The significance of a grant of arms is that it interprets and records the aims and objectives for which the Association stands.
In June 1947 with arrangements been made by Council for the publication of a Journal of the Association, it was suggested that a crest be designed to serve as a symbol for the Association and for use on the front cover. Despite offering a prize of one guinea to any member who could come up with an idea for the crest it appears that no responses were received.
Grants are officially made by the Kings of the College of Arms, the official heraldic authority for the UK. A mediaeval era institution of state, it administers the design of all armorial bearings. Any title is then officially awarded by the Monarch. Between 1952 and 1955 successive Association Presidents put a great deal of thought and effort into the problem of a design. Ultimately, they came up with a shield, flanked by supporters, surmounted with a crest and badge, under which sat a motto.
The document of Grant, dated 12th December 1952 and carrying the name of the Association President, John Battle, is a vellum parchment (see this page), recently restored and held in a frame. The text upon it is archaic but describes its purpose and the layout of the “Device” or badge and its “Supporters”. It became a ubiquitous symbol of the Association, appearing on all correspondence and the front cover of the British Journal of Plastic Surgery. Since the re-branding of both in the mid 2000s it lives on as a monochrome logo upon BAPRAS material.
It remains an important symbol of the standards to which all members aspire.