Skip to Content

Collecting Souvenir Patches and Badges around the World

Collecting Souvenir Patches and Badges around the World

Sharing is caring!

Souvenir Patches: A Colorful Collection

When I saw first saw Daniel Daugherty’s souvenir collection of patches and badges from around the world, I was immediately intrigued by them and asked if I could feature them here.

patch badge dmz singapore penang thailand usa malaysia secret service korea japan wales russia souvenirThen it hit me why I was so drawn to Daniel’s patch-covered bag– it reminded me of my beloved girl scout sash, stitched with badges earned for “essential” scouting skills like baking cookies and pitching a tent. I eventually outgrew the scouts and stashed the sash away, but secretly missed collecting the colorful badges.

souvenir patches and badges collect world france italy reddit germany

Daniel started his collection ten years ago while living abroad in England, thinking it would be a fun (and cheap) way to remember his visit and to add a splash of color to an otherwise ordinary messenger bag.

Daniel’s messenger bag is like the grown up version of a scout sash– but instead of building a campfire or tying a knot, Daniel has crossed oceans and climbed mountains to earn his badges. Each of Daniel’s patches reflects a country or region he has visited.

souvenir patches Japan thailand koreaCollecting the same souvenir from place to place sounds like it would be easy enough, but as Daniel learned, that wasn’t always the case– at certain destinations, the patches were tricky to find and he would sometimes find himself going out of his way to track down a prized patch.

Each Souvenir Patch represents a Memory

patch badge korea russia donegal penang usa america singapre

Daniel’s patches for Donegal and Ulster Counties in Northern Ireland bring back memories of hiking and watching Irish musicians at locked-in pubs.

souvenir patch badge malaysia wales penang

On Penang Island in Malaysia, Daniel rode a motorcycle for a week in search of the best roadside food.

souvenir patch badge vietnam thailand japan secret service russia

The United States Secret Service patch is courtesy of Daniel’s father, who was under their watch and protection while working as a mechanic on the George W. Bush 2000 campaign jet.

souvenir patches badges germany poland switzerland ireland france

badge patch poland souvenir switzerland germany france ireland reddit koreaA Souvenir Patch Collection as a way to Connect with others through a Love of Travel

As Daniel’s souvenir patches quickly accumulated, he discovered an unexpected benefit of his collection– they became a way to connect with others about his travels.

People regularly ask “have you really been to all those places?” I love being able to say “yes” and talk about the places I’ve been and loved. Now I’m an English teacher in Korea and my kids love looking at the flags and asking which is which. Lots of adults do, too.— Daniel Daugherty

Special thanks to Daniel Daugherty for sharing his souvenir patch collection and photos.  Check out Daniel’s travel blog, teflorbust.wordpress.com and his travel photos at google.com/+DanielDaughertyinKorea.

Do you have a favorite souvenir collection? Share in the comments below!

Sharing is caring!

Sunday 20th of November 2016

Why is the United States flag upsidedown?

Manuel Condado

Tuesday 23rd of August 2016

Do you where I can find th reddit (snoo) patch? can't find it online

marycfletcher

Friday 26th of June 2015

My husband celebrated out 30th Wedding Anniversaty with a fly drive holiday through Arizona, California, Utah and Hawaii (Oahu, Hawaii and Maui). We had the time of our lives and love America. We stopped at Visitor Centres, talked to amazing staff and This is where I started our collection of patches. I bought some material from Volcano and have decided to make a memory quilt. I have 27 patches but cannot find anywhere to purchase a Sedona, Bell Rock or Vortex patch. We also had helicopter flights over the Grand Canyon on our Anniversary 20/04/15 and took another over Maui and Molokai. Can I get a helicopter patch that is suitable? The tour flight don't stock patches and I haven't received an answer from the EC130 helicopter manufacturer. Can anyone help me with ideas? I'd very much appreciate them at [email protected] it's going to be an awesome quilt. Many thanks Mary. (UK)

Kristin Francis

Friday 26th of June 2015

Mary did you try ebay? How frustrating not to be able to complete your collection! I would love to see a photo of the quilt when it's done, what a fantastic idea!

Monday 16th of March 2015

I was just shown this article. I have had the same main backpack for 13 years and collect patches on it. ISometimes I feel like my bag is more well traveled than me. I lived for a short time overseas, so I made a separate Asia Pacific bag.

Kristin Francis

Monday 16th of March 2015

Amazing! After 13 years I can imagine how full that must be. Would love to see them if you have photos. : )

Brian A. Reynolds

Thursday 25th of September 2014

I have used fabric glue to attach the patches and it seems to work really well especially after ironing . . . seems that the combined strength of the fabric glue with the adhesive thats already usually on patches makes for a solid hold.