IN MEMORY OF OUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE PASSED ON

It has been a few years since one of my friends answered his last call. His grand-daughter drew the picture below. It makes a very nice memory. 

In addition to this Officer, there are others who have passed away this year. They leave us, and their families behind. Let us remember them.

  Miss you guys!

*****

TOP COP COLLECTION: DEPTFORD TWP

TOP COP COLLECTION: 

DEPTFORD POLICE, DEPUTY CHIEF

*****

Deptford TWP is number 5 in my Top Cop Collection.

I obtained this fine specimen from a collector who was down sizing. Since it was a New Jersey item I took it off his hands a few years back. At the time I was not sure exactly where it would be placed in my collection.

Deptford is a place that for most of my working years was unheard of. It took a little research to learn that it is in Gloucester County down in SW Jersey, near the Delaware River.

This Community can trace its roots back to 1695, when it was known as Bethlehem. Although this is not the same place as Jesus' birthplace, it is the birthplace of several communities that were carved out of it, including the County Seat, Woodbury, NJ

Today Deptford is home to Rowan College, and also a very large shopping Mall. As to crime the area remains under control by the  boys in blue who monitor activities in this Community of 30,000 people. 

The badge from this Community's Police is for an officer with the Rank of Deputy Chief.  In the center is a multi color State Seal which would make this badge 1970's vintage. Above the Seal is the word Police on a circular panel outside the Seal.

There are signs of wear or age on this shield which otherwise is in good shape. It certainly deserves respect, at least for its' title. Its' placement in my Top Cop Collection gives it that Respect. I have it under glass, hanging on my wall. There I view it on a daily basis which makes me still one happy collector.

NORMAN PARK HAS A FABULOUS POLICE BADGE AND PATCH SHOW

November 11th was the date for the 4 th Annual Patch & Badge Show up in the Great State of Georgia. It took me, and the wife, a tad over 6 hours to get there from our home in South Florida. It was chilly here when we left. Our temperature was dipping into the high 70's. On arrival I was shocked. The temperature needle was now showing 51 degrees. Having been promised a good day in Norman Park, Ga, the Sponsors got the "temp" to low 70's by "show time."

Those in attendance set up their exhibits in the Elementary School Gym. It was spaced nice with 4 rows with plenty of room to move around and do my favorite things:  Talk; Take Pictures, and Trust my wife to Guard my Display. That usually means, I have a great time gabbing, and occasionally buying another piece for my collection. 

In my travels up and down the aisle of the gymnasium I had to calm myself down, and be on my best behavior because of the man below. He was Chuck Snyder and he was there to maintain order. He certainly did a fabulous job. He reported, that his Community, Norman Park, just had an armed robbery. Although rusty with dealing with these type of crimes, it was nonetheless solved in two hours. All of our hat's are off to the Chief of Police, and his police force. 

Now over at the "Blue Tables" were my displays. For this show, with our Grandson, Gunnar, on our minds, we did a USS NEW JERSEY  Display to go along with my major collection of 60, beautiful, obsolete, and shinning, Municipal Badges from NJ. I am pictured with my "sixty" and the wife, Lois, is by the battleship display. At the center is a unique old antique in magnificent condition. It was issued for the Ships' title: "POLICE PETTY OFFICER." This particular badge is believed to have been from the WW II - Korean War era. These badges are no longer issued, and the old Battleship now resides in Camden N.J.

Across from my display's was Gary Taragawa. He has a fabulous collection of California Badges and a good number of stories that he tells. He apparently served as Police Chief for at least two communities at the same time. His badges were "good enough" to win the award for Most Unique Display last year.

I enjoyed talking with Gary, and  enjoyed showing him some of my collection. You can see some antique "Cuffs" that I display at home to dress up my Badge Museum (office). Over in the corner is an old wanted picture. In the upper corner are four rare Detective Badges that are nearing 100 years of age. In the center of this table is an assembly of  some rare badges dating to 1860 +/-.  These two shield are marked "POLICE". At the bottom is a number box. The only way to tell this item comes from Newark is the raised impression of the City Seal.

