ORLANDO - POLICE BADGE AND PATCH SHOW

ORLANDO -  POLICE BADGE AND PATCH SHOW

by
Dennis Beyer  with  Doug Sarrubi

Oh my God. Has time passed ever so fast. I can't believe I traveled all the way to Orlando, AGAIN! The fact is, I did do it AGAIN. That means another year has passed, and it was time for the 2018 edition of the "Vacation Capital Police Badge and Patch Show."

On arrival I immediately spent a few minutes with John Holmes and Doug Surubbi. Once again they are the Hosts for the Show. They were quite busy, so I went about my business, and set up my display.

I took a couple tables this year, and brought  only items relating to my Newark Police Display. I usually focus on that part of my collection anyway, so this year, I just made it a "tad smaller."

I have been collecting over 50 years! I have some cool old items, as well as some items that I call, Unique. That means, the Badge was for someone other then a police officer. You would be surprised at all the different titles there are. Some day I plan to show "all  my uniques."

Just a few weeks ago I added a one-of-a-kind Badge that has a unique title. I took it to Orlando just to show it off.  It was made for a Sergeant Stenographer.  The finish is gold fill on a badge typically used for a Newark Sergeant during the early 1900's. To complete the markings on this rare item, is the "number one" at the bottom, with "POLICE and NEWARK" flanking The City Seal. Take a look.  

After I got my Displays set correctly on the tables, I let my wife "guard" them so I could walk the floor of the huge Ballroom. It was set for 100 tables. The room was packed, and deals were being made. 

During my walking tour, I said, "Hello," to several members of our great Hobby. I even managed to purchase "thirteen badges" for my collection. The Pequannock Chief, below, was just one of my "finds" at this year's Show.

Well that's enough on my interests. There were a number of displays to see. I managed to see all the exhibits, and talk with a few old friends. Let me show you a couple of the Exhibitors with their prized badges and patches.

First all participants of the Show are greeted outside the Ballroom by the lovely Megan who for the last few years has been helping her dad, Doug Sarrubi with the Registration Table.

Inside the Ballroom were nearly one hundred people. I walked through the masses clicking a picture to share every so often. I caught some Table Holders by surprise. Below are   two examples of people enjoying the Show. The first man has a cool collection of Challenge Coins. The people in the second picture are looking at exhibits.

Moving around the floor I found John Radcliffe who was holding down a few tables next to my display. John showed off this nice collection of Patches from Pinellas County, Fl. He also had a neat decal from Pittsburgh Pa.

Around the corner from John,  a collector  displayed Philadelphia Officer's Badge, ID, Gun, and Blackjack. The display was originally owned by Sgt. Robert Olley. He was a Detective with the Philadelphia Police Dept.

After moving on, I saw Veteran Collector Rick Amos. He is always here. He told me he was enjoying the Show, and then added He found a nice old Los Angeles Police Badge. This made him quite happy. That purchase is going to be a nice addition to his, already impressive, "L.A. Collection." This might be the biggest "find" of the Show.

Before my feet got overwhelmed from walking, I  managed to click some pictures to share. Here are a few presented in random order from various displays.

    

The U.S. Capital Police and Inauguration Badges were featured at a couple of different displays. I must say they were all super attractive. 

The display that really caught my eye is the last one pictured above. The light blue paper alerts visitors that "All Badges for Sale." 

The large white paper advises that these are Presidential Inauguration Badges. These Inauguration Badges represent one Badge for every year that a Badge was ever issued. 

The little white paper (3rd from left) on the table establishes the price - $18,000. Simply fabulous!!!!!!



At the conclusion of the show awards were given to:

    

 JEFF  PEELER   

BEST PATCH

(Left/Right  Ron Barthalome, John Holmes, Jeff Peeler, and Doug Surrubi)  
          

   

   

   LEWIS SURREY       

BEST BADGE

(Left/Right John Holmes, Lewis Surrey, Ron Barthalome, and Doug Sarubbi)

GEORGE MOTLEY

  BEST OVER  ALL

(Left/Right  Ron Barthalome, Keith Bushey,  Doug Sarubbi, John Holmes. and Meghan Sarubbi)  
       
  

       

  RON KUCH

   PATCH  DROP

    WINNER

(Doug Sarubbi, Ron Kuch and John Holmes)               

                                                          

A New "Donut Hole Award" was presented for being the"Coolest Persons" at this years' "Vacation Capital Show." The winners, pictured below are:

(Doug Sarubbi, with his daughter MEGAN; John Barthalome, and John Holmes)                                                                                  

CONGRATULATIONS to all Winners, and Our Thanks to Doug Sarubbi, and John Holmes for a job well done!

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