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| Montage courtesy of Bishshat.co.uk
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On 23rd August 2001, Robertson's announced Golly was to retire. In the week that followed many opinions were expressed. On the day the news broke, this eloquent email was sent to Robertson's by Maria Farrar and copied to me. Maria has kindly allowed me to reproduce it here. It deserves to be read by more than just myself and Robertson's!
I was so sad to hear today that due to the lack of interest of a new generation that the decision has been made to retire the 'Golly'.
I grant you this is probably a sound business decision and will not berate you. I would just like you to know that the sight and even the mention of the Robertson's Golly, brings a smile to my face and happy memories flooding back. I am 49 this year and have been a Golly fan for as long as I can remember. My sisters and I would fight when a new pot of (strawberry) jam was opened to lift the cellophane cover under the lid and gently take out the Golly. My sister Susan was the one who sent them off in exchange for badges as she was the organized one. On the way to school the bus would pass the Robertsons factory in Catford, S.E. London and everyone would rush to wave to the giant Golly, it was a sad day when it was turned into a laundry.
Later, when my children were small, we would cut out and collect the Gollies on the side of the jar. I wish I could say that I knew where all those badges are, but they are about somewhere!
I had always imagined that although we have all neglected the Golly for years, (despite Robertson's Strawberry Jam still being favourite), that I would start collecting him again when my grandchildren came along. It is so true that we never appreciate what we have till it's gone, and the loss of the Golly is the loss of another piece of childhood and our national identity.
I hope that there is a campaign to save our Golly and a massive increase in your sales. If you were really smart business people you could make a fortune from 'Goodbye To Golly' merchandise. I know I would buy some for my family, so please consider doing so. I don't think it would be cynical at all, just giving us all the chance to say farewell to a beloved friend.
Please don't listen to those who would denigrate and despise the Golly, normal, ordinary British people love him for who he is, he represents only himself and a splendid company.
Good luck in your new venture, but don't forget it isn't always young people who dictate what we buy.
RegardsThe Independent – 25th August 2001
Sir,
It is with great sadness that we note the demise of the Robertsons Golly. Breakfast will never be the same again.
This is the end of an era. A farewell to a much loved childhood nursery friend.
Goodbye Golly – we will miss you.
Daily Express – 28th August 2001
What sad news that Robertsons have decided to retire their Golly after so many happy years.
We are told he was not pulling his weight yet he was relegated to one small image on a label – hardly intensive advertising! Yet more than 20 million badges etc have been collected over the years.
Gollies should be an integral part of childhood along with teddies and dolls prams and rocking horses. The end of another era.
Goodbye Golly – you will be sadly missed!
Western Morning News – 30th August 2001
Poor Golly! After decades of giving pleasure to generations of adults and children, Robertsons have decided to replace him with Roald Dahl characters.
He was more than a logo, more than a Golly Badge – imagine Granny knitting a cuddly Willy Wonka out of scraps of old wool? My dear – it would just never be the same!!!!!!
The Sun – 28th August 2001
I am among a group of dedicated Golly badge collectors who are disappointed at Robertson's decision to drop him from their marmalade jars after 91 years.
This smacks of yet another British company bowing to politically correct pressure.
Both Jenny and Louise are active members of the on-line collecting community.
The author of this letter is Ian Craig. It was first published in the September 2001 Badger newsletter.
It is reproduced here with the kind permission of both Ian Craig and Frank Setchfield (of the
Ian Craig is known to many collectors for producing A Badge Collector's Guide as far back as the
I have no idea where I was when I heard the news that John F. Kennedy had been shot. I do know I was enjoying a teenage snog on a balcony in Mablethorpe, under a romantic seaside sky, when mankind took his "giant leap" on the moon. And I recall all too vividly when the News At Ten began receiving "unconfirmed reports" from Memphis Tennessee that the King of Rock'n'Roll was dead. Certain things punctuate your life. Like, on the 23rd August 2001, a large 7" x 8" full colour picture of the Golly Golfer in The Times, (no less).
The loss of Golly is not a great tradgedy. It's not as bad as Paul leaving The Beatles. But it is a very significant event for those of us who subscribe to this publication, coming together at Swopmeets, chatting and speculating about future Golly Brooch issues. Whether you love him or hate him, I defy anyone to tell me that "Tade Union", "Song" or even "Butlins" badges ever raised the same level of passion among readers.