Underneath are two matching sets of 1895-1899 Radiator type badges, along with matching Hat Badges. Both are numbered. Both are in great shape. Both are beautiful.  One set of these badges was issued to a "Chanceman" a person with a one year probationary police appointment. The other set was issued to a "regular" police officer.

I enjoyed this show very much, and  also enjoyed taking Gary's award away from him this year. He, and all those that I had the opportunity to "confabulate (look it up)" with,  made my experience in Norman Park, Ga. a fabulous memory.

                                                                 

* * * * * 

TOP COP COLLECTION: CHATHAM CHATHAM TWP

TOP COP COLLECTION: CHATHAM TWNP. CHIEF

*****

Chatham Township is the number 4 badge in my Top Cop Collection.

I got this a couple years back from a gentleman who had a focus on badges from other States. He wanted to move this badge onto another collector, so I took advantage of his offer to sell and purchased this fine badge. My interest was two fold. One, I lived in this area before retiring in 1999; and  Two, I was in the thinking stage of making a Chiefs Collection.

The history of this Chatham Township dates back to Pre-Revolutionary times. It is in Morris County just a few miles South of where General George Washington made his Headquarters after moving off of Long Island and NY

The Township almost circles the much smaller geographically Chatham Borough. Both communities have roughly 10,000 people living in them.

Both Chatham's are on the quiet side. Crime is under control. 

The Top Cop display has made a nice home for this badge and a few more. Like all the badges in this display it is under glass and has a great location over my shoulder where I can get a frequent look at it. 

I think it is one beautiful piece. It has four reverse blue/gold panels with: Chief, Chatham Township, Police spelled out. In the center is a multi color State Seal.

Bottom line this is a beautiful badge. I am very glad to have it and will keep it safe and displayed in a custom frame. Needless to say, There are two locks securing this collection.

NEW ADDITION TO COLLECTION - A RARE 1940'S NEWARK DETECTIVE SHIELD

Just recently I was able to come across this fabulous Newark Detective Shield from the 1940's. Number 16 traveled all the way from the Pacific Coast to my collection on the Gulf of Mexico.

This badge is in very good shape and appears to be authentic. The Newark City Seal is at Center Point, and it is the correct seal for this badge. Note the hand holding a large hammer. That is unique to Newark, NJ.

Pictured next to badge is a zoomed in shot of the manufacturer 's Hallmark. Buchlein is the name I expected to see, but there was a second name too. The name Schneider. That was not expected.

I used a contact that knows the old Newark Manufacturer quite well. I was told that in the late 40's, and early 50's, a small engraving company, also located in Newark, combined with Buchlein for a few years. Whether this was a formal legal merger is not known, but they worked together until Schneider retired in the mid 50's.

I am quite pleased to have this rare Newark Police Detective, # 16 in my collection. It certainly will be housed under glass and hung on display where I can enjoy its' presence on a daily basis.  I hope through this post my fellow hobbyists also enjoy looking at this old time Detective Shield. A Beauty then, and a Beauty now.

GEORGIA TO HOST PATCH & BADGE SHOW IN NORMAN PARK

4th Annual

Southeast 

Patch & Badge

Trade Show

NOVEMBER 11,  2017

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

NORMAN PARK

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

249 W. WEEKS ST.

NORMAN PARK, GA.

Call (229) 873-0278  or 769-3611

(Norman Park PD)

Registration Fee   $15.  per Table


**********

ORLANDO SHOW IS ANOTHER SUCCESS

Doug Sarrubi, and his "Partner " John Holmes, have once again staged another successful "Badge and Patch" Show. The Orlando Show was held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, located in the heart of Florida's number one Vacation Location. That's Doug and John guard Ballroom B.

This year my Grandson, Cameron accompanied me. I told him it would be fun, and we would go to the Space Museum after the show. The truth is I needed help beyond the Bionic Improvements that let me move. Cam's primary job was to walk the floor and sell this fine Cleveland Police Coat. That's us below with the fine coat that, sad to say "I Still Own."

