Saturday, September 30, 2017

GEORGIA TO HOST PATCH & BADGE SHOW IN NORMAN PARK




4th Annual


Southeast 
Patch & Badge
Trade Show


NOVEMBER 11,  2017
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM


NORMAN PARK
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
249 W. WEEKS ST.
NORMAN PARK, GA.

Call (229) 873-0278  or 769-3611
(Norman Park PD)


Registration Fee   $15.  per Table


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Wednesday, September 20, 2017

ORLANDO SHOW IS ANOTHER SUCCESS


Doug Sarrubi, and his "Partner " John Holmes, have once again staged another successful "Badge and Patch" Show. The Orlando Show was held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, located in the heart of Florida's number one Vacation Location. That's Doug and John guard Ballroom B.



This year my Grandson, Cameron accompanied me. I told him it would be fun, and we would go to the Space Museum after the show. The truth is I needed help beyond the Bionic Improvements that let me move. Cam's primary job was to walk the floor and sell this fine Cleveland Police Coat. That's us below with the fine coat that, sad to say "I Still Own."







We had a few tables set up for my Exhibit. The wife, Lois,  and I placed our displays against the Starboard Wall of The Ballroom. I felt like I was in the Movie Business, being a Producer and Director. Can you hear me softly saying: "Put that over on the first table,  move those floor panels, be careful with that display case!." When we were finished, Cecil B. DeMille gave us a nice thumbs up. 

For the first time I  displayed a huge show case of those popular old badges that every Police Force used at one time or another. In this case I have 60 badges of every thing but Newark. A lot of the guys liked it which certainly made me happy. Next to it is a display of the Top Ten Cities (by population). Take a look below.



There were about 100 people showing and selling items at the various tables this year. That's a fabulous turn out. As usual I took my camera and snapped some pictures of those displays that caught my eye.

Just a few tables away from my exhibit was my old friend Chad Harris of Jacksonville PD. This year he had an awesome collection of items from the Jacksonville Sheriff, as well a New Orleans Display he created "for my wife."  He added some military memorabilia to insure his claim to be the Winner of BEST BADGE DISPLAY at this years Show. Here is our proud young Man - Chad Harris, with his wife and our Show Sponsors.



As I strolled around the crowded floor, leaving my display in the trusty hands of my wife Lois, and the Kid, I saw some wonderful items that I just had to take a picture of for memory sake. Here are a couple that "I just happened to like". I hope you guys enjoy these pictures.








The man pictured above should look familiar. It's Dick Tracy the famous Detective from decades ago. He sure looks good !  I let his nose point me in the direction of another great Display.

Pete Reid is of Bushnell FL. He is a long time attendee of this Show. This year he wowed everyone with big displays from: Maine, New Jersey; and the Illinois State Police. I was impressed with the NJ Sheriff's Badges. Pete's display was so great it won him the honor of being the winner of "THE BEST PATCH" display. Below is the picture of winner Mr Peter Reid. Holmes and Sarubbi are right there too.

 



I walked further through the displays and saw what looked like the wall of an Antique Store. It had everything that was old, that was hard to find, and that was just plain treasure.

The man that owned this massive display was Jeff Peeler of St Cloud, FL. He has a primary interest in Florida Highway Patrol. As a Major he might have good connections with this agency. Bottom Line Major Peeler is the Winner of the "BEST OVERALL DISPLAY." He was hard to find for a picture, but my friends in the Blue shirts caught him. Take a peek below.





This years Show, as in the past held a Patch Drop for interested collectors. The Winner, who received 40 patches, was Robert Popik from Lakeland Fl.  Unfortunately Bob was not available when I took the pictures of the Winners.

Well your writer left the Show and headed back to home (With one diversion) in Naples Fl. to check on a girl named Irma. Fortunately she was nice enough to spare my home, my collection, and my wishes to see everyone next year.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

TOP COP COLLECTION: BERLIN



*****

BERLIN is the third badge in my "TOP COP COLLECTION."

This has been in my possession for over 30 years, but off the radar as a collectible until now. With the creation of my "Top Cop display this Berlin Borough Public Safety Director finally has a place to be displayed.

The history of this Borough dates back to Pre-Revolutionary times. It was situated on New Jerseys West Side, between Camden and Philadelphia. Those cities were the population locations then and now. Today there are roughly 7500 people in this community, which officially became a borough in 1927.

A good deal of this community is rural, wooded, and wet lands. The residential section has mainly Victorian homes that have been restored, or just well kept. Looks like a nice place. A bit too far for me to have any memories. Maybe I'll ask Kelly Ripa who once upon a time lived here.

Now to the Badge. Not a common shape for NJ badges. There is an Eagle on top with its' wings spread looking down on a wreath that trims a big circle. Inside is a large ring, and two panels,  The State Seal is at center point and dates back to the 1930's.

Looking first at the Seal, one will see this is a blue ringed seal. It gives one an idea of the age of this badge. It was probably applied to the badge between 1930 and 1960. A close look reveals that it is in excellent condition.           

Next look at the panels. The top reads Deputy Director, and the bottom reads NJ. Last the ring. It reads: Public Safety; Berlin Borough.

As noted above I have found a nice place for this badge in my new "TOP COP Display. I get a peek at it every day hanging proudly, under glass, on the wall facing my desk. I'm Proud to have them all.  

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

TOP COP COLLECTION: ANDOVER


*****

ANDOVER is the second badge in my "TOP COP COLLECTION."  

