JB Beans & Co

Fur Rendezvous

The Fur Rendezvous began as a winter sports tournament ( skiing, boxing, hockey and basketball ). Some history books state that Fur Rondy began in 1936, other sources place it beginning as late as 1939. The year in which the idea was conceived is now accepted as the beginning date of the festival: 1935. It was during that time that Vern Johnson, Clyde Conover, Thomas Bevers and Dale Bowen came up with the idea of a party that would encompass all of Anchorage.

The main focus of the carnival was to bring people together, to show community support and celebrate the beginning of the end of winter. In those days revelers purchased a $2 ticket that gained them admission to all of the activities. Because fur trading was the second leading industry in Alaska at the time, fur trading became an important part of the festival. It provided a golden opportunity for trappers and buyers to meet in Anchorage to ply their trade and cut out the middle-man. Trapping contests were held, and prizes were awarded for the longest fox, the best fox and the finest ermine pelts.

The festival continued to grow and in 1956 Greater Anchorage, Inc. was formed to take over the management and operation of the festival. GAI is governed by a board of directors and has a full-time year round staff. Today Anchorage Fur Rendezvous is one of the largest winter festivals in North America with estimates of over 67% of the population participating in Rondy

During the festival, the streets of downtown Anchorage become a winter spectacle for all to enjoy. There are numerous activities and events such as Ice Sculpture displays, sled dog weight pulling, Eskimo Blanket Toss, Snowshoe Softball, carnival rides, Grand Prix, and the World Championship Sled Dog Race

The World Championship Sled Dog Race (not to be confused with the Iditarod ) consists of three 25-mile heats over the course of three days), fireworks, a blanket toss, and more.

Below, a dog shows its strength by hauling a weight-filled sled a measured distance in the World Championship Dog Weight Pulling Contest.

Fur Rondy has created a frenzy among collectors. If you're a pin collector, you definitely know what we're talking about. Fur Rondy Pins are extremely popular with collectors, and remain very much in demand. Below we have listed as much as know regarding the year of the events and what pins were released for each one. If the date is in yellow, we have the pin here for sale. If the pin is listed in white, it is informational only.

Pieces in this collection (97)

Photo Name Released Size
Fur Rendezvous Season Ticket – 1940 Feb 17-21, 1940 2 1/4"
Fur Rendezvous – 1942 Feb 18-22, 1942 2 1/4"
Fur Rendezvous Season Ticket – 1942 Feb 18-22, 1942 2 1/4"
Fur Rendezvous – 1949 Feb 18-22, 1942 2 1/4"
Fur Rendezvous Booster – 1950 Feb 1950 2 1/4"
Fur Rendezvous Booster – 1950 Feb 1951 2 1/4"
Fur Rendezvous – 1952 Feb 1952 2 1/4"
Fur Rendezvous – 1953 Feb 1953 2 1/4"
Fur Rendezvous – 1954 Feb 1954 1 1/2 x 2"
Fur Rendezvous Button – 1960 1960 2"
Fur Rendezvous Button – 1960 – Press 1960 2 1/4"
Fur Rendezvous Wood – 1962 Feb. 1962 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous Bone – 1962 Feb. 1962 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1965 1963 3" x 3.25"
Fur Rendezvous – 1964 1964 2 1/4"
Fur Rendezvous – 1965 1965 3" x 2.25"
Fur Rendezvous Ceramic – 1966 1966 2 1/8" x 1 7/8"
Fur Rendezvous Button – 1967 1967 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1968 1968 3" x 4 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1969 1969 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1970 1970 2" x 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1971 1971 3" x 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1972 1972 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1973 1973 3"
Fur Rendezvous – 1974 1974 3" x 2"
Fur Rendezvous Resin – 1975 1975 3"
Fur Rendezvous Button – 1975 1975 2 1/4"
Fur Rendezvous – 1976 1976 3"
Fur Rendezvous Button – 1976 1976 3"
Fur Rendezvous – 1977 1977 1 1/2" x 1"
Fur Rendezvous – 1978 1978 2 1/4" x 3 1/8' and 1/4" thick
Fur Rendezvous – 1979 1979 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1980 1980 1 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1981 1981 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1982 1982 1 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1983 1983 1 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1984 1984 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1985 1985 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1986 1986 2"
Fur Rendezvous Lapel – 1986 1986 1 7/8" x 7'8"
Fur Rendezvous – 1987 1987 1 3/4"
Fur Rendezvous – 1988 1988 1 3/4"
Fur Rendezvous – 1989 1989 2" x 1 3/8"
Fur Rendezvous – 1990 1990 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1991 1991 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1992 1992 1 3/4"
Fur Rendezvous – 1993 1993 2"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter – 1993 1993 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1994 1994 2"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter – 1994 1994 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1994 Christmas Ornament 1994 2 1/4"
Fur Rendezvous – 1995 1995 1 3/4"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter – 1995 1995 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1995 1995 2 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous Lapel – 1995 1995 3/4"
Fur Rendezvous – 1996 1996 2"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter – 1996 1996 1 3/4"
Fur Rendezvous – 1997 1997 2"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter – 1987 1987 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1998 1998 2"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter – 1998 1998 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1998 Birch Wood 1998 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1999 1999 1 3/4"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter – 1999 1999 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2011 1oz Silver Medallion Feb 1999 1 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2000 2000 2" x 1 1/2 2"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter – 2000 2000 2" x 1 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2000 Birch Wood 2000 2" x 1 1/2 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2000 Beardless Beaver 2000 2" x 1 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2001 2001 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2001 2001 1 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2002 2002 2"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter – 2002 2002 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2003 2003 2"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter – 2003 2003 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2003 Birch Wood 2003 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2004 2004 1 1/2" x 2"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter – 2004 2004 1 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2005 2005 1 1/2" x 2"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter – 2005 2005 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2005 Antler 2005 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2006 2006 2"
Fur Rendezvous Gold – 2006 2006 2"
Fur Rendezvous Alaska Bone – 2006 2006 2" x 1 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2007 2007 1 1'2"
Fur Rendezvous Silver & Gold – 2007 2007 1 1'2"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter #1 – 2008 2008 2"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter #2 – 2008 2008 2"
Fur Rendezvous Gold/Silver – 2008 2008 1 3/4"
Fur Rendezvous Antler – 2008 2008 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2007 2009 1 1'2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2009 1oz Silver Medallion Feb 2009 1 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous Pewter – 2010 2010 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 2011 1oz Silver Medallion Feb 2008 1 1/2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1958 Feb 1958 2"
Fur Rendezvous – 1961 1961 2"
Fur Rendezvous Lapel – 1985 1985 7/8"

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