Finally I have caught up with that ever changing word "All". It looks like , for now, I have addressed my City Collection. Every Badge that I have obtained over the last forty years that fits the category of "City" has been presented along with appropriate pictures. As of now there are 31 on display, representing 25 different N.J. Cities, and that represents "My All."
Now it is time to address those that I have put in a monster display case for muni's. This group may even have a "City" that I chose not to include with the others. I'll start with the letter "B" which is for Bayonne.
As luck would have it the first badge is from a City. This particular badge is a Special Police Officer' Badge. In the City Collection I tried to stay away from "specials."
This item is silver tone. It is an old badge with an eagle on top. Lettering is recessed with black fill.
The Seal on this item is very interesting. The center piece is a Ship on the Water. This is the City Seal of Bayonne. On newer badges the State Seal is what is being used.
This old badge is available for trade. For the time being it is number one in my Municipal Display. If anyone is interested in it send an email.
Several weeks ago I obtained a "Chanceman Badge" from Newark, NJ. I wrote a "post" here and stated my belief that this title was used in Jersey's large Cities around the 1900's.
The Cities that I was thinking of were obviously Newark. The others were Jersey City, Camden, Trenton and Paterson.
A kind reader wrote and told me how his Grandfather was a Chanceman in the "Town" of West Orange, NJ. The above picture was also sent and is being shared here. It is a beauty.
It reads: CHANCEMAN, WEST ORANGE, POLICE # 65 .
This Badge is a treasure and even better it has remained in the family. I hope it finds its' way into a nice display case, along with a prominent location on the wall.
Many, many years ago there was a Rail Road that ran through New Jersey. It was called the "Penn Central RR." Before its' demise this historic train line they employed their own Rail Road Police.
They had jurisdiction along the rails, the Train Yards, and in the Stations. They were real police and had guns and badges. Unfortunately their history is not known by this writer.
A friend who has collection interests in the Penn Central, sent a picture of the above badge. It was made by H Buchlien & Son of Newark, NJ. The company is no longer in business.
Gary Farmer would appreciated any info one has regarding the Badge and the New Jersey History of the Badge and police. If you know something contact Gary directly at:
follee@embarqmail.com