I remember during the 1990's writing a "final" article, (one of many!), for Keith's Golly Newsletter in which I speculated that, when the end came for Golly, it would not be because of the Commission for Racial Equality. It would more likely be that children's habits change. They think differently than "we" did. They are taught to be more sensitive of certain issues, and then they go out and purchase computer games whose characters boast cup-sizes beyond Jayne Mansfield's wildest dreams. Times change. And, according to Robertsons, that's simply what has happened.
But it's not the full story is it? I can't remember seeing a child eating jam sandwiches for packed lunch during my 27 years of teaching. I can't remember seeing a child wearing a Golly Brooch since I became a serious collector c. 1980. It wasn't children who shared my obsession in the mid 1980's, or who now establish a proliferation of Golly web sites at the turn of the decade. It was adult collectors, who first found a common meeting place in the pages of The Badger. And I think it has been a breakdown in communication between Robertsons and collectors (and among collectors themselves), which has hurried the Golly's demise.
Of course the real surprise is that it should happen at this moment in time. It seemed recently that Robertsons were investing more in the Golly. The "Decades" brooch range, (which I love), had followed on in fairly quick succession from the "King & Queen" set. During this time frame we'd also had the limited editions "Millennium", "Gollympic Games", (presented in a fusty old family bible for reasons which escape me), "Golly's Diary", (same box but better reasoning), and "Farmer". (It wasn't the most opportune of times to be issuing a Farmer was it it? But they weren't to know).
Criticising these items, (the two box sets almost converting me to an acrylic Golly fan overnight), is not pointless. But think for a while on how you heard about them? Who told you they were available? Had the Golly Information highway of the 1980's become a secret society? Did you have to be "on the Net"? Long after they were sold out I would hear from collectors who didn't even know these limited editions had been available. And yet I remember so well how exciting it used to be the actual "point of sale" seeing the Commemorative Range on the labels, and Ali Jam Jar on the lids. Communication had broken down. "But they couldn't put Golly on the labels" I hear you say. Okay, but at least put some text on there. Tell me when a new badge is coming out. The "will I won't I get one" syndrome caused some Golly Junkies more stress than pleasure. Enthusiasms can wane, and if I'm honest, mine was.
Nevertheless, even though I think the box sets were an attempt to cash in one the (sadly) lucrative Golly market, (not the proper domain of a company operating a loyalty scheme), I can only praise Robertsons for the substantial output we've had starting with the excellent Musician brooch range. On the very rare occasions when I've spoken on the phone regarding any of these issues they were never less than extremely helpful.
Although it doesn't make popular reading I would level more criticism at certain trends among Golly collectors. High street magazines encourage an emphasis not on the passion of collecting on profit and investment. "Don't bore me with your research about when the large bow tied Standard walking Golly was issued, just tell me what I can get for it!" Last minute "hits" on an auction web site hold a fascination I'm sure. But that's a different kind of fascination than that which brought many of us together in The Badger's "Robertson's Round-Up", Colin Dodds first booklets, and later a stunning exhibition in Paisley 2000.
The Roald Dahl badges now proposed by Robertson's will fail, like "Shredhead" and the "Jelly Babies" before them. They weren't intended to be badges. They were intended to flicker with the pages of a book through your imagination. Like their illustrations suggest, never quite tangible. The whole point about Golly is he was a badge. Almost from the first he was conceived as a beautiful metal, enamel brooch. From the moment Miller's original "Jolly Golly Golfer" saw the light of day, all previous incarnations in tin, bakelite, or on price lists, were rendered null and void. Badge collecting without the "King of the Badges" is going to seem very strange indeed.
So, will he make a comeback? No. He can't. Imagine the controversy that would raise after so public an announcement on his retirement. Money brings back Freddie Kruger. It even once persuaded Connery to revisit Bond. But the Golly is gone.
I would wish Golly a very happy retirement. After all, c.90 years is a long working life for even the sturdiest of badges. I would hope he now find time to dust off the old green guitar he was carrying around when I first met him, and chills out a while. We learned a lot about him when he was here, (from myself, then Colin, then Jerry), but now that Golly has finally "left the building" it's strange he remains such an enigma.
