Automobile Association Badge

This classic Automobile Association logo badge is a rare collectible. It is adorned by an eagle hoisting the word “India” at the top, and the front also has “Southern India” and 7391 engraved at the bottom. The back is detailed with the text “Property of the Automobile Association of Southern India. Madras. This badge must be returned when membership ceases." The acrylic stand was newly made to display the badge. The size of the badge is 3.5 x 6 inches. With the stand, the dimensions are 3.5 x 2.5 x 7.5 inches.
The Automobile Association (AA) was founded in 1905, to help motorists avoid police speed traps. This was in response to the Motor Car Act 1903, which introduced new penalties for breaking the speed limit and for reckless driving, with fines and the possibility of jail for speeding and other driving offences. At first, the badges were used only by the AA bicycle scouts as a means of identification for the passing drivers. From 1906, distinctive badges were provided to AA member drivers too, who proudly displayed them on their vehicles. After AA amalgamated with the Motor Union, a combined badge was designed in 1911 incorporating the wings and M from their emblem with the intertwined AA. It was the standard pattern for the next half-century, varying only in size, type of metal and method of fixing.