Just received the following picture of a great display David Oertle put together for a recent lodge function. It presents particularly early pieces from Sanhican Lodge from Trenton, NJ. Click on the image for a larger view.

A favorite quote of mine comes from collector Dr. Jeff Morley – “What we know about pre-WW 2 Order of the Arrow is an accident.” Everything in David’s display is pre-1940. Just amazing. The 2 R1 is one of the earliest OA patches, not just the first issue for lodge 2 but one of the first lodge patches period. It dates to roughly 1928 and is contemporaneous with the 1 R2 (formerly 1 R1). Similar design. Similar material. Probably made by the same company.

Also, the membership card is noteworthy not just for its vintage but it does not show a lodge number. This could have been made before lodges were numbered.

We know the name of the recipient of the Vigil sash. It was from a Lodge 2 member who received it in 1935. From some research Paul Myers is doing on Vigil memorabilia, there were barely more than 100 Vigils in the whole country as of this time. The hobby generally does not realize how rare and scarce these early Vigil items are. All in all a wonderful display. Often it is not quantity but quality that really matters. And it is much more than just patches that make for an interesting display. (One piece that others should draw from this display are the notes that David added to the frame. This helps provide context for lay audience and new collectors.) Well done David.