Tinman Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 I found this "Space Cadet" pin over the weekend at one of those traveling flea markets (Big Flea) but haven't found much on it; an example sold on the card a few years ago at a Hake's auction but other than that I'm drawing blanks. It's obviously affiliated with Tom Corbett Space Cadet and probably dates to the early-mid 50's; has anyone else seen this before? Hake's auction pic: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinplate6 Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Bill, I have seen many Space Cadet pins, but never one like this; the chrome plating is unusual. Yours appears to be mint, even better than the one from Hake's auction. It was most likely a locally offered item, Rockhill Radio is a station in South Carolina; WRHI AM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian.. Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Never seen that one, and I love it. Great catch, Bill., Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 After a little more searching I'm thinking the Hake's auction item was a marriage of card and pin. I noticed the auction's card had a circular spot of faded color and later found the below pic; I think the circular badge is the correct item offered on card and not the pin I found. I'm still thinking the pin is vintage cause there would probably be a lot more of them floating around if it was something newly produced...but it's a guess for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinplate6 Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Are there any marks on the back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted October 25, 2016 Author Share Posted October 25, 2016 Yeah, no markings at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share Posted March 5, 2017 I added another Space Cadet pin to my collection and as before, haven't seen it before. It's in the same style as the pin I found in October 2016 and has the same gold-chrome plating. The rocket looks like the one on the badge in the above pic but I still haven't been able to connect it as an official premium of the TV show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe K. Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 Bill - Check out this Hake's auction from 2011: https://www.hakes.com/Auction/ItemDetail/65853/TOM-CORBETT-SPACE-CADET-1954-SCARCE-PIN-FROM-SEARS "1.5" tall very elaborate die-cut design of Space Cadet with rocket ship accent and simulated linked chains at the lower corners of the human figure. Bottom center also has tiny Space Cadet logo. Item is finished in brilliant gold luster plus red and blue enamel paint. This pin came with the purchase of a boxed Tom Corbett flashlight. Beautiful NM glossy luster." This Hake's auction from 2014 indicates the rocket pin also came with some flashlights: https://www.hakes.com/Auction/ItemDetail/90377/TOM-CORBETT-SPACE-CADET-PAIR-OF-SCARCE-1954-PINS-FROM-SEARS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe K. Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 O.K. I think I've figured this one out. Here's an Alphadrome entry for the Space Patrol Rocket Lite spotted in a 1954 Sears catalog: This image, from that post, shows a Tom Corbett Flashlight PLUS Space Cadet Kit. Unless I'm mistaken, the rocket pin and the cadet pin are depicted along with a Tom Corbett "face" ring: Now, to find a better picture of this ad in another 1954 Sears Christmas catalog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share Posted March 5, 2017 Joe, you certainly did...many thanks!!! Wow, for being official Tom Corbett gear the pins are never seen; the rings can be found but their condition is usually less than desirable; the rocket pin in the 2014 auction is in ROUGH shape...now I feel fortunate to get one in such good shape. As you mentioned, I'd love to find a better clipping from the Sears catalog. Thanks again! 2014 Hake's auction rocket pin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe K. Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 A better image of the 1954 Sears ad found in The Big Toy Box at Sears 1951 - 1969, Edited by Peter Fritz and John Mautner. Here's what the ad copy reads: An exciting gift ! Big 6 7/8-inch colorfully lithographed steel flashlight has Siren built into end cap. Kit includes Ring, Badge, a Space Pin as shown or a small toy compass (sorry, no choice). Flashlight has 500-ft. spot beam. Plastic lens. Red Plastic Head lights up around head for danger signals. Flasher button for code signaling. With bulb, 2 leakproof batteries. Attractively boxed. 34 N 4449 --- Shpg. wt. 3 lbs. 5 oz. . $1.59 Checking the 1953 Sears catalog in the same book, there is another ad for the flashlight and a different kit. It reads: Colorfully lithographed 6 7/8-inch steel flashlight with built-in siren. Tom Corbett Space Cadet Kit, PLUS Planet Distance Guide and Interplanetary Weight Chart. Kit includes ring, badge and real compass with plastic wrist band. Flashlight throws 500-ft. spot beam. Plastic lens. Red plastic head lights up around rim for danger signals. Flasher button for signaling. Bulb, 2 batteries included. 34 N 4449 --- Shpg. wt. 3 lbs. 5 oz. . $1.59 The line drawing in that ad shows these three pieces: Perhaps the "small toy compass (sorry no choice)" offered in 1954 was left over from 1953? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe K. Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 The 1954 ad: The 1953 ad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share Posted March 21, 2017 Thanks Joe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tikidoc Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Not quite as cool as the others but I just found this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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