The author of this article is John Manley. It was first published in the May 2002 newsletter of the Badge Collectors Circle – The Badger. It is reproduced here with the kind permission of both John Manley and
There are several sources which give information on badge manufacturers. There is of course the reverse of the badge, trade directories, trade catalogues, and other sources. Looking through the old trade directories for Birmingham and London from the 1890's through to the early 1970's shows that most companies listed as manufacturers have at one time or another used their own marks on the reverse of badges. Some, such as Miller and Thomas Fattorini always used their own marks, but a few have never done so.
As many as 50% of enamel badges do not have any marks on the back. There are a variety of plausible reasons for this, but it seems odd that free advertising was not taken up by every manufacturer. I suspect that a number of unmarked badges were produced by the large number of provincial and regional towns' jewellers. A few of these did however mark the badges they made and provide clues for this hypothesis. For example, Zelley's of Bishops Stortford in Hertfordshire are a small family run jewellery business, still in existence, who in the 1960's produced a few enamel badges. Only one design has so far been found, the Herts County Bowling Association, and interestingly the same design was also made by more notable firms including Miller, Collins and one with no mark.
Another example is the mark of R.A.J. & S. of Southend, Essex. Robert Arthur Jones was a watchmaker. They also produced a few enamel badges, but only eight designs have so far been found, some of which were also produced by Miller, and again one with no makers' mark.
The marks on the reverse of badges would appear, on first inspection, to be those of the manufacturer, but that is not always the case. I have discovered that many of the marks are those of retail distributers or agents. Most regional towns and cities don't have their own local manufacturers, but they did have many jewellers and department stores that advertised as supplying badges, and where customers would often go to get a badge made. These retailers would have acted as agents in many cases, but not all, for the big Birmingham and London manufaturers. Some would have had enough clout to get the Birmingham manufacturers to put their names on the reverse, and so it can be difficult to know who actually made them. The occurrence of a name on the reverse of a badge should be followed up by more careful study, especially for unusual names.
There seem to be several categories of badge manufacturers, those soley producing badges, those that produced badges as a side line and those that occassionally ptoduced badges. Most manufacturers hail from the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, and many were initially jewellers who eventually produced badges as the major part of their business. The manufacturers Miller, Thomas Fattorini, Fattorini & Sons and J.R. Gaunt dominated the market, but as the manufacturing process was divided into several parts, each of which could be sub-contracted out, then many who were advertising in the directories simply managed the contracting of the individual manufacturing processes. There separate processes, such as die making, stamping, enamelling, and plating required different skills and so could easily be conducted by the numerous individuals, out workers or small firms in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter area.
I have found that most of the commonly available badges exist from several manufacturers. There are several possible reasons for this, including re-tendering for a second batch, an initial order for a large number which was beyond the scope of just one manufacturer. An example of this is the Golly badges of the 1950's that were produced by as many as twenty different manufacturers as Miller couldn't, or wouldn't (?), cope with the demand. I suggest wouldn't as relaince on just one customer is potentially a disasterous business plan.
Other notable badge firms W.O.Lewis, W.Reeves, Toye Kenning & Spencer (earlier badges from the separate companies of Toye & Co, Kenning & Son, or Spencer), Vaughtons, Birmingham Medal Company, L. Simpson, Marples & Beasley, B.H.Collkins, Butler, W.J.Dingley, J.Pinches, Jewellery Metal Co., Roden, F.Cobb, Davis Badge, Gladman & Norman, Caxton, W.H.Darby, H.Slingsby, J.A.Wylie, T.N.Priest, Squire, Firmin, London Badge, Strattons, Kirkwood, Morton T. Colver, Alexander Clark, Lambournes, Usher and many more besides. Acquisitions and mergers also are an interesting subkect and I hope to cover this in a later article. The forms of Coffer and R.E.V. Gomm I have been reliably informed sub-contracted the individual parts out, and didn't make badges themselves. I have a total of over 300 manufacturers listed so far. The top ten in the database are: Unkown 45.2%, Miller 16.7%, Thomas Fattorini 6.9%, Fattorini & Sons 5.5%, J.R.Gaunt 3.4%, W.O.Lewis 1.8%, W.Reeves 1.7%, Toye Kenning & Spencer 0.9%, Vaughtons 0.9%, Birmingham Medal 0.9%.