We had a few tables set up for my Exhibit. The wife, Lois,  and I placed our displays against the Starboard Wall of The Ballroom. I felt like I was in the Movie Business, being a Producer and Director. Can you hear me softly saying: "Put that over on the first table,  move those floor panels, be careful with that display case!." When we were finished, Cecil B. DeMille gave us a nice thumbs up. 

For the first time I  displayed a huge show case of those popular old badges that every Police Force used at one time or another. In this case I have 60 badges of every thing but Newark. A lot of the guys liked it which certainly made me happy. Next to it is a display of the Top Ten Cities (by population). Take a look below.

There were about 100 people showing and selling items at the various tables this year. That's a fabulous turn out. As usual I took my camera and snapped some pictures of those displays that caught my eye.

Just a few tables away from my exhibit was my old friend Chad Harris of Jacksonville PD. This year he had an awesome collection of items from the Jacksonville Sheriff, as well a New Orleans Display he created "for my wife."  He added some military memorabilia to insure his claim to be the Winner of BEST BADGE DISPLAY at this years Show. Here is our proud young Man - Chad Harris, with his wife and our Show Sponsors.

As I strolled around the crowded floor, leaving my display in the trusty hands of my wife Lois, and the Kid, I saw some wonderful items that I just had to take a picture of for memory sake. Here are a couple that "I just happened to like". I hope you guys enjoy these pictures.

The man pictured above should look familiar. It's Dick Tracy the famous Detective from decades ago. He sure looks good !  I let his nose point me in the direction of another great Display.

Pete Reid is of Bushnell FL. He is a long time attendee of this Show. This year he wowed everyone with big displays from: Maine, New Jersey; and the Illinois State Police. I was impressed with the NJ Sheriff's Badges. Pete's display was so great it won him the honor of being the winner of "THE BEST PATCH" display. Below is the picture of winner Mr Peter Reid. Holmes and Sarubbi are right there too.

 

I walked further through the displays and saw what looked like the wall of an Antique Store. It had everything that was old, that was hard to find, and that was just plain treasure.

The man that owned this massive display was Jeff Peeler of St Cloud, FL. He has a primary interest in Florida Highway Patrol. As a Major he might have good connections with this agency. Bottom Line Major Peeler is the Winner of the "BEST OVERALL DISPLAY." He was hard to find for a picture, but my friends in the Blue shirts caught him. Take a peek below.

This years Show, as in the past held a Patch Drop for interested collectors. The Winner, who received 40 patches, was Robert Popik from Lakeland Fl.  Unfortunately Bob was not available when I took the pictures of the Winners.

Well your writer left the Show and headed back to home (With one diversion) in Naples Fl. to check on a girl named Irma. Fortunately she was nice enough to spare my home, my collection, and my wishes to see everyone next year.

TOP COP COLLECTION: BERLIN

*****

BERLIN is the third badge in my "TOP COP COLLECTION."

This has been in my possession for over 30 years, but off the radar as a collectible until now. With the creation of my "Top Cop display this Berlin Borough Public Safety Director finally has a place to be displayed.

The history of this Borough dates back to Pre-Revolutionary times. It was situated on New Jerseys West Side, between Camden and Philadelphia. Those cities were the population locations then and now. Today there are roughly 7500 people in this community, which officially became a borough in 1927.

A good deal of this community is rural, wooded, and wet lands. The residential section has mainly Victorian homes that have been restored, or just well kept. Looks like a nice place. A bit too far for me to have any memories. Maybe I'll ask Kelly Ripa who once upon a time lived here.

Now to the Badge. Not a common shape for NJ badges. There is an Eagle on top with its' wings spread looking down on a wreath that trims a big circle. Inside is a large ring, and two panels,  The State Seal is at center point and dates back to the 1930's.

