Rare Antique Primrose League ‘SPECIAL SERVICE 1910’ Badge

A rare original 1910 Primrose League gilt and enamel badge, retaining original pin fittings, including a bar to hold a ribbon. The reverse the reverse with maker's details "T & JB" (T & J Bragg Ltd Birmingham), and Registered Design number Rd 41563 which dates the design to 1886, with only the year of presentation being changed.

 

The badge has a small area of damage to one of the petals of the primrose flowers.

The badge is in used antique condition, it measures approx. 4.3cmby 2cm.

 

The Primrose League was a political group with conservative values. It was named after the "favourite flower" of Benjamin Disraeli who was a central figure in the remodelling of the Conservative Party in 1846. The motto was Imperium et libertas; the seal, three primroses; and the badge, a monogram containing the letters PL, surrounded by primroses. The Primrose League was set up by Sir Henry Drummond Wolff and Lord Randolph Churchill (Father of Sir Winston Churchill who became head of the league during the mid 1900s).
The league seeked to uphold the following statutes:
- To Uphold and support God, Queen/King, and Country, and the Conservative cause;
- To provide an effective voice to represent the interests of our members and to bring the experience of the Leaders to bear on the conduct of public affairs for the common good;
- To encourage and help our members to improve their professional competence as leaders;
- To fight for free enterprise.
However, these aims were not published until the 1970s, a long time after its formation in 1846. The party went into decline in the 1990s but did not officially disband until 2004. The Primrose League was resurrected on 3^rd April 2023