RARE NEWARK BADGES OBTAINED BY THIS COLLECTOR

Take a look at these "Twins." Nice Curves. Starry Eyes. Golden Finish. These fine specimens are from the 1920's-30's and are not common in the Badge Collector's World.

Lets look at the badge on the left. 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 bottom is the number "106". I think the enamel has been re-touched; it was that way when I purchased it.

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 reads "SERGEANT STENOGRAPHER." The lower panel carries the number 1. This Badge is unique; I have never seen another.

I have seen similar badges from Newark. Two that I own are for: "Telephone Operator," and "Asst. Chief, Identification Bureau." 

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.

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 remains a mystery, but the badge has become an item I value quite a bit.