Description:

ELLIS ISLAND INSPECTOR'S PHOTO, BADGE, AND CONFISCATED DAGGER
A great group of items from a U.S. Immigration Bureau inspector stationed at the reception facility on Ellis Island in New York Harbor, ca. 1890. Included is a note explaining: 'My Father's badge and uniform buttons. Mr. John Conkling'. Present is a photo of the senior Conkling in his uniform as inspector, 7 x 9 in. overall; his 'U.S. IMMIGRATION INSPECTOR' badge with number '18', 2.75 in. tall, the reverse bearing the maker mark of 'N. STAFFORD FULTONS N.Y.'; a brass 'USIS' uniform button, and a brass 'Canadian Pacific Railway' button, likely from an earlier job. Perhaps most interesting is a 9.75 in. long dagger with carved wood grip. It bears a period cardboard label reading: 'Taken by Gov. Em. Ins. Jno. Conklin from an Italian on the Steam Ship Italia. New York May 25th 1890. Present to J.E. Devon. A Stiletto'.

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April 2, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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