Badge manufacturers each seem to have had their own niche markets, and although they obviously overlapped, it is interesting that by categorising badges against manufacturers some interesting results can be obtained. For example J.R.Gaunt specialised in military badges, W.Reeves in Speedway and Football badges, W.O.Lewis in political badges, Coffer in Football badges, R.E.V. Gomm the Golly badges of the 1970's, Jewellery Metal Company in Butlin Badges including large numbers of Bowling, Religous and Youth Badges, and Fattorini & Sons who seems to have produced in thw widest of badge categories.
In conclusion, the manufacture of enamel badges evolved and changed considerably oduring the last century, and the way the trade worked was complex. Each manufacturer developed their own markets and methods of production, some balancing high demand by sub-contracting. The existence of a mark on the reverse does not conclude that it was the manufacturer without furter investigation.
If anybody has manufacturers catalogues or adverts or other material or information I would be very interested in obtaining photocopies or hearing from them.
The author of this article is John Manley. It was first published in the July 2001 newsletter of the Badge Collectors Circle – The Badger. It is reproduced here with the kind permission of both John Manley and
Miller badges must surely be the best designed and produced enamel badges that there has ever been. They were responsible for the original Golly designs, most of the song badges, and numerous other figural and advertising designs, as well as the run of the mill bowling and religious badges. Those of Thomas Fattorini are not far behind however, but many of the other manufacturers lack that certain class that Miller had. I've written this article as I've started a major project to produce a catalogue of all British made enamel badges, and some of the results are already quite interesting. I'm using a database on my computer in which all the designs are entered with as much information as I have. The power of the computer then allows very sophisticated sorting and searching. From information on known dated Miller badges it is clear that they used a variety of different marks on the backs, which changed over time. I've also used the trade directories to establish where they were at known dates in a continuous series. With snippets of information from fellow collectors I can now say that the following is, I believe a fairly accurate listing.
Miller curved
| Miller straight
| Dates
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Wm.MILLER 118 BRANSTON ST. B'HAM | ||
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W.MILLER 118 BRANSTON ST. BIRMINGHAM | 1928 | |
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W.MILLER 118 BRANSTON ST. B'HAM |
W.MILLER 118 BRANSTON ST. B'HAM | 1929–1932 |
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MILLER 118 BRANSTON ST. B'HAM |
MILLER 118 BRANSTON ST. B'HAM | 1931–1934 |
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H.W.MILLER LTD BRANSTON ST. B'HAM.18 |
H.W.MILLER LTD BRANSTON ST. B'HAM.18 | 1935–1958 |
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H.W.MILLER LTD B'HAM.18 |
H.W.MILLER LTD B'HAM.18 | 1957–1974 (1976) |
| H.W.M. | 1935–1974 |
William Miller was listed in the 1881 census, aged 5, the son of a silver locket maker of Birmingham. I've been told that he worked for the firm of Thomas Fattorini, where presumably he learnt the enamel badge trade. He was also a deeply religous man, and often produced religous badges at cost only. He is first listed in the Birmingham trade directories in 1921 at 21 Hylton Street, Birmingham, and was there until 1924. Has any one ever seen a Miller badge with this address on it? I'd be most interested to see one. In 1925 he had moved to 118 Branston Street, where the firm stayed until 1978. H.W.Miller (Harold William), I presume the son, took over the business in 1935. I guess that William died around 1932 for between 1932 and 1935 only Miller was used as the mark. The firm was taken over by Toye Kenning and Spencer in 1974, and was shut in 1978.
The marks are different for lapel fittings, but the wording is the same. There is some over lap between the marks, and I'm lacking data on the early ones. However, the above table is fairly accurate, but I welcome comment. Beware that most badges can not easily be dated. I've only used conference and other badges that can be accurately dated.
Millers were, incidentally, responsible for about 17% of the total number of designs. I'm also producing data on the marks of Thomas Fattorini, and Fattorini & Sons. The marks of the firm of Fattorini and Sons, an entirely different firm from Thomas Fattorini, until 1983, are more numerous. If any one has data on these and some of the other badge manufacturers I'd be very interested.
