Lockheed Martin Skunk Works 20 YR Tie Clip Legendary Stealth R&D Dept— Aviation/UFO Sauceriana Collectors—Enamel on Goldtone Metal Tie Bar retailer

This historic 1960s vintage tie clip is a memento of aviation giant Lockheed Martin's mysterious and legendary Skunk Works division, first officially called Lockheed Advanced Development Projects and later known as Advanced Development Programs or ADP. Starting in 1943, top engineers within this secrecy-shrouded organization developed retailer a large number of advanced aircraft (including the U-2, the SR-71 Blackbird, and the Lockheed Martin Polecat, to name a few) and aircraft technologies. Sometime in the mid-1940s the unit was informally dubbed the “Skunk Works” after an enigmatic backwoods factory featured in the “Li'l Abner” comic strip. Eventually Lockheed trademarked the Skunk Works name and cartoon skunk character. The original Skunk Works complex in Burbank, California was abandoned in 1989, with operations moved to Palmdale, California. Skunk Works engineers continue their hush-hush activities there (which some UFO researchers have linked to Area 51 reverse-engineering of UFO anti-gravity technology) today.

The tie clip features an oval champlevé enameled black skunk logo and the lettering “20 YR” on a green background, surrounded by a white band. The white band contains the words “LOCKHEED / SKUNK WORKS”. The enameled emblem is mounted on a modernist-styled, brushed gold-toned bar. The clip assembly on the back is of the alligator type.

Size: the bar portion is about 1-3/4 inches long by 3/8 inch at its widest spot. The oval emblem measures about 5/8 by 9/16 inches.

Materials: gold-toned (plated) base metal and vitreous enamel.

Marks: on the back of the clip is the maker's mark ”LEAVENS CO. / ATTLEBORO, MASS.” Leavens Manufacturing Company and its reorganized successor Leavens Awards Company operated in Attleboro from 1948 until going out of business in 1999.

Age: it is not known whether the “20 YR” on the enameled emblem refers to a 20-year anniversary of the Skunk Works (founded in 1943) itself, or the clip is a 20-year service award for a Skunk Works employee. The latter seems more likely. This tie clip is estimated to date to the 1960s.

Condition: this clip is in good vintage condition, made by quality jewelry/enamel pin maker Leavens. It has the moderate fine scratches and tiny dents found on nearly all vintage metal jewelry. It has some scattered dark tarnish spots, visible under magnification, mostly on the back. Also visible under magnification are a few minute scratches on the enamel. Without magnification, these signs of age and use are virtually invisible. The alligator clip is in good working order. Please look at all of the photos, and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

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