Reference Books
Click for a look inside Volume 1
Click for a look inside volume 2
Roy More. Two volume set with over 2,000 items pictured including over 300 items in full color. Each item also has an estimated value. The books provide extensive background and historical information as well as identification guides. Each volume costs $24.95 or $39.90 for both when ordered together.
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Paul Myer?s latest reference work is a major update to his book BSA Rank Badges. The first edition is the standard we have used in the hobby for fifteen years. This new edition is expanded and is in full color. This edition sets a new standard for reference works in our hobby. Besides covering the ranks Scout through Eagle, the book covers the badges for several related programs. This includes the Achievement Scout badges from the 1920s for handicapped Scouts, the Scout Badge program, and the combined rank badges (where the rank and the youth postion were designed into one badge) from the 1920s. There is even a section on patch manufacturing with pictures of historical loom embroidery machines in action. In all, it is the new definitive work on this area of our hobby. List price - $25.
Dr. Ron Aldridge. A massive, 900 page, two volume set covering all issues of badges and memorabilia for the OA at national events. Over 4,000 pictures. This is more pictures than any other reference work. It includes NOACs, National Jamborees, Philmont Trks, National Committee itesm and more. The set costs $50 plus $6 for priority mail.
American Scouting Historical Society. Second edition issued in 1998. It is the most extensive catalog of OA items. Compiled by over 100 editors representing the different states and regions so as to get the best available knowledge and bring it to you. Over 23,000 enteries and 700 pages. We still carry this edition because it is, in our opinion, the most useful as it is the last edition that came in one volume. There are more recent printings, which we have, but they are two or three volumes and are unwieldly at best. Price is still only $10 plus $3 for postage.
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Dave Thomas. This book is 208 pages with over 700 full-color pictures of the first flaps from every lodge. Dr. Jeff Morley and Bill Topkis, authors of the first edition of First Flaps collaborated with Dave on this to make it the most authoritative reference for First Flaps. Their original work was trend setting and is out of print. This takes this area even further. Our hobby has never before had a full color through out reference book. It also includes a valuation guide as well as a ranking of each flap. Cost is $29.95 plus $4.50 for postage.
Grove, Terry. Cost $25 for softcover. $35 for hard cover. This is the most thorough treatment of Eagle medals, patches, hat pins, ribbon bars, and knots. It is well researched and illustrated. It is the standard classification scheme for Eagle medals.
Out of Print Books - From time to time these may come up on sales lists
Alan O'Conner, Jeff Morley, DDS with conclave section by Dave Minnihan. Out of print.
Bischel, Dwight, (c) 1952. The first illustrated OA handbook. The definition of 'WAB' issues. There is detailed information about the patches, lodge histories and totems. To indicate how tough this collection is, we are not sure that any one in the country has a complete 'WAB' collection at this time. Out of print.
Breithaupt, Richard Jr. and Albertus HoogeveenThe first in the Arapaho series. This book covers regions, high adventure bases, uniform insignia, council patches and more. It has numerous pictures.
Conley, John and Robert Rogers, 1991, Frankston, TX Catlogs and illustrates most issues of Philmont and Philturn Scout Ranch.
Dingwerth, Frank and Chris Jensen, P.O. Box 1841, Easley, SC 29641. Cost $17.50. The only complete coverage of all badges for the 12 region areas (i.e., prior to 1973). All badges are pictured. Volume II covers badges for the 6 region and 4 region era, post 1972.
Duersch, Jr., Fred, Downs Printing, Hyrum, UT 84319. Cost $8. Complete coverage of this segment of merit badges. All are pictured along with discussion of varieties, issue dates, and number earned.
Fisk, Chuck and Doug Bearce. Salem, OR, 1990. The principle catalog of Scouting and Scout related publications. Covers both fiction and non-fiction.
Franck, Dave, Don Hook, Jim Ellis, and Dr. Tom Jones, 2130 Richbrook Dr., Garland, TX 75044. Cost $22 ppd. Updated yearly, this is the most regularly referred to catalog of CSPs. The valuations are high for the regular/common CSPs but in-line on the better ones.