The author of this article is John Manley. It was first published in the November 2001 newsletter of the Badge Collectors Circle – The Badger. It is reproduced here with the kind permission of both John Manley and
In 1881 John Fattorini of Manningham, Yorkshire near Bradford was a goldsmith employing 12 men and 2 boys. At that time he had several sons who later joined him to become Fattorini & Sons. Fattorini and Sons started off in Bradford before moving to Birminhgam. They are first listed in the Birmingham trade directories in 1917. They produced a wide range of badges over the years and were acquired by their namesake Thomas Fattorini in 1983. They also had offices in London and Glasgow, with the Glasgow mark occasionally featuring on the badges.
Unlike most manufacturers there are many marks that can be used to date Fattorini & Sons badges, especially early on. Look out for the presence and absence, and differences between the abbreviated limited, as there are several subtle differences. The words House and Works are also clues. The abbreviations of F&S are frequently used where there is limited room on the badges and co-exist with the full name. This is a much simplified table and the arrangement of wording may be important in dating. Note that the Bradford Mark was used well after the Birmingham factory was opened. For example there are numerous badges with the wording arranged in a circle, but I do not have any dated badges with these marks. There are many gaps that need filling in, so get those badges out! Those in bold appear to form a 'continuous' series with some overlaps.
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FATTORINI & SONS BRADFORD | 1908–1928 | |
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FATTORINI BRADFORD | 1911–1913 | |
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FATTORINI & SONS LTD BRADFORD | ||
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FATTORINI & SONS LTD BRADFORD HOUSE BIRMINGHAM | 1928–1932 | |
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FATTORINI & SONS BRADFORD HOUSE BIRMINGHAM | 1931–1935 | |
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FATTORINI & SONS LTD BRADFORD WORKS BIRMINGHAM | 1933–1939 | & B'HAM |
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FATTORINI & SONS LD BRADFORD WORKS BIRMINGHAM | 1945–1954 | & B'HAM |
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FATTORINI & SONS LD 36 BARR ST. BIRMINGHAM | 1954–1960 | & B'HAM With & Without 36. |
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FATTORINI & SONS LD 36 BARR ST B'HAM | 1961 | In irregular hexagon. Also LTD |
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FATTORINI & SONS 36 BARR ST. B'HAM | 1962–1967 | |
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FATTORINI & SONS 36 BARR ST. BIRMINGHAM | 1967–1970 | Plain and in oblong |
| F & S | 1964 | |
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F & S B'HAM | 1960–1962 | |
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F & S LTD BARR ST. B'HAM | 1959 | |
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FATTORINI GLASGOW | ||
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FATTORINI & SON GLASGOW | 1936 | |
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FATTORINI & SON LTD 17 HOPE ST. GLASGOW | ||
| FATTORINI & SONS LTD | Curved |
The author of this article is John Manley. It was first published in the May 2002 newsletter of the Badge Collectors Circle – The Badger. It is reproduced here with the kind permission of both John Manley and
As part of the continuing series on manufacturers marks of W.Reeves are described here. They first advertised as badges manufacturers in the Birmingham trade directories of 1947 as Reeves W. & Co. (jewellers) Ltd. Reeves concentrated on the production of badges for the Speedway and Football markets, and also for Butlins. Over the years the marks changed and can be used as a rough guide to date badges.
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W.REEVES & Co LD TENBY ST BIRMINGHAM 1 | 1947–1950 | |
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W.REEVES & Co (JEWELLERS) 31-33 TENBY STREET BIRMINGHAM | 1950–1952 | |
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W.REEVES & Co LTD BIRMINGHAM | In box | 1954–1969 |
| W.REEVES & Co LTD B'HAM | In box | 1968–1969 |
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W.REEVES & CO LTD 30 TENBY ST BIRMINGHAM 1 | In box | 1968–1969 |
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W.REEVES & CO LTD 30/33 TENBY STREET BIRMINGHAM B1 3EE | In box | 1972–1984 |
The author of this article is John Perrott. It was first published in the Dec 1999/Jan 2000 newsletter of the New Golly Collector's Club. It is reproduced here with the kind permission of both John Perrott and Keith Wilkinson (of the New Golly Collector's Club).
