BOOK: The College Ring in Its Entirety – 'Men's Rings: The College Ring'
BOOK | Rings That Capture the Male Spirit, Featuring Around 300 Pieces!
“Men's Rings: College Rings”
World Photo Press has released the mook “Men's Rings: College Rings.” This book introduces approximately 300 vintage college and military rings from the 1920s to the 2000s, delving into the stories etched into each one.
Text by IWANAGA Morito (OPENERS)
An Entire Book Dedicated to College Rings
College rings, which arrived in Japan alongside Ivy League fashion and became a sensation in the 1970s, continue to hold a strong appeal as a genre of men's accessories. But do you know their origins?
In 1835, students at the U.S. Military Academy in New York were the first to create a graduation commemorative ring. Incidentally, in America, graduation is considered far more challenging than admission. Therefore, graduating from a prestigious institution signified a promising future.
This custom spread to students at the eight prestigious East Coast universities, the "Ivy League," and they came to be known as "college rings." Engraved with the alma mater's crest, department insignia, graduation year, and initials, and often set with a birthstone, these rings became a symbol of elite status for promising young men.
A college ring is truly a "wearable trophy" or a "medal for the finger," embodying pride and glory. This book presents college rings from each era with photographs, interspersed with columns on their historical context.
Additionally, as a special feature, it includes championship rings from Major League Baseball, the Rice Bowl, and Japanese professional baseball players. Furthermore, it showcases collections rarely seen elsewhere, such as "Freemason rings" indicating the ranks within the secret society of Freemasonry. Even those who are not collectors will be captivated by the depth of their design and exquisite craftsmanship.
“Men's Rings: College Rings”
Price | ¥1,200
World Photo Press
125 pages
On Sale Now
World Photo Press
Tel. 03-5385-8111