Looking first at the Seal, one will see this is a blue ringed seal. It gives one an idea of the age of this badge. It was probably applied to the badge between 1930 and 1960. A close look reveals that it is in excellent condition.           

Next look at the panels. The top reads Deputy Director, and the bottom reads NJ. Last the ring. It reads: Public Safety; Berlin Borough.

As noted above I have found a nice place for this badge in my new "TOP COP Display. I get a peek at it every day hanging proudly, under glass, on the wall facing my desk. I'm Proud to have them all.  

TOP COP COLLECTION: ANDOVER

*****

ANDOVER is the second badge in my "TOP COP COLLECTION."  

I have had it several years. An uncle gave it to me after moving from Andover to Florida. His home was very close to Police HQ on Lake Iliffe Rd. He moved in the mid 80's and gave it to me at the start of this millennium.

Andover is just like Florida. Farming that is. In the Garden State big red tomatoes were all over the landscape particularly on the farms in Sussex County. It's the same thing here in Florida only the plants are taller and the fruit is Orange. Florida too has more Cows then NJ, if your interested.

The Township has a population around 6000 people living on just under 20,000 square miles. In the old days the area of Andover Twp. was rural. It was picked in the 1930's by a German Nationalist Group to create their headquarters which they called Camp Nordland. 

In the camp's HQ,  propaganda supporting the Nazi's, was passed along to their members. They existed as a malignancy in an otherwise beautiful area.  In 1939 the local Sheriff, Denton Quick, closed the camp for good. That made big news at the time.

Today the Old Barn that was HQ is now part of  Township Property, and is watched over by a 12 man full time police force. Today there is no talk about Camp Norland. It has faded from memory. Today's residents are often surprised, when told about the camps existence on their turf.

This particular shield is a product of the 1970's (I think). The multi color seal was introduced to NJ badges in the early 1970's, so that is one indicator of age. The shape is of the one worn by NY Police Captains. It is not a shape that has large use in NJ.  Even though I like it. This "CHIEF"  is a nice fit for this collection where it becomes the second badge displayed.

LAST CALL FOR ORLANDO SHOW

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

ROSEN PLAZA HOTEL 9700 INTERNATIONAL DR. ORLANDO

CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE TOURIST DISTRICT. CLOSE TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, SEA WORLD, WALT DISNEY WORLD AND TWO WORLD-CLASS OUTLET MALLS.

EASY ACCESS TO ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, I-4 AND THE FL. TURNPIKE.

85 TABLES ARE AVAILABLE AT $30.00 EA.

SET-UP BEGINS AT 7:30 AM, THE SHOW OPENS AT 9AM.

A SPECIAL ROOM RATE OF $97 IS AVAILABLE FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS.

CALL 1-800-627-8258 FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS.

PLEASE MENTION THE “OCSO-Doug Sarubbi-VACATION CAPITAL POLICE SHOW” BY NAME.

FREE ON-SITE PARKING FOR ATTENDEES & GUESTS.

Awards will be presented for Best Badge, Best Patch and Best Overall Display. Admission is $3.00

FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

DOUG SARUBBI at sarubb@aol.com OR CALL

DAY: 407-351-9368 NIGHT: 407-297-1232

Co-Hosts: Ron Bartholome and John Holmes

Please confirm reservations by mailing payment to:

Doug Sarubbi, 4023 Salmon Dr. Orlando, FL 32835

TOP COP COLLECTION: ABSECON

This is a newer collection that I put together starting out a few years ago. The focus is on the top job in as many agencies as I could locate. I now have twenty, and have put them in a display box listing badges in alphabetical order.

ABSECON is the first of my TOP COP COLLECTION. I have had this badge over twenty years and just thought of it as a political boss' badges. That may be accurate but I never checked.

Absecon itself is a City, and is around six square miles in area. Some of that is under water. The population is around 8000. The population might go higher between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That is when the "Shore Season" has the city open for business.

Although this community became a City over 100 years ago it has remained off the radar for the last 30 + years. One's attention for the most part goes to the neighboring community of Atlantic City. 

