I had previously shared a discovery from Ray Gould. Ray has followed up with some additional research.
UPDATE…….I just spoke with the original owner (XXXXXXXXXXXX). His memory was very clear about this: this is the official low-down…
-the medallions were taken to the 1967 NOAC with the purpose of giving them as friendship tokens (he also mentioned that the #357 L-01 was used for the same purpose….you know, the sticker on the piece of vinyl that reads “52 Anniversary, BSA”)
-he mentioned that the Lodge Advisor (Gilbert “Gib” Kohr) at that time worked at Black Clawson (part of the paper industry which was so prevalent in the past her in northern NY) and had the paper decals made at work…..and cut the pieces of wood
-John remembers meeting at the advisor’s home and working at affixing the decals to the wood, shellacing them, and placing the screw-eye with leather loop on them…along with other lodge members
-they were official from the lodge, but not restricted to lodge members only (much like a trading flap would have been…I guess)
that’s the scoop!
-Ray