OFFICIAL TIE TACK PIN THE BEATLES
Set of 5 tie pins (or tie clips) featuring individual Beatles members and the group
One of the leading manufacturers of Beatles tie tacks in the United States between 1964 and 1965 was the Press Initial Corporation of Rhode Island. The company was officially licensed by NEMS and Seltaeb. During this period, the company produced at least six different models, four of which featured the faces of John, Paul, George, or Ringo.
These tie tacks were designated as ‘Official Tie Tack Pins,’ and most included the additional inscription ‘by Press-INitial Corp. ©1964 NEMS Enterprises Ltd.’ Some also had an additional disclaimer: ‘Manufactured under license from Seltaeb Inc. The ONLY official licenses with exclusive rights to the manufacture and distribution of Beatle Tie Tack Pins.’
One design featured two similar variations. A cardboard sales card contained four gold-plated pins arranged in a diamond shape—sold as “four-on-one-card”—depicting the faces of the Beatles, each ½" wide. On the left side of the card were wallet-sized photos of the band.
A similar style included a single brass pin featuring the face of a Beatle, positioned on the right side of the display card, with the same photo of the band on the left side. Both tie tack cards included the wording ‘Official Tie Tack Pin’ and facsimile signatures printed on the collars.
The area between the left and right sides of the card contained instructions on how to cut out the image to keep it in a wallet: “cut on dotted line, for wallet size.” Another version featured a round pin with an image of the band in formal attire in the center.
These cards measured 3⅜“x5” and were available both in a color version featuring the group and in a black-and-white version with a pin of a single Beatle. The backs of the pins could have a crown-style snap closure or a press-on wing clasp.
Another model featured four pins with the Beatles’ faces printed on embossed tin, attached to the card with three different background styles. A drum was drawn on the left side of the card, accompanied by the words “Official Tie Tack Pin.”
Another set of tie tacks featuring the Beatles’ faces was attached to a card with a photo of the band printed at the top. The pins were positioned at the bottom of the card, which had a background image of two girls with their arms raised, apparently thrilled to have received the pins.
A different design took the form of a 1½“ long die-cast metal (bronze/brass) mini-guitar, engraved with the faces of the Fab Four. The pin was mounted on a 3”x3" card; these original examples had a hollow back. The cards included an image of a drum, like other models, and bore the inscription 'Official Tie Tack Pin.'
A very distinctive design was sold on a 5“x6%” display card, containing a complete set of four tie tacks, each ¾" long. Each tie tack featured the face of a Beatle with his name engraved on the collar. The card included a color photo of the Beatles with their signatures, designed to be cut out and kept as it was labeled 'Suitable for Framing.' The tie tacks were arranged inside a guitar-shaped cutout. All tie tacks had a silver-plated pewter finish with a clasp on the back.
A ½" die-cast metal tie tack was also available, featuring the face of one of the Beatles with his name engraved below.
Another version was accompanied by a color image of the group. The tie tack was sold on a 3½“x6” color display card, decorated with a sunburst design and the Beatles’ classic drum logo. The card included an uncut wallet-sized image of the band.
Randall also produced a tie tack featuring the face of a Beatle with the words “Yeh Yeh Yeh” engraved on it. However, the tie tack had a distinctive shape, resembling more of an acorn with a Beatle wig. According to the description, it was “styled by Nicky Byrne!”