RARE NEWARK BADGES OBTAINED BY THIS COLLECTOR

Take a look at these "Twins." Nice Curves. Starry Eyes. Golden Finish. What more could I want. These fine specimens are from another age - 1920's-30's. They definitely are not common, in the Badge Collector's World.

Lets look at the Top Badge first. It is a standard issue Newark Sergeant Badge of the 1920-30 time frame. She shows her age a little, but has no heavy duty scratches, or blemishes.  

She is stamped "POLICE, NEWARK, NJ," from the rear, so the letters are raised on the front side. At the Center is a distinctive City of Newark Seal.

Looking closer at this badge you will see a panel that was affixed to the top of this badge. It is stamped so the word "SERGEANT" appears, with recessed black enamel filled letters. At the very bottom is a similar panel, with the same recessed coloring. Inside this panel is the number "106". These panels look new, or perhaps the Lady just put on her "morning  make up." I think the enamel has been re-touched. It was that way when I purchased it. 

Over all this badge has no dents, dings, or scratches, but it is  worn. The pin is working, and a "C" Catch is present. The Item is Hallmarked by, Buchlein,  a local Newark maker.

Now lets look at the Second Badge. Although it is on the same body as the Sergeant's Shield, the panels are quite different.

The first panel, with recessed letters, reads " SERGEANT STENOGRAPHER." The lower panel carries the number 1. This Badge is unique. I have never seen another. This badge could very well be a one of a kind.

I have seen similar badges from Newark. The difference is in the panels. Two, that I own, are for: "Telephone Operator," and "Asst. Chief, Identification Bureau." See the pictures below.

While this appears to be a specialty badge, I do know that stenographers were a part of the Newark  Police Dept. I know the creation of a badge for a "Stenographer" had legitimate roots in the Newark NJ of the 1930's.

One Newark Stenographer found some fame for just doing his job. It was on October 23, 1935 that F. J. Lang, a Police Stenographer, was called to take down the last words of Arthur Flegenheimer, a.k.a. Dutch Schultz.

The record Lang produced became a subject of study by Criminologists and Movie Producers. Given the History of Mr Lang, and the infamous Dutch Schultz, I wonder,  if He could be the Stenographer that was issued the Badge I now own. The answer of course remains a mystery. The Badge, however has become an item I value quite a bit. It is in one of my usual glass faced display cases. 

I certainly enjoy seeing these Badges on a daily basis. They bring memories of Newark to the front of my mind, where they ignite a nice feeling of pride and satisfaction for my Collection. 

TOP COP COLLECTION: LEONIA CHIEF

TOP COP COLLECTION: LEONIA CHIEF

*****

Leonia is in Bergen County, N.J.  It is number Twelve in my TOP COP COLLECTION.

This Community is only a few minutes away, except during the morning rush hour, from New York City. Then it takes days to get over the George Washington Bridge.

When it is time to go to work the population of roughly 9000 sees itself drop to near ghost town numbers. There are only a few souls left in the community. The kids are present along with their teachers. Also present is the Leonia Police.  

The Cops do a good job, keeping this community safe. Even though this is a safe place to live, it also has a horror tale in its' history. An infamous Shoe Maker, and his thirteen year old son, put Leonia on the map almost fifty years ago. The exact date was Jan. 8, 1975.

"The Shoe Maker," was one Joseph Kallinger. He gained entrance into a home  by pretending to be an Insurance Salesman. Once in the house he subdued all occupants, and then waited for other family members to return home.

Maria Fasching , age 21, was the final person to come into the house that day. She was a Nurse, and stopped in to make a routine check on a neighbor. She found utter horror that day. The young woman didn't cave in to the threats of her captor. She held her ground. She boldly confronted Kallinger. She died for her efforts. 

A surviving witness stated that Miss Fasching, "admonished Kallinger for his aberrant behavior."  He admonished her by cutting her throat. 

