27/9: Christmas Pins

News tonight of possible London 2012 Christmas pins. I'm not sure if these are going to be retail, but it seems that a set of 5 or 6 pins in a long presentation box with a snowflake overlay have been spotted. More details if I get them.

22/9: Springy Pins

I got my 'Moving Mascot' pins today from Pins and Things. This looks to be the first (and at the time of writing, the only) stockist to have these pins at the moment.

The springy pins are better than I expected and the attachment of the mascot to the backing through the spring feels solid. The spring is 'tight' and the mascot stands firm rather than pulling on the spring. I think this has been achieved by keeping the weight of the mascot as light as possible, this in turn has been achieved by printing the mascot rather than using soft enamel. The distance between the backing and the mascot is 5mm.

We've seen sliding pins from Honav before, so I haven't discussed them here - they're still nice pins though!

Here are a couple of images which attempt to show the structure of the pin.

Partial side view

Top view

As an aside, this was the first order I had placed with Pins and Things and can definitely recommend them. Ordering was easy and delivery was next day 'signed for' - all for £1.99. I understand they have some 2 YTG pins left if you're looking for one or two. Check out their website from my links page (along with the other retailers, many of whom I have used).

19/9: London at Night Set - New Packaging

So, after almost 10 months, the London at Night Set has reappeared with new packaging.

The overall impression is that this one is so much better than before. Whereas before we had a cardboard frame in a cardboard box, this time the pins are presented pined to a black card backboard embossed with 'London at Night'. The board is recessed behind a thin white border into a black wood frame. The back of the frame has mounts for hanging and standing (using two metal posts supplied in the box). The backs of the pins are hidden behind a  black velvet backing card which can be easily removed to gain access to the pin backs. The whole frame is presented in a cardboard display box in black and pink, lined with a centimetre of grey foam for protection. Finally the display box is sold within a white cardboard sleeve to avoid the display box being marked. The display box measures 42 x 17 x 4.5 cm and has gold logos and pin images on the front and back. The frame measures 38.5 x 12.5 x 2 cm (approx).

Pins in Display Box

Front of Display Box

Rear of Display Box

Pins in Frame

2/9: London at Night Set - It's back!!

It's been a while, but the London at Night set is back. The Museum of London will be selling it from 15th September with pre-orders now available.

It's a little difficult to tell from the picture what the frame and backing are made from, so we'll have to wait and see.

2/9: Tour Bus Pin

Some of you may be aware that the ODA run a bus tour around the Olympic Park. The tour lasts about an hour and takes in the major park sites - the Olympic Stadium, Velodrome, Aquatics Centre, Basketball Arena, and the IBC/MPC.

It seems Honav are introducing a pin to recognise the tour, or more accurately the tour bus.

Tour Bus Pin

One of these pins appeared a week ago or so from China and sold for around £20, but now it seems the pin is available from an authorised source. Hux777 is now selling the pin via it's eBay store.

Anyone who's been on the tour, is going as part of the upcoming Open House Weekend or plans to go soon may want to get their hands on one of these pins. If you missed the Open House opportunity and are interested in taking a tour, contact the ODA on 0300 2012 001. It comes highly recommended.