For some (probably political) reason the police force in Absecon requires a Superintendent. This badge was issued for that tittle many years ago. It is styled after the New York Police Captains' Badge. This writer likes the design with the five "points" and blue lettering.

Because Absecon is a City, I originally included in my City Collection. Technically it is a City, but is so small it really does not fit with my interest for large NJ Cities. That fact helped give birth to my new collection - The Top Cop Collection. This is my first display item.

Look for similar articles in the future. 

STABLE SUPERVISOR, EARLY 1900's

This unique badge has been with me over 30 years. In my little museum at home, I have placed it with other badges that are not quite "Newark Police," but are related in many ways. This relationship is unique. I have a few different shields that fit in this category, but this item is the nicest. 

First lets' take a look at the center point of the badge. That is the "City Seal" of the City of Newark. If you are not familiar with Newark's Seal, you can check the ring around it. For clarification it reads: City of Newark over New Jersey.  The Seal is rare and is not on true Newark items unless someone authorized use of the special City Seal.

In the primary panel the words are: Department of Public Works. On the bottom panel is the title Supervisor Stable. Well, even if you think the title on this badge to be only some horse manure, this is a very nice badge.

lets note that this early 1900 badge is gold-tone and has very nice features. Note the twin wreaths on the sides and the Castle with Twin Turrets on top. This badge appears to have been made for someone with political stature. 

The job, and the Stables themselves were linked to Newark Police too. While the job relates to the City Stables in Branch Brook (A County) Park. This was the home of Newark's Mounted Squad's horses.

During my father's career he rode on the mounted squad for a couple of years. I don't think he ever saw this badge, but I have to imagine it would be a unique  interest to him. That is my father on Ginger, in 1929.

The items below are a matching set of breast badge and hat badge that belonged to my Father. If you have a good eye, you will see the number corresponds with the number in the picture. The Hat Badge is in the shape of the City Seal which while smaller is dead center of the Stable Supervisor badge.

OLD HAT CIRCA 1910 ADDED TO NEWARK COLLECTION

It has been a while since I obtained a piece of history worth writing about and posting here. But a few weeks ago I made a connection that resulted in a purchase of the above police hat.

The seller is someone I have been acquainted with over the years. You can imagine how happy I was to hear that he wished to "let it go." It didn't take too long before we agreed on the specifics. Soon the hat took a 1200 mile journey to my home, where it now is part of my Newark Police Collection.

I have been in the hobby now fifty years, getting my start from my father who was on the Newark force for 37 years. He gave me some of the badges he obtained over the years. That started my hobby.

After all the time (and money my wife would add if she were here) my focus has been on metal badges. They are rare enough, but while collecting them I never obtained "head dress" from N.P.D. until a few months back when I got a Newark Derby Hat.

The above has now become my second Newark Hat and it has a nice home for sure. It sports a "Hat Badge (Number 1090)" that is in good shape. On the top of the badge are the words: "NEWARK POLICE." I have several of these old badges and this one fits right in, although it stays on the hat (it's wired to it).

Take a closer look at the hat badge. In the center is a familiar Seal. This is a N.J. State Seal. On Newark's badges, and the current Hat Badge in particular, the Seal is a "City Seal." The Hat above, with its' badge, may very well have been the last usage of a NJ State Seal on Newark Uniforms. 

Hope you enjoy these pictures of this old artifact and the history it brings to the table.

*****   

ORLANDO SHOW TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 2 AT ROSEN HOTEL

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

ROSEN PLAZA HOTEL 9700 INTERNATIONAL DR. ORLANDO

CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE TOURIST DISTRICT. CLOSE TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, SEA WORLD, WALT DISNEY WORLD AND TWO WORLD-CLASS OUTLET MALLS.

EASY ACCESS TO ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, I-4 AND THE FL. TURNPIKE.

85 TABLES ARE AVAILABLE AT $30.00 EA.

SET-UP BEGINS AT 7:30 AM, THE SHOW OPENS AT 9AM.

