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1938 antique JOHN B OBRIEN west springfield ma POLICE CHIEF scrapbook album
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AI-assisted research disclaimer: This description was prepared with the assistance of AI tools. While care has been taken to ensure accuracy, historical names, dates, and context should be independently reviewed by the buyer.
Offered here is a substantial 1938 congratulatory scrapbook measuring approximately 14.5 x 11.5 inches, compiled upon the appointment of JOHN B. O’BRIEN as Chief of Police of West Springfield, Massachusetts. The album is string-bound with three metal rings and contains dozens of original telegrams, signed letters, official letterhead correspondence, congratulatory cards, newspaper clippings, and a banquet photograph documenting his promotion.
The archive centers around September–October 1938 and includes:
• Numerous original telegrams (copyright 1937 Tel. Co.)
• A Social Message via Postal Telegraph from Washington, D.C.
• Multiple municipal police department congratulations (Holyoke, Ludlow, Westfield, railroad police, etc.)
• Letter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts – House of Representatives
• Major political letter from JAMES M. CURLEY (Boston mayor & Massachusetts political figure), signed on campaign letterhead
• Letters from the Passionist Monastery (West Springfield)
• Mother of Sorrows Laymen’s Retreat League (Rev. Joseph Patrick O’Neil, C.P.)
• First Congregational Church, West Springfield
• Law firms throughout Springfield
• John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance
• Springfield Safe Deposit & Trust Company
• Third National Bank & Trust
• Gilbert & Barker Manufacturing
• Strathmore Paper Company
• Eastern States Exposition
• Abbe Detective Agency
• Greater Springfield Safety Council
• Holyoke Transcript-Telegram (news editor letter)
Newspaper coverage includes:
• “Many Officials Honor New Chief During Banquet”
• “West Side’s New Police Chief Honored – Oct 4, 1938”
• “A Spectator’s View of Police Chief O’Brien’s Banquet From the Sidelines”
• Banquet photograph clipping showing civic leaders seated at table
The scrapbook remains intact in its original black heavy paper boards with three-ring binding. Condition shows age-appropriate wear:
• Surface oxidation and rubbing to covers
• Edge chipping and corner loss to boards
• Some toning and creasing to telegrams
• Newspaper clippings browned as expected
• Binding intact and stable
This is a cohesive municipal civic archive documenting the elevation of a small-town Massachusetts police chief just before World War II. It represents a rare intact snapshot of regional law enforcement, politics, clergy, business leadership, and community support in 1938.
Strong crossover appeal for collectors of:
• Massachusetts ephemera
• Police history
• Political autographs
• telegrams
• Pre-WWII Americana
• Springfield / Hampden County history
• Genealogy research
The album tells a complete story and has been preserved as assembled.
Authentic period piece related to family, historyor local heritage - well-suited for historical collections, genealogical /genealogy research, or museum acquisition.Vintage or Antique.
CONDITION: See listing description and photos.
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LOC:
LOC2: BOOKBOX45-TMKTK-F260215BDS50
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