LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Collection of Western History #680  / 

74227

TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS SHERIFF'S BADGE -

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:6,500.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS SHERIFF'S BADGE -
<B>TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS SHERIFF'S BADGE - AUSTIN, TEXAS “30” - SET OF (2) BOUDOIR CARDS PICTURING SHERIFF R.E. WHITE WEARING THIS BADGE CIRCA 1887-1900</B></I> - <BR>This striking nickel-silver badge belonged to Sheriff R.E. White of Travis County, Texas and is accompanied by two (2) boudoir card photographs of him wearing the badge, and three notarized affidavits from former Austin Police Captain Lloyd Polk. The badge has a rich silver patina, and is shaped in an unusual eight-point star with the number “30” inside it. The badge is exceptionally well formed, very large and measures 3.1” from tip to tip around. The background is textured and a rope lines the outside. The pin is the swivel type with a large “C” catch. The engraving on the front reads, “Austin, Texas - 30 - Sheriff” which is also unusual, the significance of the number is not known. The badge is in exceptionally fine condition with no dings or scratches.<BR><BR>The cabinet cards measure 8.25” by 6.25” each, mounted on identical floral design impressed cards. The first image is the Sheriff and four other men on horseback. The man next to the Sheriff on the right is identified by Polk as noted Austin, Texas lawman John H. Mallory, while the others remain unidentified. The badge's distinctive profile is clearly visible as White is closest to the camera on the far right, and the other men wear circle-star badges. Lloyd Polk has identified the location of the image when taken as, “The stables at 4th and Guadalupe”. This image shows good contrast and tone.<BR><BR>The other image is 13 Austin, Texas lawmen standing in a line, White is wearing the badge again as he stands on the far left side. Austin City Marshal A.J. Thorp stands to the far right wearing a large suspension badge. Someone has written on the reverse in pen, “<I>Austin Police Dept. 1899 - A.J. Thorp - Rt. End - City Marshal</B></I>”. This image has a light tone when compared to the horseback image.<BR><BR>The affidavits from Lloyd Polk contain some interesting information; there is one for the badge, and both photographs, along with some family history on R.E. White. The badge affidavit states, “I later obtained a S.A. French Police Supplies Catalog dated 1887: on page 13, the exact blank is shown (eight-point star).”<BR><BR>Robert “Emmitt” White served as the Sheriff of Travis County 1888-1900, the Mayor of Austin 1901-1905, and a Travis County Judge 1909-1913. Of his six children, four became lawmen. Tom, Dudley and James “Doc” White all became Texas Rangers. (Dudley) was killed in 1918 by two Army deserters, Tom was also an FBI agent and later the Warden of Leavenworth Prison where he was badly wounded during a riot, and “Doc” served as a Texas Ranger and FBI Agent, eventually being in the shootout with “Machine Gun” Kelly and “Ma” Barker's gang. The fourth brother Coley White served as an Austin policeman and Travis County Deputy Sheriff.<BR>This is a rare, historic and important identified Texas lawman's badge.<I> From The George Jackson Collection.</B></I><BR><BR>Tise, Sammy. <B><I>Texas County Sheriff's</B></I>,</B></I> Albuquerque, N. M. Oakwood Printing, 1989.<BR><BR>Special Thanks to Lloyd Polk for his years of research into the badge and photographs.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Framed - with Glass, Medium (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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