The design was also used as a lapel pin for members in the 1960's and 1970's, which we were inspired to revive this summer as part of our Ireland trip sweepstakes. We thought it would be interesting to learn a little more about its history.
There are clues in AHS Board of Director minutes from Spring, 1962. "RE: STATIONERY for Formal and Official Business: Mr. Grandjany requested and received the approval of all present of the fine "Format" and Seal for the Letterheads as designed by Georgia Vraz with the cooperation of our distinguished "Sponsor". " (Ms. Vraz was AHS secretary.)
In that the apparent first use of the logo in print was just a few months later, in the Fall, 1962 Harp News (predecessor of the American Harp Journal), was the "Seal" Mr. Grandjany references in fact this logo?
The image is clearly the silhouette of a Lyon & Healy Troubadour, a brand new and very unique instrument at that time. Was the company the “distinguished Sponsor” Mr. Grandjany recognized?
Several people told us that then-treasurer of AHS, Lucien Thomson, was involved in the logo’s creation. Lucien’s longtime friend William Lovelace reminded us that “Lucien used a troubadour image on his 1st book, Beginning at the Harp Vol 1. Lucien worked at various times for Lyon & Healy in their NYC salon answering phones, filling orders, and sometimes even teaching group lessons.” Lyon & Healy was already advertising in AHS publications. Perhaps Lucien brokered an agreement with his employer to use the instrument shape? Unfortunately Lyon & Healy’s earlier records have been lost in corporate transfers, so we will probably never know for sure.
We found more details in long-time AHS Executive Secretary Dorothy Remsen's files, at the International Harp Archives at UNT. AHS had the die made and ordered 1,000 pins in January, 1963 at a cost of $0.50 each. For one national competition in 1963, "gold plated" medals including the logo were ordered for two divisions, at the high price of $2.10 each! AHS reordered 500 pins in December of 1969 and of 1970 at $0.85 each, which appear to be the last orders. Perhaps the price increase ended the project?
Questions remain unanswered, but we’re delighted to bring back this bit of AHS history. Want your own legacy AHS lapel pin? Make a donation of $50 or more to the Ireland Sweepstakes through October 16th, 2025, and a pin will be on the way! If you’re the lucky sweepstakes winner, you can wear it proudly on that trip to Ireland!
And if you have one of the original pins, send us a selfie wearing it!
