) - Badges / Buttons

7 BR Totem Cap Badges British Railways 6 X BR(W) And 1 X BR(E) All In Excellent Condition. Some Marked Gaunt.

www.gwra.co.uk

There are other totem cap badges with slightly rounded lettering and not quite as crude as some, but the ends of the S are still flat.

When the white badge was listed, I was curious to look at any previous existence of such a badge but couldn't find anything. It would be great to see if there are any images of early 60's Sealink outfits to see if there is one and conclusively say one way or the other.

Similarly with the definite yellow one currently listed, I couldn't fit any evidence of one previously in use.

 

[Ashley Hill]

I have several genuine badges and all have a makers mark on the rear, either JR Gaunt of Fattorini. These two and my replica have neither. Also the Pin eyelets look like they have been moved on both the white and yellow ones. My replica has eyelets which didn’t line up with the holes in my greasetop hat, unlike an original badge which does.

 

[150219]

I had forgotten that the eyelets didn't line up. I bought a replica from Collectors Corner in the 80's and had to make extra holes in the cap to make them fit.

It definitely pays to do the research before forking out significant sums.

 

[Ashley Hill]

The yellow badge sold for £1.300. Then add buyers premium and VAT and it adds up to a small fortune.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

The yellow badge sold for £1,300. Then add buyers premium and VAT and it adds up to a small fortune.

Buyer's Premium of 18% inc VAT? Does the vendor/seller also get charged a fee? Assume then that it was a completely genuine item, and not some replica / reproduction or knock-off.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Buyer's Premium of 18% inc VAT? Does the vendor/seller also get charged a fee? Assume then that it was a completely genuine item, and not some replica / reproduction or knock-off.

The seller gets charged a commission by the auction house, generally 10%. Still none the wiser who was issued yellow badges. Presumably the buyer knows their stuff to spend that sort of sum.