The Vintage Flower Pins Identification System

The Vintage Costume Flower Pins Identification System is composed of five components: A. pin(s) to be identified B. official identification chart (or table), C. flower pin glossaries (one for Division One and another for Division Two pins) D. blank pin identification tags E. boxes or containers for sales and personal inventory tags

THIS ORIGINAL SYSTEM

This original system was designed by me to identify and categorize vintage 'flower power pins' and 'flower pins'. It is intended for use by anyone to identify and categorize these types of pins, specifically. Actually as vintage jewelry, they were all manufactured in approximately the second half of the 20th century.
The Vintage Costume Flower Pin Chart ©2024 designed by Alison D. Gilbert and Illustrated by Phil Jacobs
B. The pin identification system chart sets up the structure for the system providing a visual description. This blog post also includes definitions, descriptions, explanations, and photos (when available). 
C1. GLOSSARY OF FLOWER POWER PINS ©2024

1. ORIGINAL/CLASSIC

2. DERIVATIVE

3. EMBELLISHED

4. POP ART

5. 3D/GLOBAL

6. MULTI-FLOWER
IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM: DIVISION ONE

Early #1 original one daisy petal layer flower pins

Two examples of #2 Derivative pins
THE PURPOSE OF THE CHART AND GLOSSARY

This chart and glossary clearly provide a universal language for anyone interested in identifying and categorizing 'flower power pins' and 'flower pins'. 
This includes pins designed in roughly the second half of the 20th century. One simply needs to look at the above chart and glossary to identify a flower power pin. This is indeed extraordinary and long over due.
A collection of six #3 embellished flower power pins
NO PREVIOUS DOCUMENTATION

Previously there was no existing, consistent written documentation until now for the entire genre of these wonderful collectibles (flower power pins). 
As a result for the first time in history, this system can at long last provide a universal language for just about every (vintage costume jewelry) 'flower pin' ever made. I hope that this is a great relief and huge help to those who love these pins as much as I do. 
CONSISTENT FORM OF IDENTIFICATION

In providing this system for admirers, collectors, and sellers alike, a consistent form of identifying flower pins for the entire genre of vintage costume flower pins is now available. 
In other words, the results of my extensive research has resulted in a system to identify and classify (just about any) vintage costume flower pin made around the second half of the 20th century. This is how my system works.
 
A #5 3D pin from Southwest Picks from ebay
HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS

First of all, the structure of this system consists of two divisions. Then there are Subdivisions A through Z under the DIVISION TWO pins. Then there are also six categories in DIVISION TWO. 
To summarize in verbal terms, there are two divisions of vintage costume flower pins created primarily around the second half of the 20th century, i.e. DIVISION ONE (anonymous) and DIVISION TWO (identified). Within the Division One subdivision, there are six categories. Refer to the chart at the top of this post for clarification.
A #6 lavender multi flower pin available on etsy
MOVING ON

The two divisions provide a contextual umbrella for the entire genre of 'flower power pins' and 'flower pins' that were manufactured during approximately the second half of the 20th century. Although no one has yet been able to identify where Division One pins came from or who made the, there is much more information about the Division Two Pins.

So after a brief introduction, we will now delve into Division Two Pins. 
 
DIVISION TWO FLOWER PINS

Within the Division Two categories, there are so many possibilities. In fact, they actually fit into a total of 26 subdivisions of A through Z, each one for the possible name of a designer and/or company).
C2.GLOSSARY OF FLOWER PINS ©2024

1. OTHER MATERIAL

2. DERIVATIVE

3. EMBELLISHED

4. POP ART

5. 3D/GLOBAL

6. MULTI-FLOWER
CATEGORIES

After alphabetizing, similar categories to DIVISION ONE can then be applied that further identify the DIVISION TWO pins as well. The only exception is Category #1. That is because it differs in each division. 
Specifically, in DIVISION ONE, #1 represents the original basic single layer daisy petal pin. In DIVISION TWO, #1 represents other material besides metal as the flower base like the Hattie Carnegie Dynel pins.
Dynel is a synthetic material that had a brief life used for a number of items some wearable and some not. But for some reason, Hattie decided to use this material in her pin designs. They must have been very popular because the ones that survive today command a fortune for costume jewelry.
 
Magnificent identified Lis Palacios embellished flower pin.
DIVISION TWO EXAMPLE

Keep in mind that any pin that can be identified by a brand, symbol, initials, or other means of signature belongs in DIVISION TWO. Here is an example of such a pin and the coding that identifies it. D2/Palacios/#1, #3-Gold/brown
In other words, it is a D2 or Division Two, the designer is Liz Palacios, the categories from the Division Two glossary are #1 other material(s), and #3 embellished. Lastly the pin is gold and brown.
JEWELRY IDENTIFICATION MARKS

Finally here are some marks that actually identify the pins right on the back of them. Therefore they are all Division Two. 
A Liz Palacios of San Francisco mark that might appear on a  brooch like the one above.

A variety of Hattie Carnegie marks which identify her as the manufacturer and may also date the jewelry
 
 
 
 
 
The pin identification tag for all your pin information ©2024
 D. THE PIN IDENTIFICATION TAG Here is something special to help keep track of all your pin inventory. 
It is a pin identification tag that I am including as part of this system to add extra help in the organizational process. 
In fact, the pin identification tag provides a handy way to keep track of all the necessary information either for sale purposes or your own collection inventory. You can 'screen grab' it, download, and print it out.
 
 
a suggested pin tag box available on Amazon
 E. A PIN IDENTIFICATION BOX For keeping track of sales and inventory, I would organize pin identification tags like cards in a recipe box. This idea comes from my days as a cook. 
Actually, it was a great way to organize and keep track of recipes. In this case, I would use separate boxes for each purpose. 
Specifically for you own inventory, I would have UP TO 26 dividers (one for each letter of the alphabet). For keeping track of sales, I hope you can be more creative than I can think of to organize the tags how they work best for you. 
Either way, this is an integral part of the system. Wishing you the best with this novel system. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. Happy collecting!
CREDIT FOR MATERIALSMaterials that I have created are available for use by everyone. Please include the copyright information when printing, i.e. ©2024 designed by Alison D. Gilbert and Illustrated by Phil Jacobs
SOURCES & RESOURCES

Liz Palacios Vintage Costume Jewelry

Vintage Costume Jewelry Designer Marks Examples

Collecting Hattie Carnegie and examples of signature

A box to store and organize pin identification tags

The Use of Dynel

Dynel flower pins