Pan American Airways Appraisal

Vintage Pan American Airways (PAA) Belt Buckle

This is a vintage rectangular belt buckle featuring the iconic logo of Pan American Airways (PAA). The buckle exhibits a deep black enamel or lacquered finish on its face, which serves as a high-contrast backdrop for the silver-toned metallic graphic. The graphic depicts the classic PAA 'winged globe' design, showing a globe with longitudinal and latitudinal grid lines and a stylized wing trailing behind it, incorporating the letters 'PAA' in a sans-serif font. The buckle appears to be constructed from a base metal, likely brass or steel, given its utilitarian purpose, with a chrome or silver-colored plating visible along the rounded edges and within the engraved logo. Regarding condition, the surface shows significant signs of age and use, including fine surface scratches, minor pitting in the metal, and slight dulling of the black finish. The edges show some wear to the plating, indicating it has been worn regularly. The style and logo suggest a manufacturing date between the 1940s and 1950s, a period when this specific globe-and-wing motif was prominently used by the airline. The craftsmanship is industrial yet precise, typical of mid-century corporate promotional items or uniform accessories. The overall patina gives the piece an authentic mid-century modern aesthetic, making it a desirable piece of aviation history.