GEMSCO (General Embroidery and Military Supply Co) of New York, NY: examples and patterns

[wartimecollectables.com]

This was sent to me by a gentleman who has done extensive work on insignia history.
Kinda cinches the origin of the GEMSCO name.

[Sabrejet]

That explains why they were known for their quality patches. Same acronym style of name as AMICO's...American Insignia Co.

[cwnorma]

Andrew,

 

Great ad! Any idea of the date of the publication it was pulled from? The CPO badge appears to a WW1 style... Of course that could just be the illustration, the typesetter had on hand, but it would be interesting to know how early GEMSCO dates...

 

Chris

[roadrunner]

Andrew,

 

Great ad! Any idea of the date of the publication it was pulled from? The CPO badge appears to a WW1 style... Of course that could just be the illustration, the typesetter had on hand, but it would be interesting to know how early GEMSCO dates...

 

Chris

And the eagle of the Navy officer cap badge looks to the right side ( his own left side ).

 

Michael

[wartimecollectables.com]

This Ad comes from the June 1921 issue of a magazine called "Our Navy."

[katieony]

Andrew,

An interesting find for sure.

Mike

[rathbonemuseum.com]

Let's start with one of the earlier patterns of GEMSCO wings, which so far I have been only able to find in the pilot class. The wing exhibits "Adams" pattern (official 1919 pattern from the Commission of Fine Arts) with simple, rounded shoulders and overall low-detail in the wings. The shield is crisp if non-descript with thin vertical lines between the columns. The back is strongly struck but exhibits a fairly crude finish with rough die strike lines. The maker mark is raised relief and the sterling mark is incised. If this is more in line with the Adams pattern we might call this first pattern GEMSCO.

[rathbonemuseum.com]

The next series of GEMSCO pilot badges, or second pattern, are more inline with flourishes we find in other manufacturers during the late 1930s and very early 1940s. The overall design is roughly proportional to the first pattern but much more care has been invested in the design of the layered shoulders and the more strongly represented feathers especially the inner row of feathers. The design of the shield is practically unchanged. The back is the same heavy strike with rough die strike marks. The maker marks and silver marks are the same as the first series. I have found a pilot, a custom made senior pilot and beautiful command pilot with a rhodium finish to the front in this pattern.

[rathbonemuseum.com]

The most common WWII pattern of GEMSCO wings, let's call it third pattern, marks a major departure in design and range of badges.  Now we have a very striking, almost oversized impression of massive feathered wings literally surrounding the central shield. The wings are very flat, with a thinner planchet that earlier designs. The shoulders are a layered pattern. The wing feathers are strongly modeled. The bottom wings extend beyond the bottom of the shield and each side connects at the bottom middle. Shown are the pilot and senior pilot but just about every qualification in regulation in 1945 has been produced in this pattern including the Flight Engineer. 

[rathbonemuseum.com]

Here are the letter wings in the WWII pattern

[rathbonemuseum.com]

and rest of crew positions