A SPECIAL ROOM RATE OF $97 IS AVAILABLE FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS.

CALL 1-800-627-8258 FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS.

PLEASE MENTION THE “OCSO-Doug Sarubbi-VACATION CAPITAL POLICE SHOW” BY NAME.

FREE ON-SITE PARKING FOR ATTENDEES & GUESTS.

Awards will be presented for Best Badge, Best Patch and Best Overall Display. Admission is $3.00

FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

DOUG SARUBBI at sarubb@aol.com OR CALL

DAY: 407-351-9368 NIGHT: 407-297-1232

Co-Hosts: Ron Bartholome and John Holmes

Please confirm reservations by mailing payment to:

Doug Sarubbi, 4023 Salmon Dr. Orlando, FL 32835

MARSHAL TENAFLY NJ

Okay, I got me another New Jersey Marshal Badge. Yes Sir, that is great !

This Badge is from TENAFLY, NJ. This is a community up near the Hudson River and crossings to New York City. It is a nice place and consists of residents who travel to the big city on a daily basis.

The badge comes from the day when the community was young and under the NJ Borough form of Government the job of "Marshal" was described as the means of enforcing the law. This badge comes from that era just past 1894 ( Borough Act). It is a 2 inch Eagle on top of a Shield.

The badge is marked:  "MARSHAL" right at the top. On the next three panels it reads:  TENAFLY  and number 233.

*****

PROGRESS

In the old days if a gang was causing trouble a few cops on horseback dispersed the gang. They ran in all different directions, and the Cops would stop - CASE CLOSED.

Twenty-five years later if there is a gang causing trouble at the usual corner, police cars were sent. The Boys were taken downtown for a shower, a meal, had their picture taken and released - THAT USUALLY MEANT CASE CLOSED.

Twenty-five Days ago, "Anywhere USA", the Boys are back at it. Hold on, not so quick. They're not Boys anymore. Next did you   see that someone in City Hall actually gave them  a permit. The permit says this is their corner up to 11:00 PM. 

However "That Permit" does not give the Gang the right to be belligerent trouble seekers. If they go to far, the Police can be called. The Permit does not authorize Homicide, Arson or just simple Rioting. Those that have "The Permit" need to understand that it is a "privilege", and that there are rules (some of us refer to them as "LAWS) that must be obeyed.

When the Crowd, with the permit, goes to far with their "demonstration," it's time for the "Boys in Blue" to respond. 
When appropriate the Police can apply force to those that don't know how to act like human beings.  

It is sad when this becomes a bad scene. This is because our 'Young Urban Permit Holders' can't read the rules, and if they could, simply wouldn't care. Yeah, plenty of potential for some real harm in these situations, except someone, with brains,  gave the order to DISPERSE THE CROWD.  

Enough said: DISPERSE THE CROWD

N.P.D.  1919

*****

BALTIMORE CITY JAIL

I was standing on the corner doing no harm

Along came a cop and grabbed me by the arm

He took me to a little box and rang a little bell

Along came the wagon and took me to my cell

I woke up Sunday morning and looked around the wall

The chinches and the bedbugs were having a game of ball

The score was 6 to 0, the chinches were ahead

A bed bug hit a homerun and knocked me out of bed

I woke up Monday morning, the waiter came around

With a piece of bread and butter that weighed a half a pound

The coffee tastes like chewing tobacco

The bread was hard and stale

And that's the way they treat you in the Baltimore City jail

 WHITEY SCHWARTZ'S LIMERICK

(Real Author Unknown,Limerick Memorized by Whitey who will be 94 on 2/22/17 - Happy Birthday my Friend)

NEW NEWARK ADDITION - MATCHING (1890 - 1914) BADGE SET

WOW. THESE ARE BEAUTIFUL.

At least to me these badges, a matching hat and breast badge, mind you, are beauties. I have stood in line fifty years for something like this set.

