Wimpy Parties Promotional Button Badge I Love Wimpy Cartoon Character 1980s

Circular Wimpy promotional button badge with a glossy blue printed face.
Features the words “I LOVE WIMPY” and “PARTIES”.
Decorated with a cartoon Wimpy character in red uniform and hat.
Balloons and looping party streamers surround the central figure.
Silver-coloured metal reverse with horizontal wire pin fastening.

Approximate dimensions

Diameter: 57 mm (2.24")

Condition

The glossy printed face has minimal small surface marks. The silver-coloured reverse has surface marking, with darker speckling around parts of the metal rim.

Description

A circular promotional button badge associated with Wimpy restaurant parties, constructed with a printed front enclosed by a rolled metal rim and a silver-coloured metal reverse. A horizontal wire pin fastening is fitted across the back.

The front has a bright blue ground printed in red, yellow, green, white, black and tan. Across the upper portion is the inscription “I LOVE WIMPY” in large black capitals, while “PARTIES” appears in dark grey capitals along the lower edge.

At the centre is a cartoon human-like character wearing a broad red hat and predominantly red uniform. The hat carries a small white device containing the word “WIMPY”. The character has a large rounded tan nose, white scalloped collar, white gloves and large red shoes. Yellow and black vertical detailing appears on the costume.

Green and yellow curling streamers extend around the character, accompanied by green and yellow balloons. Small white rectangular highlights divided by black lines appear on the balloons. The overall design is characteristic of brightly coloured children's promotional graphics of the later twentieth century.

Printed lettering continues around the rolled edge. Readable portions include “WIMPY INT LTD”, a copyright symbol with partially obscured numerals, and “ELITE PRODUCTS”.

Wimpy has operated in Britain since 1954, when the first UK Wimpy Bar opened in a J. Lyons Corner House in London. The company's own historical account records the debut of its Mr Wimpy character in Brighton in 1978. The party theme and graphic treatment of this badge are consistent with approximately the 1980s.

Button badges of this construction were widely used during the later twentieth century for advertising, promotions, campaigns and events, allowing colourful printed designs to be worn temporarily on clothing.

Object Type: Promotional Button Badge
Age: 1980s
Era / Period: Late 20th Century
Material: Metal
Finish: Glossy
Production Technique: Pressed
Decoration Technique: Printed
Style: Cartoon / Promotional

Wimpy Button Badge I Love Wimpy Parties Mr Wimpy Cartoon 1980s