If, like me, you've read Colin Dodd's two books, you will be familiar with Appendix 1 of the Golly Handbook which lists the Golly Leaflets. Colin also lists when the major badge variants were issued and withdrawn. I felt I wanted to see a display showing when the different badges were available, I particularly wanted to see how this fits in with the relative scarcity and high prices of some badges.
Check out the "Periods Of Issue" table below – the coloured boxes represents the approximate amount of time each badge was available. I've assumed they were in offer mid year to mid year. The different colours distinguish major variations. Not all the variants are listed in Colin's book, presumably due to insufficient space to show it all e.g. the Jogger with the pointed feet is not shown. The comments that follow are my views – I do not pretend to be an expert in the same league as Colin Dodds or other club members, so apologies in advance for errors or mis-interpretations (corrections welcome).
The Standard Golly was on issue for around 8 years, closely followed by the Astronaut, Cowboy and the Doctor. Badges issued during 1981 lasted about a years and were around for the shortest period, but are not necessarily the scarcest. The hardest ones (and most expensive) I have found to get hold of are those issued in 1982, namely the Bagpiper, Lollipopman, Cricketer, Guitarist and Tennis Player. These appear to have been available over 3 year period – a year longer than the final issues of 1988 – 90.
Why does the long hose Fireman cost more than the short hose version when it was available for twice as long. The Milkman was around for 4 years yet seems harder to find than the Ambulanceman available for a year less. And I still have to find the Butcher badge which was around for 2 years – the same period as the short hose Fireman which isn't that hard to find.
There must be other factors at work which have limited numbers available and pushed prices up. These could include:
So – given the millions of Golly badges that have been produced and given there are only a few hundred collectors out of about 56m people resident in the UK, there must be either 4 or 5 badges as permanent fixtures in every kitchen junk drawer in Britain, or a few well placed people have cornered the market and holding collectors to ransom! I would be very interested to hear collectors' views – and/or see more detailed information on dates of issues and withdrawal.
| Design | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Five Fruits | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Commem. | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Cyclist | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Skier | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Footballer | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Gold=White Boots, Blue=Pointed Black Boots, Red=Round Black Boots | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bagpiper | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Golfer | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Gold=Metal Club, Blue=Yellow Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lollipopman | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Cricketer | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Guitarist | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Tennis Player | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Motorcyclist | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Standard | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Astronaut | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Viota Baker | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Cowboy | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Doctor | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Design | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fireman | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Gold=Long Hose, Blue=Short Hose | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policeman | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Gold=With Bobble, Blue=No Bobble | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Butcher | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Fisherman | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Milkman | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Nurse | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Ambulanceman | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Mountie | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Postman | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Sailor | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| American Footb. | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Brownie | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Jogger | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | (Square Foot) | |||||||||
| Darts Player | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Car Driver | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Engine Driver | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Racing Car | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Snooker Player | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. on issue at year end | 9 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source: Robertson's Golly Handbook by Colin Dodds, Appendix 1 "The Golly Leaflets"
That's interesting that you should hear from another ex-Robs employee. I worked in the finishing room in 1974–1976, so it's possible that I knew the other person who wrote to you. It is indeed a small world. I remember one part of my job was sitting in front of a conveyor belt where the jars of jam would pass by in a single line. Behind the jars would be a very powerful light which enabled you to look right through the jars and see any foreign objects in the jam. Usually during the summer months the culprits were wasps or bees. I like to tell my friends here in Canada that I used to be a bumble-bee inspector in England, it always raises a laugh or two. (Anon.)
".....when he was 16 she got him a temporary job as a driver's mate in one of those bright yellow 'Golly Lorries'"
My husband lived in Brislington, Bristol in the 1950's and his mother worked in the offices of the James Robertson's Factory Site which was in Water Lane, Brislington it was only about a 10 minute walk from his home and when he was 16 she got him a temporary job as a driver's mate in one of those bright yellow 'Golly Lorries'. Later on when he had finished school he then started work in the Factory where all the Jam, Mincemeat and Fruit Squashes were made and he was given many spare badges, pottery figures, necklaces and all other odd bits and pieces of corporate memborabilia which he looked after very carefully.
However, in the 70's the factory closed and was demolished (a Tesco Superstore is on the site now) and he found work elsewhere and then we moved away from the area, but with a young family in the late '70's we started collecting the badges again. We have about 16 old ones from the 50's and 28 from the 70's & 80's we also have about 26 of the little pottery gollies.