They are a Fourth Generation "Newark" badge set. They are often called the "Newark Radiator" with the matching, and, maybe, better known  (more in circulation) "Newark Oval."

I now have eleven "Ovals," but only one officer's breast badge from this 4th edition. Those pictured are the set as identified by the number. As you can see the number "175" is stamped into the top of the radiator, while on the oval the same numbers are rather large and applied at center point.

These items will be placed with the jewels of my Newark Collection. I have a few that I give treasure status too. I  guarantee this they will be under lock and key. 

There is so much history with these two treasures. They are at least 100 years of age ending there service in 1914. Certainly I can't remember historical events that occurred while these badges stood watch over my hometown, but just looking at them I see a lot of history. They will be put under glass, and given a prominent position on my wall of treasures, safely locked away in my collection with other memories in my display cases.

HAT BADGE #652

A while back I wrote about my collection of Newark Hat Badges prior to 1914 when the current Hat Badge was introduced. The items in my collection are oval in design and are known, in the trade, as "Newark Ovals." 

For the longest time I used these badges to trim other badge displays. I would put an "oval" in each corner with the center reserved for the badge I wanted to focus on. This worked nice for a number of years, although my wife really isn't impressed with my display techniques. She is learning however. 

As I acquired more and more "Ovals," I thought I have enough to make a display of just these interesting badges. As you can see I placed them in "number" order. At the top is number "2." That is quite a cool item, but I sure do wish I had number "1."

The highest number in this display is "700."  If you're thinking of desirable numbers, then, this item is very unimpressive. The other numbers range from "93" to "511."

My goal now is to find #1, and maybe a few more so I can expand this display. I found one during the last year, and, as you can see from the headline, I am giving it quite a bit of attention. It is number "652"

Well you say, "That's close to "700," so what is so impressive about it?"

Take a good look at the picture. You will see that the "N.P.D. Hat" comes with the badge. Check the pictures below.
    

Naturally, I would want an old police hat to put in my collection, but this one is super nice. First, it just is a Rare Old Police Hat, which I just love. Even my wife was excited when she saw it, begging the question "Where are you going to put that?" 

Second this Hat is not only a fine looking antique, it is from my favorite Police Department - Newark, NJ. Last the Hat has its' original hat badge still in place. It is number "652." It is affixed to the Hat by wire extended through two open posts coming from the rear of the badge.

The wife was right when she expressed her concern on where to display my Hat. She suggested (not really), "Hobby Lobby" as a source for a display box. I found the perfect fit for this hat, when I purchased a glass Basketball Display Unit. 

With the display unit, I can protect my Hat, display it with Respect, and see it every day. We (me) are sure proud to have this item and to display it with my other memories. 

ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER BADGE

Well we have another year (2016) in the books. I made it !

I had a decent 2016. No major health issues. I guess that's because I visit the doctor every day ( seems that way even if not true), and my wife wont't let me eat. It seems like all food is bad.

During 2016 I managed to obtain a couple of NJ Marshal badges to help build that collection. I don't know of anybody else who collects this type of badge which was the forerunner of the police department for the communities involved. I have learned that with the creation of the Borough Form of Government many smaller communities elected to handle their public safety concerns by hiring "Marshals." I have around 25 badges now from whatever the number of communities that are in this category.  The picture below shows them off as a display group (that means the picture isn't a good close up). In 2017 I'll keep my eye out hunting for these items and try to add to this collection.

During the year I did manage a trip to Ireland  where I met two Garda (Police) Officers, who like me are members of the International Police Association. They gave me special attention which I certainly enjoyed and added a little something for me to display. The picture below (no complaints as it is a better picture then the other one) shows some of the items given to me during my stay in Dublin.

Of course I hunted for Badges from Newark. The wife likes this group the best as the pickings are few and far between. I do get some every now and then, and did get lucky near the end of the year. I have a few things to do before a I show these prizes here. I can't wait to write about them.

So it looks like I have some work to do in 2017. I wish you all good health and good pickings.

HAPPY NEW YEAR