Just one great story on top of another! Is the badge selling out of Chicago? If there's anything I can do (I know not likely) from IL to assist let me know.

 

Rob,

Its in Palos Park, somewhere just outside of Chicago. There is more to the story. The seller is listing a total of 8 Chicago badges, 3 of which are a Fire Patrol set belonging to a retired/ deceased Patrolman. The man's name was Jeremiah Bresnahan. I know his grandson and immediately called him about the badge set.
He didn't know it was for sale. Another family member who is no longer is speaking to the family, had the badges. He will be trying to buy the set of badges and I really hope he gets them!!

Here are some links to the C of P LT badges that I want and the Patrol badge.


eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

That's a shame! No one deserves those badges more than you. Your grandfather actually wore one of the two badges. The owner of the badges should understand that, but greed takes over any rational thinking. I bet there's a reason why that person shunned themselves from the rest of the family of the deceased patrolman. It's really a shame!

I hope you can get get the badges. If it were me, I'd seriously think about getting the money somehow. I'm sure that these badges won't depreciate, especially since there's only a few of them in existence.

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Its a real shame when those inter family squabbles blow way out of proportion like that. People are strange sometimes.
I sure hope that they find a way into your hands. Thats where they belong

Bobby

 

Ilya,

I am going to do what I can to get them. I emailed the person selling the badges again and asked if she could at least ask the owner is she would take $1200 for the pair.

Waiting on a response ...

 

I hope the owner of the badges accepts your offer. I know you'll keep us updated.

 

Here is the response so far:

Hi Keith,
Thanks for your generous offer. Now that they all have bids, I would not feel right about stopping the Auction. However, I really believe that you will be the highest bidder at that number. I think that you might even get them for less. But I will definitely run the number by her (since it is her decision) and tell her your situation. What was your grandfather's name? I will try to find out for you.
Marilyn

 

I use esnipe and it has never failed me.

 

I GOT THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

That's great news!!!! So, I'm guessing they accepted your offer or did they take less? I hope you're not second guessing yourself now about possibly getting them for less by bidding on eBay. Either way, they're in your hands (soon to be) and as long as you feel comfortable for the price you paid, then you should be happy.

 

Keith that's awesome! Happy for you man!

 

She accepted my offer. No regrets as I know it would of went for more money because the last C of P firefighter badge (38 issued) went for $900

Like I said before this was bad timing because I need $ to finish the truck but I just had to do it and it worked out.

About 7 years ago I was able to purchase on ebay an original C of P firefighter helmet. A man was selling a large collection of worlds fair items and I mean hundreds of items. He had photos of 4 or 5 display cases full of stuff but I noticed the helmet in one and contacted him about buying it separately. He refused to break up the collection even after I told him my story about my grandfather being a member of the Fire Department. His buy it now price was 15k. It ended with no bidders so he relisted it for $18k. Yes, more money so I assumed he was just showing off his collection. Again it ended with no bidders and the price went up again to 20K, no joke. I called him on the phone and sent him a letter with pictures of my grandfather and he still refused. About 2 months go by when he calls he offering me first shot at the helmet. Lets just say it was more that the badges.

There are only 3 helmets in existance that I know of. A friend has one and the other is in a Chicago Museum so anything from this Fire Department is so rare.

The worlds fair administration hired a famous photographer to take photos of the firemen. I have original copies of some of these that my grandfather had purchased. About 2 years ago the daughter of the photographer was selling copies from the original negatives and I was able to buy a copy of a photo of my grandfather that no one in my family had seen before. In my book on the Fire Patrol, I have a section in the back about the history of the Fair Fire Department. These photos are copyrighted so I had to pay a fee to use them in my book. I wish I could post some of them because they are really cool.

 

Guys again thanks for your support and well wishes!!

 

I am out of words Keith.

 

I don't think that this epic project can get any better. I am happy for you.