Unusual Hatpins   Updated 12/2/2011    Common Hatpins
These are some of the less common, though not necessarily valuable, hatpins that come up for auction or are found in private collections. There are many more for which I don't have photographs or sales information.
Banded Berry Cluster. This pattern is also known by several other names including Grape Cluster. Found in amethyst and lavender, either selling in the $40 to $80 range. Banded Criss Cross or just Criss Cross. Usually sell for between $80 and $100. Banded Flower. For want of a formal name, I'm calling this one Banded Flower. It's the only example I've seen and is lavender. It sold at a 1993 auction for $85. Beaded Clover. This pretty hatpin is in the collection of Carl and Eunice Booker.
Beaded Pinwheel. Also in the collection of Carl and Eunice Booker. One sold in 2011 for $160. Beaded Spiral. Yet another in the collection of Carl and Eunice Booker. Bee on Flower. Known only in dark or purple glass, these sell in the $550 to $600 range. Bird of Paradise. An exotic and very desirable hatpin. One sold for $2,000 in 2001.
Border Path variant. Similar to Border Path shown on the common hatpin page. More rare, so probably worth somewhat more. Bubbles. This one sold for $450 in 1995. Another one sold in 2001 with damage for $35 (but was bid up to $80 before the damage was found). Cane. This example was photographed while in a private collection. In 2001 one sold for $325. Cherries. Hatpins in this pattern usually sell in the $200 to $300 range although one brought $350 in 2011.
Concentric Circles. These are said not to be iridized. This one, in lavender, sold at a 1995 auction for $185. On eBay in 2005, one brought $194. In 2006, an amber brought $225. Daybreak. Similar to Sun's Up (see common hatpins), but smaller. Sold in 2003 for $500. Diamond and Oval. This pattern has a diamond superimposed over an oval base. It's in a private collection. Dinner Ring. Named after a similar button pattern. This one brought $550 in 2003 though another brought just $155 the same year. One sold for $100 in 2011.
Double Crown. These brownish hatpins are worth $40 to $50. Faceted Butterfly. One of these sold for $400 in 1996, another for $475 in 2003. In 2009, an example brought $300. Fancy Beetle. Highly desirable. One sold for $450 in 1995, another for $350 in 1997, a third for $1,000 in 2003 and one for $306 on eBay in 2006. Ferris Wheel. This one sold for $500 in 1995.
Floral Spray. Called Two Flowers at the 1993 auction where is brought $235. Another, by the name of Floral Spray, sold in 1998 for $125. Fuchsia Basket. This is the only one of these I've seen. It sold for $2,100 in 1995. Also known in green. Grape. This lavender hatpin is in the collection of Carl and Eunice Booker. One in green sold for $225 in 2011. Horsefly. The only example I've seen, it sold for $1,200 in 2003.
Jeweled Bug. In red, this pin was given this name at the 2003 auction where it brought $650. Laurel Jewel. Also a rare hatpin in the collection of Carl and Eunice Booker. Looped Buckle. This example sold for $200 at a 2003 auction. Lots of Diamonds. One of these sold for $60 at a 2002 auction.
Marvelous. A petal center with a ring of rhinestones. This one sold for $500 in 1995. Metal Framed. A flat iridized disk with metal design over that. Five similar pieces sold as a lot for $105 each in 1995. In 1998, five others sold for $10 to $25. Nautical. This one had no name when it sold in 1993 for $235. As it has a rope and anchor theme, I've suggested this name. The color was described as clambroth. Orchid. Also called Flower and Jewel. One sold in 1994 for $850, another in 1997 for $550.
Owl, Horned. Thought to be the only one known. Note the "horns" just above the eyes. Sold in 1997 for $1,800. One sold in 2006 for $850. Owl, metal frame. This blue owl is in a metal frame. Photographed while in the collection of the late John Britt. Owl, Tiny. Less than an inch in diameter, this example sold in 1995 for $350. Another brought $110 in 2007. Owl in Window. Supposedly a one-of-a-kind piece, this one sold in 2003 for $2,000, but in 2006, a lightly iridized example brought $400.
Propeller. The only example I know of, this pin sold at a 1995 auction for $700. Rectangular Diamonds. From the collection of Carl and Eunice Booker. Ribbon Triangle. I have two shown in my database. One sold for $400 in 1996, another for $475 in 2003. Spider. This amber pin sold for $85 in 1993. Ice green sold for $225 and $375 in 1993 and 1994. Marigold for $70 in 1998. Purple for $375 in 1999. Not all may be iridized.
Spider, King. A bit larger than most pins and the spider's legs extend to the edges. One brought $250 in 2007; two more $350 and $400 in 2011. Spinner. This marigold on milk glass example sold for $175 in 1993. Star and Flower. In blue; the only example I've seen. This one sold for $1,000 in 1995. Stork. This rare hatpin has the distinction of being the most expensive sold at auction. It brought $2,600 in 1995.
Three Leaf. Previously unreported, this pin sold for $185 at a 2000 auction. I've used this name for want of a better one. True Scarab. As with most insect hatpins, it's very desirable. This example sold for $1,000 in 1995, another for $700 in 1997. Twin Gators. One of these sold for $1,400 in 1997, another (or perhaps the same one), for $2,000 in 2003. In 2006, one brought $600, and in 2008, another sold for $700. Ugly Bug. Another very desirable hatpin. This one sold for $1,640 in 1997, another for $1,700 the same year. A third (or one of the others) for $1,200 in 2003.
Zig Zag. This amber hatpin was photographed while in the collection of the late John Britt. Lizzard. Owned by Duane and Norma Uusitalo. One of two known. Three Hearts. Sold on eBay in 2005 for $128. Pith Helmet. Sold in 2007 for $850.