NEW ADDITION: TRENTON CITY POLICE

Along my way covering the Municipal Collection I managed "another find" that warrants a picture and description.
 

This recently acquired badge is from the "Trenton City Police." It is numbered 33 with add on numerals that may have changed a few times before this item went its' merry way to the collectors world.

This item is worn to the point you can hardly see the department name over the seal. It is the seal that tells you this is from Trenton.   Instead of a  N.J. State Seal they use their distinct City Seal. 
 
On the back of this item you can see that the pin at some point in time was replaced. It is held together in a "mound" of solder. It certainly does not look like the manufacturers work, so probably a  do it yourself repair job. The "C" catch also looks to have been replaced as it opens in the wrong direction. It too has excess solder holding in place.


This is the second badge of this design that I now have. My first, number 60, is in better condition. It is probably a little newer. I pictured it here as it helps to "see" the letters on number 33 as well as the City Seal.

This new badge will likely find a home in my (NJ) City Collections Display. I only wanted (a long, long time ago) the top ten cities.  In the quest for the "big ten" I have obtained  a representative from 24 cities. I like them. I have them under glass in a nice display case that hangs on my wall.

All the badges hanging  in my den give me a nice feeling every day when I look at them. Most of them tell a story or tweak a memory. Guess that is why I collect them.

MUNICIPALS - "F" IS FOR FT. LEE

 
"F" is for Fort Lee. These badges represent the thirteenth different community in my Municipal Collection.

Fort Lee is a little community on the Hudson River. It uses the "Borough" form of government. That is why it is in with the "muni's."

When the lights go out there will be around 14,000 saying their nightly prayers and, going to sleep in this metropolis across from New York City.  

When the Sun comes up the daily commuters that travel through Fort Lee will bring the population figure up well over 100,000. The reason is the bridge pictured above.

This is not just a bridge but the very well know George Washington Bridge (GWB). It stretches across the Hudson River into Manhatten.  The bridge  makes Fort Lee an important spot on the New Jersey map. 

Besides the bridge, Ft. Lee was also know as the capital of the motion picture industry. I learned that when I visited Thomas Edison's Museum, a few miles away,  in Edison's Museum in West Orange, N.J.  

In the late 1800's Mr. Edison brought his movie making equipment to Fort Lee and started the whole movie thing.  A lot has changed since then. Even in N.J. people think of Edison's work being at other locations. Things change.


I "Got Lucky" with this Borough. I managed to obtain three nice shields over my forty years of collecting.  Of course they did not all come to me at once. 

I have had the Sergeant's badge since the late 1980's. I always loved the light blue background in the ring where the gold State Seal is located. In the outside ring the blue is darker with the words Borough of Ft Lee Police Dept. This is the only badge I have where there are two background colors. Not even the Chief's badge has this unique finish.

The Officer's shield #319, and the Chief's Badge  came to my collection over the last ten years or so. They were found in the custody of others in the hobby who were in the process of down sizing their collection. It was my good luck to respond to their calls and obtain them. 

Like all the badges in my collection these three items reside under glass and in a locked case. They are treasures. I am very happy to have them. 

MUNICIPALS - "F" IS FOR FLORHAM PARK

 F is for Florham Park. This is the twelfth municipal badge, in  alphabetical order, in my Municipal Collection.I lived close to this community prior to retiring. It used to be a sleepy little town just over the Morris/Essex county lines. Today I imagine it is still a very desirable place to live. 

When I lived there it was possible to see the (NY) Giants practice at Farleigh Dickinson University. That no longer is true, but the Jets have moved into town or at least maintain a PO BOX there.

The badge that is featured here is an old one. It was made in the traditional designe  with a State Seal stamped into it. The panels read: FLORHAM PARK, on the top. On the bottom is a quite large panel that reads: SPECIAL. It looks like it was applied over what was intended to be a number box.

I like this design so for a variety of reasons included it in the display. It is in very good condition and when I look at it there are some nice memories that make their way to the front of my mind.

NEW ADDITION: NEWARK "SPECIAL POLICE"

Anything from Newark is always a nice addition to the collection. The badge here was issued roughly around 1900-1930. I have a particular interest in it as my father, in the last couple of years of his career as a Newark Detective, served as Liaison to the City's Special Police. That was in the late 1960's. By then they used badges similar to the regular force.

What is neat about this item is the City Seal. It is stamped into the badge from the rear. Over the years it has smoothed out some, but not to the point that the distinctive hand holding a hammer can't be seen. That is beautiful.

The top of the badge is the number 296. I already own 285. The main panel reads: Special Police. On the bottom it reads Newark, NJ. A pin, and "C" catch are fixed to the rear of this treasure. It is in working condition, but I leave it alone. I won't even let the grandson wear it in the house. It is under glass with some other fine items from Newark. I am pleased to have it, and the memories it brings to mind.

MUNICIPALS - "E" IS FOR ENGLEWOOD

E is for Englewood. This is the eleventh badge following the alphabet rule, however it is here in my Municipal Collection, because of a lack of space in my "City" display.

This particular badge is for a "Special" officer and that title appears at the very top of the badge. It is a banner carried by an eagle.

In the main body of this shield there is an applied multi colored State of N.J. Seal. I guess this really makes it official, but I always prefer the older seals that are plated.

There are three panels on this item. They mark  the words: Police,   Officer, Englewood.

This is a fine looking item, and it will continue to reside under glass in my displays. Even if it isn't quite in the right location I'll keep it.

MUNICIPALS - "E" IS FOR ELIZABETH

"E" is for Elizabeth. In sequence this would be the tenth in alphabetical order. That is how they are displayed.

Initially I must admit there is a problem with this one. Elizabeth is a City. It is in here because I didn't have room for it anywhere else.

I was able to obtained a couple of nice items from this location, but only displayed one in my City Collection. I covered that badge in a post dated January 19, 2010. Boy time is flying. 

This particular badge is one that I have had for a long time. It is in great shape, and of a traditional design. It is gold tone with blue letters. There is a pin and clasp on the rear.

It is marked: Elizabeth Police, with the Sergeant title in the bottom number box. In the top section is an applied Seal from the City which adds a very nice touch and makes the badge unique to this community.

Having a second item from this location has forced me to place it where it is. That is OK. I am proud to have it and to display it, knowing their is another one over my shoulder in the correct location.

NEW ADDITION: ATLANTIC CITY DETECTIVE

 
After several weeks of hunting for either a trade or an acquisition I finally closed a deal for a new edition to my City Collection. It will fit very nice with a couple of other items from the City by the Sea.


I found this badge on Ebay and made the purchase. I usually stay away from that source, but this one looked pretty good. It is from Atlantic City, N.J.


It was issued to "Special Detectives."  It is very nice crafted badge using a blue and white enamel over gold tone finish. 


The tittle is at the top of a ring that surrounds the "City Seal." The name of the City is at the bottom. I believe this badge was used in early 1900's through 1930. The manufactures mark is present on the rear,  which also names Attelboro, Mass. as the manufacturing location.


It all depends on where one sits when looking at an item such as this, but from this perspective it looks great, and will be welcome in my collection.