Compiling a definitive Lodge 333 checklist

I have become increasingly frustrated with the lack of a consistent, agreed upon numbering standard for the OA lodges since the demise of Blue Book over 5 years ago.

As a result I've asked several active Virginia traders and collectors to join with me in working on a definitive reference for the Virginia lodges, with accurate and complete information that we can agree and rely upon going forward.

I've begun with a list of issues for Lodge 333 and after compiling a draft version there are 182 items as of August 31, 2011. I am sure that number will change as more information comes to light, but it's a starting point.

I know there have been efforts in the past to exclude variations because it would make collecting a complete set of a Lodge's issues more difficult. While I understand the purpose, I think at this point their existence is no secret and there are plenty of other very difficult patches to find so it only makes sense to include them in a reference guide that seeks to be complete.

If you are interested in collaborating and contributing to this effort I welcome your participation. Just send me an email and let me know.

I've discussed this for years and put it off since it's a monumental task. But with your help and the assistance of other Virginia collectors and traders who want to contribute it's a very reachable goal and one I hope you will assist with.

What is a complete Kecoughtan collection?

For aspiring collectors of any OA Lodge, the holy grail is a "complete collection" of everything ever officially issued by the Lodge. For most lodges this is a virtually impossible task since some items had limited distribution or for older items simply not commonly found anymore. Kecoughtan is no different, but that shouldn't deter you from trying to assemble a complete collection.

A complex question could be "what comprises a complete Kecoughtan collection?" Rather than delve too deeply into the finer points of defining which items should truly be considered official issues or which items are definite varieties that deserve a separate listing and which don't I'll keep the answer simple.

Using the Sixth Edition of the Blue Book Catalog of Standard Order of the Arrow Insignia, published in 2006 (the most current one available now) the total listings for Kecoughtan Lodge break out as follows:

Number		Type
9		Arrowheads
14		Chapter
4		Chenilles
100		Events
1		Jacket
1		Leather
2		Neckerchief
1		Unauthorized
8		Round
44		Solid Embroidered Flaps
17		Odd Shape (X)
1		Prototypes
202		Total

Ready to get started? Here's a handy checklist created with Dave Pede's awesome Blue Book VI PDF Generator. Note that the Blue Book doesn't list items like coffee mugs, hat pins, keychains, or belt buckles, so once you assemble the 202 items above there's still plenty to keep you busy.

Note: The collection pictured above is not mine. Thanks to Ray Ellis for sharing this picture with me of a beautifully displayed Kecoughtan collection.

Do these Kecoughtan Chapter patches really exist?

Last weekend I decided to spend time updating the long-neglected web page devoted to the Chapter Emblems of Kecoughtan Lodge. Way back in March Larry Johnson sent me pictures of several event patches for camporees sponsored by Wicomico Chapter that I needed to add.

Most of all I wanted to update the listings on the page to match those in Blue Book 6 - Standard Order of the Arrow Insignia Catalog. The Kecoughtan Chapter Emblems web page was originally created over a decade ago using Blue Book 2 (1998) which did not include any chapter emblem information. The listings were based upon the photocopied sheets of Kecoughtan Lodge patch data sent to me by the late Ron Godby in 1996.

I was surprised to discover that Blue Book 6 claims there are two versions of the first Pamunkey Chapter jacket patch, with the difference being whether the embroidered deer is brown or dark brown. It also claims that there is a second jacket patch for Piankatank Chapter with a dark blue border and multicolored background. I've never noticed any difference in the color of the deer on the Pamunkey jacket patch, and I've never seen any Piankatank Chapter jacket patch other than the pentagon-shaped J1.

How about you? If you have two Pamunkey Chapter J1 patches with obviously different deer, I'd love to see a side-by-side picture. If you have knowledge of any Piankatank jacket patch other than the J1, please let me know.

Kecoughtan Lodge listing in Blue Book First Edition

Hidden on John Pannell's oaimages.com web site is a fascinating bit of history - a complete copy of the very first Blue Book. Published in 1958, the official title of the publication is Order of the Arrow Lodge Listings, but the color of the cover is the only clue you need to understand how the later versions got their name.

Compiled by E. Forrest Reynolds, the booklet is barely over 50 pages, but these were the early days of the Order of the Arrow, and patch issues were still scant. Still, the amount of effort to compile the data in this document is almost incomprehensible when you remember that most of it had to be gathered in person or through postal mail.


The Kecoughtan entry lists just two items: an X issue and an F issue. "Wait!" you exclaim; "Kecoughtan Lodge never issued a flap patch that had a twill background." That is true, but as the abbreviation legend for this document explains, "F" simply indicates a flap shaped patch. It wasn't until later that "S" was used to indicate a flap with a solid embroidered background and "F" for flaps with twill background.

Check it out and be sure to tell John you appreciate his efforts to preserve and share such a vital part of OA patch reference history!