THE ROOTS OF MY INTEREST IN NEWARK N.J. AND POLICE BADGES AND MEMORABILIA

1967 was a volatile year. It was 4 years after JFK met an assassins bullet in Dallas. Viet Nam was a "popular" subject across the country. Racial tensions were prevalent in most large urban areas. Newark was a dangerous city in July of 1967. 

There was a spark and the City erupted. Gun fire, was to say the least, not uncommon. Buildings were set on fire. Fireman were shot at by snipers. Buildings were looted. Businesses were destroyed. In the months and years that followed city blocks literally disappeared. For years the area looked like a war zone. Newark today is another story. 

My father worked during the riots at HQ and said he saw action only from a distance. He was posted to the roof of HQ on Franklin St. It was "my shotgun" that he borrowed, while I had the good fortune to be honeymooning in the Bahamas.

When I got back to Newark the above Life Magazine was on my desk. I was assigned to investigate this shooting at the request of the NJ Administrative Office of the Courts. I still have the the magazine 50+ years. 

Strangely the picture on the cover does not share, in part, my findings of: "no serious injury, superficial wound etc." 

A couple of months after the Riot My father obtained this  DEPUTY CHIEF retirement badge from an old friend. He later gave it to me. It was one of the first of a few badges he gave me. Now, 50+ years later I proudly remember it, and the beginnings of my Badge Collecting Hobby. The Badge and other Memories are under glass hanging on the walls in my Den. I enjoy seeing it all every day.

NEWARK CIVIL DEFENSE COLLECTION

I have a small box of badges that are not hanging on the walls of my museum (Den). I don't go through it very often, but recently there was some interest. After sorting out the contents on the kitchen counter (my wife wasn't home at the time) I found eight beautiful badges from: Civil Defense - Newark, NJ.

These badges are in excellent condition, and in fact look like they were made only yesterday. Why they were not mounted under glass in a nice display box is beyond me. It didn't take long to solve this problem. Along the way I remembered I had these badges at one time on display, but stashed them away, using the space for something of, at the time, greater interest.

At the top of this article is the 9" x 12"  Oak box (Glass Front) that these eight badges now call "home."  I found a spot on my wall that they can hang with some other treasures from Newark, N.J.  Now let me share some history.

These Badges date back to the 1940's. They were issued to civilians who came to the call for volunteers during the war effort. Mayor Vincent Murphy issued the call for assistance three days after Pearl Harbor. A copy of his letter, dated Dec 10, 1941, to the citizens of Newark is below:

That's a pretty cool piece of history. I wish I had the original document in my collection, but I'll just have to settle for the beautiful Civil Defense badges presented in this post.

The group below are entry level or "Officer Badges." They were made by H. Buchlien & Son in Newark. The design is a Jersey Standard  circle on an eagle, with the center left for usually a State or City Seal. The first three badges have a raised mound at the center with the words: POLICE DEPT stamped into its' surface. 

The above two badges have a nicer Center Piece. Using raised letters the inscription reads POLICE. All five of these badges are Nickle plated, and, as the pictures show, are in excellent condition. Working pins, with catches, are in the rear of these items. They measure almost 3 inches in height.

Below are three more Civil Defense Badges. They are "rank" badges and are marked:  Sergeant,  Lieutenant, and  Deputy Chief.

The two Items pictured above are also nearly 3 inches in height. They are gold-tone finish in excellent condition. The Sergeants Badge is looking factory new, with the Lieutenant's looking  like it has a little wear (It still looks good). Both have a red, white, and blue Civil Defense (CD) at center point.  They are numbered  6 and 68 respectfully.

The last badge pictured is the smallest in the display. It measures 2 inches in height. This badge also has a gold-tone finish with the distinctive multi color seal in the middle. It is marked with recessed blue enamel lettering, which reads: Deputy Chief,  Newark AUX, Fire Dept, NJ. This shield is the only one with the identification of FIRE Dept stamped into it.

All of these badges, having now been rescued from storage, are now hanging proudly on the wall in my den. Each day I look at them I can't help thinking how I buried them in a box for all those years. Now I am very happy to have them out where they can be appreciated.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023

 

HAPPY  2023

 

2023 is here. Best wishes to all.

I trust this will be a good and a healthy year for those of us in the hobby. I have in the past enjoyed going to the various shows in the South Eastern US, and hope to do so again. Health is the key, and it is becoming a challenge.

I broke my shoulder and arm in March of 2022. Now after two surgeries, and  ten months in a sling I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I will start Physical Therapy in late February of this year (2023).

 

Thank God we had Health Insurance. The wife and I will still be changing who rides "Shotgun" soon. 

 

I hope this is a better year than last. Health issues have been to close to home. We hope you have a great 2023.