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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic, Austria => Topic started by: Max on April 25, 2006, 06:02:03 PM

Title: Czech Car Mascot/Badge
Post by: Max on April 25, 2006, 06:02:03 PM

I've bought this interesting car mascot, or badge.  It measures 8cm x 6cm.

The words 'BRANNYM MOTORISMEM'  'K OBRANE VLASTI!' 'SVAZARM' 'AUTOMOBILOVA SOUTEZ' are used.  I think Svazarm is the Czech army, and Automobilova Soutez is a car race...but apart from that I don't know what it all means.

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1635

There's a hammer & sickle and lion rampant if you look closely too.

I love the modernist look of the car, that's really the reason I bought it, plus the fact that I haven't seen one before.   Does anyone know anything else about it?  Thank you.   :D

Title: Czech Car Mascot/Badge
Post by: Pip on April 25, 2006, 07:23:42 PM

Hiya Max, what era do you think it's from - it looks very deco/1930's to me - nice!

Title: Czech Car Mascot/Badge
Post by: chuggy on April 25, 2006, 07:39:55 PM

I know nothing about it other than I think it's fabulous, where on earth did you find it?
Paul

Title: Czech Car Mascot/Badge
Post by: Sklounion on April 25, 2006, 07:59:34 PM

Hi Max,
This is post war, probably 1950's.
Please can you post a clear image of the section at the top.
Svazarm is "Federation"
K Obrane Vlasti = to defend the country"
almost certainly,
AUTOMOBILOVA SOUTEZ SVAZARM is Competion or Racing Car Federation.
"Motorising Conscripts to defend the country"
Hammer and sickle date this to post-1948.
Propaganda piece of good quality.
Regards,
Marcus

Title: Czech Car Mascot/Badge
Post by: Max on April 25, 2006, 08:18:05 PM

Pip Paul and Marcus

Thanks for your feedback.  :D I love this little piece of history, and I'd like to be able to see similar pieces, but I can't find anything on the net about this kind of thing.  :(

Marcus thanks so much for your interpretation of the wording, I actually thought it was earlier than 1950, but in hindsight, the car would be too modern then I suppose...lol

I'll post a better pic of the top as soon as I can.   :)

Title: Czech Car Mascot/Badge
Post by: Sklounion on April 25, 2006, 08:28:48 PM

Hi Max,
A pleasure.
The cars are quite likely to be based on cars that had been in production by Skoda. Yes, I know they became a joke,(unwarranted, due to their regular good performances in rallying, throughout the Communist period)and Chuggy lives not that far from a certain Colchester dealership, where they had to wheel-clamp them on the fore-court.
Yet, car-production was a major Czech strength, pre-war, and Hispano-Suizas were made in Czechoslovakia.(As expensive as Bugattis in their day). The car collection in the National Technical Museum in Prague, holds some major surprises for car-lovers.
Regards,
Marcus

Title: Czech Car Mascot/Badge
Post by: Max on April 25, 2006, 10:19:06 PM

I'll have a look at old Skodas on Google later Marcus...you never know where you might find a lead.  :wink: (a jump lead? lol)

Failing that, I'll drop mascotmania.com (think that's the name) and see if they can help.   :)

Title: Czech Car Mascot/Badge
Post by: mjr on April 26, 2006, 08:01:09 AM

Intriguing-   See the attached skoda (http://www.onkelhans.net/oldtimer/skoda.htm) which is not the exact same car - but it has the same radiator grill, and the one on the badge seems to be a racing version of it

Title: Czech Car Mascot/Badge
Post by: Max on April 26, 2006, 09:08:32 AM

Well, it's certainly a very similar grill.  Thanks Martin, that should hopefully narrow down my search significantly.  :D  :D

Title: Czech Car Mascot/Badge
Post by: paradisetrader on April 26, 2006, 09:54:09 AM

mascotmania.com
I was trying to think of this name but the site you want is http://www.mascot-mania.com/
Thanks again to Anne's Glassaholic weblinks at http://glassoholic.yobunny.org.uk/ for those who don't already know.

Title: Czech Car Mascot/Badge
Post by: Max on April 26, 2006, 10:58:06 AM

lol I've just written to them Peter...great minds eh?  :wink:  :D

Title: Czech Car Mascot/Badge
Post by: Sklounion on April 26, 2006, 11:26:29 AM

Max,
You could try Dr Nadezda Vitamovska, of the Archive of the Museum of Coins and Medals, at Kremnica, Slovakia, who have a collection that goes back to the 16th century.
Regards,
Marcus

Title: Czech Car Mascot/Badge
Post by: Max on April 27, 2006, 09:46:13 AM

Thanks Marcus.  I can't seem to find Dr Vitamovska's contact details on the net, but I have written to a couple of car mascot sites - perhaps they can help.  I rather like a little bit of research.  :D

I received the glass badge today, and I'm really rather thrilled with it!

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1665

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1667

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1666

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1664

It's like holding a little piece of history in your hand.   :D

Title: Czech Car Mascot/Badge
Post by: Sklounion on April 27, 2006, 12:19:27 PM

Hi Max,
web-site here:
www.nbs.sk/MMM/
e-mail: muzeum@nbs.sk
I believe Dr Vitanovska speaks English.
Regards,
Marcus