I have had it several years. An uncle gave it to me after moving from Andover to Florida. His home was very close to Police HQ on Lake Iliffe Rd. He moved in the mid 80's and gave it to me at the start of this millennium.

Andover is just like Florida. Farming that is. In the Garden State big red tomatoes were all over the landscape particularly on the farms in Sussex County. It's the same thing here in Florida only the plants are taller and the fruit is Orange. Florida too has more Cows then NJ, if your interested.

The Township has a population around 6000 people living on just under 20,000 square miles. In the old days the area of Andover Twp. was rural. It was picked in the 1930's by a German Nationalist Group to create their headquarters which they called Camp Nordland. 

In the camp's HQ,  propaganda supporting the Nazi's, was passed along to their members. They existed as a malignancy in an otherwise beautiful area.  In 1939 the local Sheriff, Denton Quick, closed the camp for good. That made big news at the time.

Today the Old Barn that was HQ is now part of  Township Property, and is watched over by a 12 man full time police force. Today there is no talk about Camp Norland. It has faded from memory. Today's residents are often surprised, when told about the camps existence on their turf.

This particular shield is a product of the 1970's (I think). The multi color seal was introduced to NJ badges in the early 1970's, so that is one indicator of age. The shape is of the one worn by NY Police Captains. It is not a shape that has large use in NJ.  Even though I like it. This "CHIEF"  is a nice fit for this collection where it becomes the second badge displayed.

Monday, July 31, 2017

LAST CALL FOR ORLANDO SHOW


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017
ROSEN PLAZA HOTEL 9700 INTERNATIONAL DR. ORLANDO

CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE TOURIST DISTRICT. CLOSE TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, SEA WORLD, WALT DISNEY WORLD AND TWO WORLD-CLASS OUTLET MALLS.
EASY ACCESS TO ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, I-4 AND THE FL. TURNPIKE.


85 TABLES ARE AVAILABLE AT $30.00 EA.
SET-UP BEGINS AT 7:30 AM, THE SHOW OPENS AT 9AM.
A SPECIAL ROOM RATE OF $97 IS AVAILABLE FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS.
CALL 1-800-627-8258 FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS.
PLEASE MENTION THE “OCSO-Doug Sarubbi-VACATION CAPITAL POLICE SHOW” BY NAME.
FREE ON-SITE PARKING FOR ATTENDEES & GUESTS.
Awards will be presented for Best Badge, Best Patch and Best Overall Display. Admission is $3.00

FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
DOUG SARUBBI at sarubb@aol.com OR CALL
DAY: 407-351-9368 NIGHT: 407-297-1232

Co-Hosts: Ron Bartholome and John Holmes
Please confirm reservations by mailing payment to:
Doug Sarubbi, 4023 Salmon Dr. Orlando, FL 32835

Friday, July 14, 2017

TOP COP COLLECTION: ABSECON




This is a newer collection that I put together starting out a few years ago. The focus is on the top job in as many agencies as I could locate. I now have twenty, and have put them in a display box listing badges in alphabetical order.

ABSECON is the first of my TOP COP COLLECTION. I have had this badge over twenty years and just thought of it as a political boss' badges. That may be accurate but I never checked.

Absecon itself is a City, and is around six square miles in area. Some of that is under water. The population is around 8000. The population might go higher between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That is when the "Shore Season" has the city open for business.

Although this community became a City over 100 years ago it has remained off the radar for the last 30 + years. One's attention for the most part goes to the neighboring community of Atlantic City. 

For some (probably political) reason the police force in Absecon requires a Superintendent. This badge was issued for that tittle many years ago. It is styled after the New York Police Captains' Badge. This writer likes the design with the five "points" and blue lettering.

Because Absecon is a City, I originally included in my City Collection. Technically it is a City, but is so small it really does not fit with my interest for large NJ Cities. That fact helped give birth to my new collection - The Top Cop Collection. This is my first display item.

Look for similar articles in the future. 

Thursday, June 22, 2017

STABLE SUPERVISOR, EARLY 1900's


This unique badge has been with me over 30 years. In my little museum at home, I have placed it with other badges that are not quite "Newark Police," but are related in many ways. This relationship is unique. I have a few different shields that fit in this category, but this item is the nicest. 

First lets' take a look at the center point of the badge. That is the "City Seal" of the City of Newark. If you are not familiar with Newark's Seal, you can check the ring around it. For clarification it reads: City of Newark over New Jersey.  The Seal is rare and is not on true Newark items unless someone authorized use of the special City Seal.

In the primary panel the words are: Department of Public Works. On the bottom panel is the title Supervisor Stable. Well, even if you think the title on this badge to be only some horse manure, this is a very nice badge.

lets note that this early 1900 badge is gold-tone and has very nice features. Note the twin wreaths on the sides and the Castle with Twin Turrets on top. This badge appears to have been made for someone with political stature. 

The job, and the Stables themselves were linked to Newark Police too. While the job relates to the City Stables in Branch Brook (A County) Park. This was the home of Newark's Mounted Squad's horses.

During my father's career he rode on the mounted squad for a couple of years. I don't think he ever saw this badge, but I have to imagine it would be a unique  interest to him. That is my father on Ginger, in 1929.



The items below are a matching set of breast badge and hat badge that belonged to my Father. If you have a good eye, you will see the number corresponds with the number in the picture. The Hat Badge is in the shape of the City Seal which while smaller is dead center of the Stable Supervisor badge.