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CA - Bodie,Mono County - c1926 - Bodie Constable Badge

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Western Americana Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
CA - Bodie,Mono County - c1926 - Bodie Constable Badge
Session D is a Mail-Bid Only Auction. Absentee bids will be accepted only. No live bidding will be allowed. All winners will be contacted after the auction. BIDDING ENDS MONDAY JUNE 27 AT 5PM PACIFIC TIME!!!
Ornately engraved and enameled seven point sterling silver "law" badge with "CONSTABLE" stamped across the top and "BODIE" across the bottom, highlighted in blue enamel. On the bottom left of the reverse is stamped "Irvine & Jachens, 1068 Mission St. S.F.," "Sterling" is at the bottom center, and the numbers "12 7 26" are at the lower right. We spoke to a company representative of Irvine and Jachens, who firmly told us that the date shown indicates specifically when the piece was produced, or "hallmarked." That practice was later dropped. We believe this badge was made for D.J. McDonnell, who in Proceedings, Board of Supervisors, F, Mono County, was recorded as having received 24 votes for "Constable, Bodie Twp" The following page noted "Precinct Vote Only, Primary Election Held August 31, 1926." Copies of these pages are included in the lot, with a big thank you to Linda Romero from the Mono County Clerk/Recorders Office for her invaluable aid in finding this information. No other Mono County election results were noted for 1927 or 1928, which suggests this badge was made and designated to be worn by the winner of this election, held 8/31, taking office January 1, 1927, and held that office for at least another year.

The badge's manufacturer, Irvine and Jachens, began making police badges and metal tags in 1886 at Kearny and Market in San Francisco. After the business was destroyed by the earthquake and fire in 1906, the firm rebuilt on the 2100 block of Market Street, later moving to 1027 Market. In 1926, the year this piece was created, the firm moved to the address printed on the reverse, staying there for the next 24 years.