Crew Patch reference guide

What is a
Crew Patch?

Embroidered
Patches

Beta Cloth
Patches

Lion Brothers
Space Patches

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	The STS-6 crew wore the standard AB Emblem embroidered mission emblems on their flight suits and on their in-flight clothing, thus there is no rare 'crew patch' for this mission.

Embroidered Mission Patches


Patch id:	STS-6 AB Emblem patch

Worn by crew?	Yes.
Flown?	Yes.

Manufacturer:	AB Emblem
Distribution:	Sold as souvenirs.
Dimensions:	4½" / 115mm across
Type:	Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge.
Scarcity:	Common.
Value:	Minimal value.

Notes:	The AB Emblem patch was the version used by the crew.


Patch id:	STS-6 Lion Brothers patch

Worn by crew?	No.
Flown?	No.

Manufacturer:	Lion Brothers
Distribution:	Was available commercially.
Dimensions:	4⅛" / 105mm across
Type:	Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge with no tail (selvedged).
Scarcity:	Scarce.
Value:	Examples sell for around $15-$30.

Notes:	This version of the Lion Brothers STS-6 mission patch is the one most commonly seen. It has a plastic coating on the reverse.


Patch id:	STS-6 Swissartex patch

Worn by crew?	No.
Flown?	No.

Manufacturer:	Swissartex Emblem Inc.
Distribution:	Sold as souvenirs.
Dimensions:	Approx. 4¾ x 4¼" / 120 x 107mm across
Type:	Fully embroidered. Merowed border with tail.
Scarcity:	Uncommon.
Value:	Vintage examples sell for $10-$15.

Notes:	The vintage version of the Swissartex STS-6 mission patch exists both with a waxy plastic backing and with a vacuum sealed clear plastic coating on the reverse. The fronts of the two versions are virtually identical.


Patch id:	STS-6 early Lion Brothers patch

Worn by crew?	No.
Flown?	No.

Manufacturer:	Lion Brothers.
Distribution:	Unknown.
Dimensions:	4" / 100mm across
Type:	Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge with no tail (selvedged).
Scarcity:	Very rare.
Value:	Examples have sold for around $200.^[1]

Notes:	This version of the STS-6 Lion Brothers patch is much more rare than the regular version. The fact that is usually has a bare cloth back implies this is likely the earliest version produced by the company but examples have also been seen with vacuum-sealed plastic backing, and even with a white plastic backing.


Patch id:	STS-6 Cape Kennedy Medals blue border variant

Worn by crew?	No.
Flown?	No.

Manufacturer:	Cape Kennedy Medals
Distribution:	Unknown.
Dimensions:	4½" / 116mm across
Type:	Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge.
Scarcity:	Uncommon.
Value:	Unknown.

Notes:	This variant of the Cape Kennedy Medals patch has a dark blue border.


Patch id:	STS-6 Cape Kennedy Medals white border variant

Worn by crew?	No.
Flown?	No.

Manufacturer:	Cape Kennedy Medals
Distribution:	Unknown.
Dimensions:	4½" / 116mm across
Type:	Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge.
Scarcity:	Scarce.
Value:	Unknown.

Notes:	This variant of the Cape Kennedy Medals patch with a white border is less common than the blue border version.


Footnotes
[1] Example sales of STS-6 early Lion Brothers patches: eBay item no. 331689199061 Oct 30, 2015, sold at $128.83 eBay item no. 262072965857 Oct 30, 2015, sold at $159 [plastic back]


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