A fun, true-to-the-era collector’s grab bag — 8 different enamel pins from the mid-80s to late-90s, all with a Southern California / Southwest connection.
What’s in the lot (see both photos):
• 1985 Tournament of Roses – Bank of America (gold eagle) & 1985 Calgary, Canada (red rodeo rider with rose) – both official Rose Parade participant pins
• 1989 Wally Lauter Memorial Tournament – Pasadena Youth Hockey Association – maple leaf logo, Pasadena, CA
• Flagstaff, Arizona – North Stars – big blue star with crossed hockey sticks
• Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 1997 (gold basket pin)
• Two hot air balloon pins – one rainbow chevron, one Stars & Stripes design
• Tiny Canada flag pin (perfect filler for traders)
All are vintage cloisonné, 1”–1.5” tall, with typical light wear from storage. The two balloon pins are shown close-up in the first photo.
A bit of history & fun facts:
1. Tournament of Roses (Pasadena): The Rose Parade has run since 1890. By the 1980s, corporate sponsors like Bank of America and visiting bands (Calgary sent a Stampede-style rodeo entry in 1985) got their own pins — they were traded along Colorado Blvd just like Olympic pins. Recent eBay sales: single 1985 Rose Parade pins ~$7.46, lots of 8 around $12.50 .
2. Youth hockey in the desert: The Wally Lauter Memorial and Flagstaff North Stars pins come from the SoCal/Arizona youth hockey boom after the Kings arrived in 1967 and Wayne Gretzky in 1988. Pasadena’s tournament still honors local coaches — this 1989 pin is pure “sunbelt hockey” history.
3. Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta: Started in 1972 with 13 balloons, it’s now the world’s largest balloon event with 500+ balloons each October . Pins are a huge sub-culture — serious collectors like volunteer Steve Arndt have over 4,000. Common vintage Fiesta pins sell today for $8.95–$9.95 each .
Great lot for a display board, jacket, or to break up for trades — you’ve got parade, hockey, Canadiana, and ballooning all in one.
For additional photos or questions please ask