The Origins of Robertson’s Jam
Robertson’s is a British brand of marmalades and preserves founded in 1864 by James Robertson in Paisley, Scotland. Known for its Golden Shred marmalade, Robertson’s became a household name across the United Kingdom and received a Royal Warrant in 1933.
The Golly Mascot
In 1910, Robertson’s adopted the golly figure as its company mascot after one of the Robertson family purchased a golliwog doll during a trip to the United States. The character soon appeared on packaging, advertising, and promotional material, becoming a distinctive trademark.
Introduction of Golly Badges
By the late 1920s, Robertson’s launched a badge collecting scheme featuring enamel golly badges. Designed by jeweler Mr. Miller in collaboration with David Robertson, these badges quickly became popular promotional items. Children and families could collect them by sending in jam jar labels, sparking a nationwide craze.
Collectability and Variations
Over the decades, plenty of golly badge designs were produced, including themes such as sports, hobbies, and professions. Collectors today prize early enamel examples, rare variations, and complete sets. The “Golly Checklist,” developed by enthusiasts in the 1980s, remains the definitive guide for identifying and cataloguing badge types.
Cultural Legacy and Controversy
While golly badges were beloved collectibles for generations, the golly mascot later became controversial due to its racial connotations. Robertson’s eventually phased out the character in 2002. Despite this, the badges remain part of British social history and are valued by collectors as nostalgic memorabilia.
1950s Robertson’s Golly Badges – Classic Golden Shred Era
The 1950s marked the most recognisable and best‑loved era of Robertson’s Golly badges — the classic white‑waistcoat designs with Golden Shred across the chest. Demand during this decade was so strong that Robertson’s commissioned multiple Birmingham makers to keep production flowing, resulting in subtle variations, short‑run designs and small‑quantity issues that Golly badge collectors prize today.
This page brings together a carefully curated selection from that golden period, each badge clearly photographed, accurately identified and described with full maker details where present. A vibrant slice of mid‑century advertising history. Now somewhat scarce, we occasionally have 1950's Golly Badges for sale here.
1980s Robertson’s Golly Badges – A Bright and Collectable Era
The 1980s were a lively and colourful decade for Robertson’s Golly badges, marking a real shift in both style and materials. This period introduced the well‑known acrylic Golly badges with pointed feet, a design that quickly became the mainstay of Robertson’s collecting throughout the decade.
These bright acrylic badges covered a huge variety of characters, hobbies and professions, with collectors remembering favourites such as the Ambulanceman, American Footballer, Astronaut, Bagpiper, Baker Viota, Brownie, Butcher, Car Driver, the 1930–1980 Commemorative Golly, Cowboy, Cricketer, Darts Player, Doctor, Engine Driver, Fireman, Fisherman, Footballer, Golfer, Guitarist, Jogger, Lollipopman, Milkman, Motorcyclist, Mountie, Nurse, Policeman, Postman, Racing Car Driver No.23, Sailor, Skier, Snooker Player, Standard and Tennis Player. These pointed‑feet acrylic Golly badges captured the upbeat, modern feel of the 1980s and remain some of the most recognisable Robertson’s designs ever produced.
Alongside the main pointed‑feet series, Robertson’s also released several related badge issues that have become highly collectable. The Acrylic Fruits (Bubble Coated) range added a glossy, colourful twist with designs including the Orange, Lemon, Strawberry, Raspberry and Blackcurrant, each with a distinctive bubble‑coated finish. The mid‑1980s also saw the arrival of the Collectors Enamels, most notably the Oranges with scrolls limited edition and the Lemons with scrolls limited edition, both now sought after by Golly badge enthusiasts.
In 1985, Robertson’s produced a special boxed set of 1940s White Waistcoat Golly reproductions, featuring Footballer, Standard, Golfer, Guitarist, Hockey and Tennis Golly, offering collectors a nostalgic link back to earlier enamel designs.
Together, these ranges highlight a vibrant and inventive chapter in the history of Robertson’s Golly badges, blending nostalgia with fresh ideas and keeping the collecting tradition alive for a new generation. Browse 1980's Golly badges For Sale Here
The 1996 Golly Collection
The core set for 1996 pictured below features ten Golly badges, each representing a different themed character: Artist, Cheerleader, DIY, Eskimo, Ice Hockey, Knight, Paperboy, Scarecrow, Viking and the much‑loved Wren. Together they form a bright, characterful series that remains popular with both new and long‑time collectors. We have 1996 Golly badges for sale here.
1998 Golly badge Series
Robertson's 1998 series pictured below featured ten Golly badges, each with its own lively theme and colourful design: Basketball, Doctor, Goalkeeper, Golfer, Guitarist, Judge, Saxophonist, Singer, Waiter and the ever‑popular but increasingly hard to find Standard Golly. Explore 1998 Golly Badges For Sale Here.
1999 Robertson's Golly Badge Series
The 1999 Golly badge line‑up included Bride and Groom, a cheerful pairing often collected together, alongside the Brownie, Scout and Graduate, which captured familiar milestones and uniforms of British life. More imaginative figures such as the Caveman, Mermaid, Roman and Wizard added a touch of fantasy, while the King and Queen brought a traditional, almost storybook quality to the set. Together, the twelve Robertson's badges formed a lively snapshot of the brand’s creativity during its final years. As the century drew to a close, Robertson’s marked the moment with the Classic Year 2000 Millennium Golly. Explore 1999 series Golly Badges For Sale Here.