If we had known how popular they would become Charles would have brought more home from work!
(Published with permission of Brenda Travis taken from a personal email dated January 2000).
I have to say I am dubious about your Helicopter Golly though; it's OK for golly to hold a prop of some kind, but when the prop is bigger than golly then for some reason it doesn't work so well (as in the racing car, steam engine, jet plane). Maybe because the essential appeal lies in the character itself, not the activity involved?
In the 1980s it became apparent that the strict design-school style of the New
Look was restricting the designs: the unnatural poses did not work for the
more active versions of golly and I'm sure this style became a restriction
on new designs. The 1990s style allowed more natural poses: look at the
baseball player, the skateboarder, the tennis player – and as for the
footballer, that leaves all previous designs looking very frozen, cold and
uninteresting indeed!
Even the surfer, which only partly shows a clear
golly silhouette (and hence suffers from the prop-too-big problem), has a
very jaunty athletic look to it. I agree the standard is no improvement but
there the comparison is with a well-established design icon, so well-known
it is embedded in our culture; a fair comparison would require a more
objective view. I for one am sick of seeing golly standing legs astride
with one hand on hip and the other pointing up in the air for no apparent
reason! Like sitting with your legs crossed, this is simply no longer a
popular pose in real life. What do you think? Is the New Look the best?
(Published with permission of Golux taken from a personal email dated August 1998).
We're preparing a small Web site to celebrate 50 years of the DNA double helix this year. This will be primarily an educational site and will be available to users free-of-charge. The site includes DNA 'ephemera' - things like furniture, stamps, coins etc inspired by the double helix or in some way associated with DNA.
On your Golly Web site, you have a photographs of the Golly DNA badge from 2001. Unlike a lot of the DNA items we've come across, the Golly one is remarkably accurate.
The things which make the DNA drawing accurate (and are woefully neglected in numerous textbooks, other DNA items and so on) are:
These may seem like trivial details (perhaps to most people they are), but they do show that the person who designed the Golly badge did his or her research - they must have cared about what they were doing.
(Published with permission from Dr Dean Madden, NCBE, The University of Reading taken from personal emails dated January 2003. These comments have also been relayed back to the designers of this set at Robertson's).I did, successfully, repair one damaged brooch. My children bought the 80's Dart's Player from a bric-a-brac stall. Essentially, the previous owner had trodden on it!
I reshaped the pin with small electrical pliers.
My repairs to the paint were a little convoluted, but stick with me.
First of all, I thoroughly cleaned the brooch surface with Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol). This removes any "tacky" material prior to painting.
The nearest matches I could find for the red and blue were Humbrol 19, Gloss Red, and Humbrol 15, Gloss Blue.
Rather than repair an area, I decided to paint the whole jacket and trousers.
I decided to use an airbrush, primarily because I have one! This is a really expensive option as I have a Badger 150 airbrush with a German compressor. It used to be a hobby of mine.
With a low-tack masking tape, I resprayed the whole jacket and trousers.
Ok, so how do we do this without the airbrush?
Use a good quality sable brush.
Thin the paint with approximately 25% enamel thinners (use the Humbrol, I haven't found any better).
Brushes come in different widths. The bigger the number, the bigger the brush.
The smallest is the 000 for small detail work. Complete waste of time.
I always use a number 2 and pay a lot for it. This brush holds more paint (like a cartridge fountain pen) and if it's expensive it will have a perfect tip that matches any smaller brush.
If the surface is badly pitted, then you need to prepare the surface prior to painting. You can't use the paint to fill holes; it isn't solid. Again, I have a miniature drill (similar to a Dremel) with a variety of abrasive heads plus a number of dentist tools, so I cleaned up the area and then applied very small amounts of model filler (this is similar to automotive knife putty, but even smoother).
Sounds like a lot of work? It was but I did it as and when I had the time.
The marks in the gollies right hand eye is from the crease in the metal where it has been returned to its original flatness.
The white parts of the dart board should have been painted, but white is the worst colour to paint with, so I avoid it where I can.
I think the jacket and trousers look pretty damn good, though!
(Published with the permission of John E Allen. Taken from personal emails dated February 2001).
