INSPECTION TIME

Inspection Time.  Glad it didn't rain.

This scene comes from, believe it or not, 1906. I wasn't even born yet. In fact it was a while, a long while, before any thought of me was on anyone's mind.   

The picture though is History. Taken in 1906 it captures the force in their blues with gray high hats.

This location was an important spot for the City dating back to the 1600's. During my time, it was torn apart and dug up to build an underground parking lot. It was "progress."  Somehow I think the old way was better.  Enjoy the picture.

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MUNICIPALS: "C" IS FOR CLEMENTON

The above is a municipal badge that fit into my Municipal Collection in a very nice way. It brings this collection, which focuses on similar shaped Municipal (not city) badges, up to fifty-eight pieces.  

There are over 500 such communities in New Jersey. Cities are not included in this collection. While the focus is on those badges that have the "New York" look. It is not known how many communities used this shape.

During the early part of the year I was fortunate to obtain two badges from this community. I have placed one in the display  and sold the other.

Clementon is on the top row (3rd from right). Along with a couple other new badges I was forced to rearrange my five row exhibit into a six row display. It is due to my increasing the numbers in the collection now at fifty-eight.

The Town of Clementon was new to my ears. I never heard of the place, and realy had doubts that this was the real thing. I knew the seller so I was in a trusting mood when I bought it.  A quick check using my I phone told me Clementon was real.

History shows that Clementon "Borough" was created out of the larger (now defunct) Clementon Township in 1925. Maybe I will live to see the Community celebrate its 100th birthday. I'd be just a little older.

In its day there was a popular amusement park within its' borders that featured The "Jack Rabbit" Roller-coaster. It made it to the 21st Century, then gave way to progress. It was demolished in 2002.

There are roughly 5000 people in this Community by the Lake. They are reportedly happy as their dispositions are sweetened by a major candy producer (Giambri's Quality Sweets)) that resides there too. Sounds good to me.

Well the badge is something that I consider sweet too. It is obsolete, but in very clean condition.

This badge clearly is that shape that I like. It is also stamped with the State Seal at the center, and a number box at the bottom. In it is number 33. The letters "NJ" are stamped below the number box.

At the top are two panels that were proudly filled with: Clementon, and Police.  Step back twenty feet and you won't be able to tell this badge from any other my collection. Be that as it may, I am proud to have each one.

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MUNICIPAL COLLECTION: NEW ADDITION NUTLEY

This is Nutley. It is an item I have in my municipal display.

I got this a few months ago at a show in Titusville, FL. The Gentleman had almost everything. At least he had a handful that I wanted, so a deal was made.

It is that standard shape that I like. Nothing fancy at all. Stamped from the rear, including State Seal, and State letters, N.J., at the bottom.  All that is needed to make it complete are words and numbers.

The panels on this badge have been stamped and enamel filled with the words: Nutley and Police.

At the bottom, the number "16" has been added to a box that could contain up to four letters. That's it! It is ready to go as another distinct, or not so distinct, municipal badge. It was a money saver for sure, and the design was used all over New Jersey and in other States as well. Just add your town and a number.

Most of these badges, regardless of the community, are obsolete. Even the replacement badges seems to have been retired like me decades ago.

Despite my retired status I still stretch the mind every now and then, and of course I remember Nutley, NJ.

It is a small town on the Passaic River, just a stones throw from glamorous Newark N.J. In today's world it is not a good idea to throw stones in Newark direction. They might shoot back. In the Old Days it might have been a different story, as Annie Oakley was a resident of Nutley. She knew something about shooting too. That's okay as my memories are vested in badges, and the one above, is one I am pleased to own, and have on display in my collection. Even Annie likes it.

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ORLANDO SHOW ANNOUNCED

TO THE BADGE COLLECTING COMMUNITY,

The 2015 Vacation Capital Police Collectors Show will be held in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, September 5, 2015.  Make plans now to attend this fabulous show, and then spend the weekend enjoying the attractions.  Enjoy the sights of Orlando from the new “Orlando Eye”, Ferris wheel for a spectacular view of Orlando, 400 feet in the air. Or visit the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum or the SEA LIFE Aquarium.  New restaurants and attractions are all within walking distance from the hotel.  Book your hotel reservations early.Follow us on Facebook at 2015 Vacation Capital Police Collectors Show. Please feel free to pass along our flyer through your email contact list. Hope to See You There.

