Tuesday, August 26, 2014

BAYONNE ADDITION



This old badge is from Bayonne, N.J. It is a "City" in Hudson County, N.J.

Just after WW II the US Navy established a couple of schools here. One was a Salvage School, and the other was a school to train Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT).

Cuba Gooding stared in a movie titled: "Men of Honor." It was about Master Chief Petty Officer, Carl Brashear. He was the first black man to become part of the UDT's. In 1966 he lost a leg while recovering an atomic bomb at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea.

The bomb was on a B-52 assigned to our Strategic Air Command. The plane collided with a tanker plane at 31,000 feet. Seven servicemen were killed, three survived.

Today the City of Bayonne is a nice metropolis floating in the middle of the Port of New York. Instead of warships there are Cruise Ships at the old Navy piers. Cruise travel has become an important part of the Bayonne economy today.

There are roughly 65,000 people sleeping in Bayonne at night. During the day many are in New York working.

Day and Night the City is protected by its' fine Bayonne Police Department. It was established, in some form, around 1861.

Looking at the badge I have pictured here an old sailing ship is dead center. That is the City Seal for Bayonne. This badge is believed to be from the late 1800's or early 1900's.

Is is a full three inches tall by two inches wide. The letters are stamped from the rear so they appear raise on the front. They spell out: City of Bayonne Police. At the bottom of the shield is the number "147".  On the back is a pin with a "C" catch.

On the rear side of the badge one can see in the upper left quadrant the makers mark. A magnifying glass will hep seeing: C. D. Reese, 57 Warren St, New York.

I am mighty glad this nice item sailed into my collection. I will soon have it, under glass, in my "City" collection where I will have the opportunity to view it every day. That's good !






Friday, August 15, 2014

THE REST OF PHILADELPHIA






I'm glad to see that these guys didn't go anywhere since my last post in July. At that time I wrote about the three Hat Badges that I believe are from the Philadelphia Police.

These are breast or wallet badges. They are heavy and clearly well made.

The first three from the top are from the Bureau of Health. While the word "Philadelphia" is not part of the badge wording it is clear that the Philly seal is at center point. The badge is believed to be sterling silver. 

Around the outside there is a blue enamel ring. The lettering reads: Inspector, Bureau of Health.  Each badge is numbered:  211, 78, and 147. The  previously mentioned City Seal appears to be gold plated. 

Of the last three badges pictured, two are from the "Bureau of Water." Those letters are blue enamel and appear on the outer ring. The badges are marked "Inspector" and also numbered:  56 and 32.

At the center is the City Seal which appears to be finished in gold plating. 

My last item is another Inspector Badge without a number. It sure does have a lot of letters on it.   

It is from the Bureau of Highways in the Department of Public Works. This is the largest item in the collection.  It is 2.00 inches in diameter.

The seal is like the others - from Philadelphia, and apparently gold plated.

The full collection, while not cop badges, are attractive antiques, and thus are welcome in my collection.


*****

Sunday, August 10, 2014

A NOTE FROM HOST OF ORLANDO SHOW

We are less than three weeks away from one of the best Police Collectors show in the Southeast.  There still time to reserves your tables.  Just a reminder, I haven't heard from some of our well known regular Florida collectors.   We have over 65 tables sold and expect another sell out.   Great Location, Great Hotel and Great Prices.   Stay the weekend and enjoy the pool, local shopping and world renowned attractions. 

 Hope to See You There

Your Show Host

Doug Sarubbi

BELOW ARE PICTURES FROM PRIOR ORLANDO SHOWS.