Historical Anti-trust decision on Fraternity/Sorority Pins: Balfour & BPA
 

When googling for a Professional Sorority that no longer exists ("Epsilon Eta Phi") I got a hit at the Federal Trade Commission that I found absolutely fascinating. A full Federal Trade Commission case filed in 1961 and decided in 1968 that ultimately caused Balfour to spin off Burr, Patterson & Auld.

The first half of the case starts on page 345 of https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/doc...4pg324-424.pdf and the rest of the case is at https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/doc...4pg425-536.pdf

There are lots of interesting things here, including a *lot* of skullduggery by Balfour including not informing the Fraternity and Sorority community that they had bought BPA. Statements from members of Fraternity and Sorority Leadership are there as well as tables containing which supplier (Balfour, BPA or other) each fraternity or sorority used in the 1960s, size of each greek letter organization in chapters and brothers/sisters and lots of other things.

I found it fascinating!

The numbers were really interesting!
I do think it’s a shame we’re all stuff with Herff Jones though...

Not all of us. Theta uses J. Lewis Small. There are options. I've been pleased with the quality of the J. Lewis Small badges I've seen, and I own one myself.

I’m envious—H.J. not only has poor quality control, but takes 10+ months to deliver. It’s no wonder why (many) collegiate members don’t treasure their badges like we did!