You're Show Host.

Doug Sarubbi

NEW ADDITION TO CITY COLLECTION: ATLANTIC CITY

Now, I thought the "City Collection" was done quite a while ago. Guess not, as I recently obtained this beauty at a badge show in Florida.

My first thought was, where am I going to place it. There just isn't much room in the display case I have, and there isn't any room on the wall for a bigger case (Just ask my wife).

I decided to do the old squeeze play.  That means I moved some smaller old detective shields closer making room for this ancient badge from Atlantic City, N.J.

The shape is quite common in NJ, and has become my favorite. The item is made in a generic form for various (several hundred) municipalities. A State Seal is stamped into the badge, along with the letters "NJ" at the bottom. When a community made a purchase, the agency name was stamped into the top panels. In this case the panels read "Atlantic City - Police." 

On the bottom of the badge is a number box. Normally numbers are added here, but not on this badge with rank. Instead there is a full panel that contains the word "Sergeant" in reverse blue lettering. As Sergeant Badges go, this one isn't very impressive, and looks like "all the others (Just ask my wife)." 

What makes this badge different, is what you can't see. Forget the shape, the stamped State Seal, and the identification panels. Forget the worn, black enamel filled lettering at the top. What makes this a badge of interest, for me, is it comes from a municipality designated to be a "City." Out of N.J.'s 500+ municipalities there are only 45-50 legitimate Cities. 

In addition this badge comes from New Jersey's  most popular tourist destination. It is well known through out the world for its gorgeous beach, Boardwalk, Steel Pier, and Casino's.

These facts are important. They make this addition to my collection very desirable and collectible  (Now where is my wife so I can explain all these facts)". 

Well without taking up any additional wall space I have placed this badge in my City Collection, where it is one of thirty-eight (38). As an "A" it rests near the top (The wife told me to alphabetize my collections, and I listened). It is in a nice oak case, under glass, with lock and key. I am quite happy to have it, as well as the fond memories I have from the Board Walk and yearly Conventions in Old A.C. 

LIEUTENANT, NEW ADDITION TO NEWARK COLLECTION

This is definitely a find. It is a Newark PD "Lieutenant's" Badge. This one is marked number 61.

This shape is the same as the Sergeant's badge, with identical stamped wording for: Police, and Newark, NJ.

The top panel is for the rank. The lettering here is recessed with enamel fill. The number box is made the same way.

This design was phased out during the 1950's. There were not that many badges made for N.P.D.'s Lieutenants, probably less then 100, so this item is quite rare.

I know this is a keeper and will place it with some other beautiful antiques from Newark - my old home town. Of course that was a century or so ago. There are many memories from "My City" and these badges make one or two flash in front of me as I make my daily check of what has become, after 45 years, one fabulous collection.

ANOTHER "UNIQUE" NEWARK ITEM

This is both old and unique. At first glance it looks like an old Sergeant Badge issued prior to 1957. It is in fairly decent shape considering its age.

What struck me first was the Seal located at dead center. It is most definitely the City Seal of Newark, NJ. The words: "Police" and Newark, NJ" were the next areas of this badge that jumped at me. They are stamped into badge shell and look exactly like the Sergeants shield.

The next sections are rather odd. At the top, and bottom are panels with blue recessed lettering. The top reads: "Asst. Chief Identification," and the bottom panel says, "Officer." Also sitting there is the number 6.

In the day Newark had a section called "R & I."   This was Records and Identification, and I believe it was staffed by police officers. This rank shield just might be something a civilian employee brought in when they were hired to do some of the work. I really don't recall that there ever was an officer tittle called Asst. Chief.

I suspect that when the current Sergeant's shield was introduced in 1957 some of the old badges became available and new titles suddenly emerged on the scene.

I thought this was certainly an unusual badge, so I put it with other items that I refer to as Newark "Uniques." It is a cool badge, and I am glad to have  it looking over my shoulder, where it tells me tall tales of my City a lifetime ago.