As Phil Rizzuto, the Ex Yankee, would say, "Holly Cow."
I actually said more then that when it was announced that my New Jersey Exhibit won the "Best Badge Display" trophy. This was totally unexpected, but certainly very much appreciated.
I took over one hundred badges in cases to the show. On the first tripod I had twenty cities represented including most of New Jersey's largest. They are displayed in alphabetical order starting with the little city of Absecon. There is also one from Elizabeth, a major city, where Rizzuto resided.
On the table was a huge case holding fifty badges. This group represents those communities in N.J. that are not Incorporated as a "City." I started hanging on to badges in this group years ago while trying to satisfy the quest to have a New Jersey City Collection. They too are in alphabetical order starting with Bayonne, and ending with Wyckoff.
Next to this case are two small displays. they are not (unfortunately) rank sets, but do represent some nice old badges from the Village of South Orange, and the Township of Union.
Before the day was over I had the good fortune of adding a nice old badge from the City of Paterson, and a Chief's badge from the Borough of Fort Lee. These were nice badges but I had a problem acquiring them I didn't bring a check or enough cash. Thank God my wife, who served as my deputy at the show, had a check. I won't say she gave it up gladly, but she DID give me the money. All I could say was "Holy Cow."
On the second tripod in my exhibit were two cases representing the City of Newark. One case hold quite a few "unique badges" from the City that I obtained while searching for the few gems, in the second case, from the Newark Police Department.
There are so many more that are needed to complete the collection. I think I need something like 500 more for the Towns, Villages, and Boroughs section alone. I could probably use a half dozen more for the "City" group, and God only knows what would satisfy my thirst for Newark badges. If I ever got them all I don't know who, Rizzuto or my wife, would be calling me "Out at Home." I guess there is always a limit.
At the show I limited one badge to a single case. I displayed it along with a picture (1934) of the Newark Police Band. I am particularly proud of this item as my father was the last Commander of the N.P.D. Band. As a boy I held a brown paper bag containing a couple dozen of these badges. Now I have but one.
It took me forty years to acquire these badges now on display on the four walls of my den. I treasure each one, along with the story behind obtaining it. Having the collection recognized by others in the hobby warmed my heart and makes me very proud. When Sgt. Doug Sarubbi presented the trophy I think I broke his hand when we shook.
Sarubbi was the sponsor of this show, and he sure made me feel good. Of course he wasn't around when it came time to take the exhibit down, and load up the car. I am sure he will help next year when we meet again.
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