Kallinger was eventually captured in Pennsylvania. He drew a 40 year sentence for his crimes in that State. While institutionalized the crazy-man repeatedly verbalized a desire to "kill every person on Earth."  As an inmate he somehow got lighter fluid and poured it over himself,  lighting it, and then tried to "fry an egg on his head."  I'll have mine well done !

I am glad this "Shoemaker Story" is not an every day event in Leonia.  I am also very glad to have this old shield from their good community. It is very simple, and traditional. It simply reads: Leonia  Police Department. The rank panel reads: CHIEF.

Like the others in this Collection I keep this Badge in a locked Display Case. I see it every day, and it triggers the memory of that horrible day fifty some years ago.

"FOR THEIR VALOR" - ORLANDO LUNCHEON FOR NY HEROES DEC 8 2018

TOP COP COLLECTION: LINDEN

Continuing with my "Top Cop Collection," this is the Eleventh badge that has reached its' way to my little museum down here in Sunny Florida. It is from Linden, somewhere in my Old Home State of  New Jersey.

I felt like an explorer looking for this dot on a map of Jersey. I always do that to see if it makes something "pop" in my memory files. Nothing happened !

As I was hunting around the internet, my wife came into my Den. I shot her a quick question, to derail whatever was on her mind saying: "Have you ever heard of Linden?" She replied, "Yeah, sure," and remained at my desk.

Seeing this beautiful badge she said, "Where did you get that one." I told her,  "I got it from another collector, at a show up in Orlando,  a few years ago."

She still wanted me to do something. I could just sense it. I continued to hold her off by saying: "Look at the silver toned eagle sitting on a standard Jersey shield finished with a gold tone."  Standard yes, but uniquely different at the same time.  I said, "Beautiful isn't it ?"

I moved my fingers to the N.J. State Seal. I pointed out the silver toned wreath under the Seal and remarked: "I have never seen anything like it." Along with bold blue lettering. this badge was impressive. I stared at it wondering, what great tales about Linden would I soon unearth. I also kept  wondering about what was on my wife's mind. My questions would soon be answered.

Sure enough, the wife allowed herself to get free from this badge, that somehow had captured her heart. (Yeah, I don't believe that either). She announced: "Don't forget tomorrow. You are taking my mother to the doctors!" 

Her Mother recently moved, to our little house, in the "Lightning Capital of the World" from, "Yup," Linden, N.J.  Maybe I was trying to forget that little dot on the 
map !

My mumble was quite clear, "Yeah, I know about your Mothers' Doctors appointment." I rubbed my eyes, and suddenly I got hit with "de ja vu" all over again. That means, I "Remembered Something Big" about Linden, N.J.  It was the "Big Explosion at the Oil Refinery." I put the badge down and started googling.

I read that this was a "Major Disaster." It took place in late 1970. The Blast woke every single person in Linden, Neighboring Communities, and 40 miles up the Hudson River. It was The Bayway Refinery, that around 11:00 PM, had exploded !  It caused  flames to soar 100' into the air. They were seen for miles in both New York and New Jersey.

Linden Police spearheaded a Response that included both Police and Fire contingents from all local Stations, Neighboring Communities, Staten Island, as well as Manhattan.  

The Police closed off all incoming traffic and helped move the injured to local hospitals. They patrolled the business area, looking for looters, as well as working the scene of this Disaster.

Reports indicated that there were numerous injuries, but apparently no fatalities. That was amazing. Somebody was watching over Linden, The Workers at the Bayway Plant, and the fine members of their Police Department that night. Thank God.

With that last thought I'll put this fine badge back, in its locked oak and glass display case, and find a quiet spot to put the rest of my day in serious thought.  I resurrected some memories, that will come to mind when I see this badge in my collection.

And yes, I remembered to take my mother-in-law to the doctors'. I can end this story knowing She remains in good health. 

I have a Beautiful Collectors Item with this Badge, and most important, I am not in any trouble with the wife, until I find another old badge.