POLICE BADGE / SHIELD - LETTERPRESS PRINTER'S BLOCK - RARE / UNUSUAL ITEM, US $22.99 – Picture 0

POLICE BADGE / SHIELD - LETTERPRESS PRINTER'S BLOCK - RARE / UNUSUAL ITEM, US $22.99 – Picture 1

POLICE BADGE / SHIELD - LETTERPRESS PRINTER'S BLOCK - RARE / UNUSUAL ITEM, US $22.99 – Picture 2

Police Badge / Shield - Letterpress Printer's Block - Rare / Unusual Item

US $22.99

Dayton, Ohio, United States
Jan 29th

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POLICE BADGE / SHIELD. PRINTER'S BLOCK, RARE / UNUSUAL ITEM Lead and Wooden Printing Block. NOTE: If you want to purchase a piece of law enforcement history, don't buy an image ripped out of some magazine or newspaper. Instead, buy the printing block that printed the actual image! Prior to the digital age, books, posters, tickets, forms, newspapers, and other types of printed paper were produced on a printing press. Movable type and wooden / metal printing blocks (also known as a letterpress cut or printing dies) were set in a frame (known as a chase) and ink was rolled over the surface of the metal image with a roller (also known as a brayer) before the paper was pressed into the inked surface. This process was known as relief printing which included woodcut, relief etching, linocut, linotype, and metal cut. You are purchasing a rather unusual printing block intended for use in a printing press to print police department stationary, letterhead or advertising. The main shield / badge appears on this block; however, the name of the particular department does not. The name of the police department(s) would have been on a second block and likely been printed within the "banner" on the shield (the blank band located above the word "POLICE"). In this fashion, this letterpress block could be used for numerous departments. This wood and metal letterpress printing block measures 0.925" deep by 1.97" high by 1.42" wide and weighs approximately 3.4 ounces (95 grams). This stamp is a professionally made, letterpress block used for printing. It shows some surface wear from being in the press. Based upon the other blocks within the group and this block's composition, this block is believed to have been produced and used during the 1960s. Although you will be receiving the entire wood and metal printing block, the images you are looking at are high-resolution images of just the block's metal printing surface (so that you can see the considerable detail). ABOUT THE IMAGE: The police badge or "shield." The police badge - known in some departments as the shield, chest piece, or tin - is the outward symbol of a police offi cer’s legal status and entitlement. It is symbolic of the authority vested in that individual by the public. The badge and other parts of the police officer’s uniform are vestiges of the armor worn by government warriors centuries ago. The badge’s history can be traced back to two pieces of armor: The handheld shield used to deflect blows and the chest plating intended to protect the warrior’s chest from penetration. The shield often displayed the heraldry and symbols of the warrior’s lord or head of state, just as today’s badges reflect symbols of the officer’s municipality, county, or state. (Credit to "An Introduction to Policing, 5ht Edition" © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning - - which cites "Police Chief," September 1988, p. 66). This rare letterpress printing block makes a perfect gift for yourself, your coffee or end table, on your desk at work, on a shelf, or in your collection. It also makes a fantastic gift (no one else is going to give this as a gift!). Given the advent of digital printing and the copyrighted nature of this image, the likelihood of ever finding another one of these metal & wood blocks - with this image - is slim at best. There is little doubt that friends who see it will pick it up and ask "Where did you find such an unusual item?" This item can also be used for impressionning clay or ceramics prior to firing - as well as printing. NOTES ABOUT THE IMAGE SURFACE: Every time a die passes through the printing press, the pressure of the die's impression on the paper subtly degrades the surface of the plate/die/block. Please see the photo if you have any questions regarding the suitability of this block if you actually intend to use it for printing. IMAGE CORRECTION / ADJUSTMENT: One of this listing's photographs has been intentionally reversed. In that photograph, the image is a "mirrored image" so that you can see what the image would look like when it was printed (as well as read the text). The printing block you will receive will be what is known in the printing industry as "wrong reading," which means that when you hold the block in your hand and look at it, the image is reversed. DISCOUNTS: Effective July 2011, eBay started collecting an 11% surcharge on the amount buyers pay for postage. We have never "gouged" our buyers on postage or shipping -and- we have never charged a "handling fee." In fact, we usually "broke even" or lost a little money on shipping. Under eBay's new rules, if a seller's actual postage cost is $1.25, eBay now "dings" the seller a .14? (11%) "postage surcharge" resulting in another loss. Effective June 1, 2012, eBay terminated many seller's 20% "final value credit" because sellers were unable to meet eBay's shipping criteria of shipping within 24 hours (orders placed on Saturday afternoon couldn't possibly be shipped until at least Monday, etc.). Sellers counted on this small "refund" which added to the bottom line. As we could only guarantee 24-hour shipping 6-days a week, we lost this credit too. Inasmuch, WE DO NOT feel it's fair to pass eBay's surcharges along to our buyers - so we have simply removed the various discounts we previously offered our buyers. We sincerely apologize for this - - - however eBay left us with two choices: Increase your cost by passing along their surcharges or remove our discounts. We chose the latter. WARRANTY and/or RETURNS: This letterpress block is subject to individual interpretation. We have made every effort to list the information and condition as accurately as possible: Thus, no warranty or returns on this item. HOW FAST IT'S GOING TO GET TO YOU: As soon as PayPal notifies us that your payment has been posted, your item will be packaged, labeled, and readied for shipping. Shipping is usually the same day or next day. We don't like to wait on our items to be mailed - so we're guessing you don't either. Don't have a PayPal account? Feel free to contact us to see if other arrangements can be made (we're pretty easy to get along with). INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: This printing block WILL SHIP INTERNATIONALLY to many countries. If you're willing to pay the shipping cost to have this printing block sent overseas, we're happy to ship it to you. We will complete the United States Custom's Form required to ship this item to your country - you are responsible for any import costs, taxes, duties, tariffs, or fees associated with the receiving country (i.e. your country). The United States Custom's Form requires you include a telephone number in your country where you can be reached if you are using a post office box. The United States Custom's Form will indicate the contents as: "Printing Materials." Please be certain your country is one of the countries we ship to by using the pull down "Ships to" menu. Due to problems with theft by customs / mail officials, credit card fraud and high postal non-delivery rates, we have blocked certain countries from purchasing. If your country isn't listed, you will need to contact us to see if we can make arrangements. International shipping requires you pay with Pay-Pal. SHIPPING and HANDLING COST: There is no excessive "padding" with this item's shipping and handling. It ships United States First Class Mail -or- Priority Mail -or- Parcel Select Mail -or- Media Mail to your United States address. It ships United States First Class International Mail -or- United States Priority Mail International to your foreign address. Foreign addresses will incur an additional $1.00 processing charge for completing the United States Custom's Form required to ship this item internationally. INSURABLE?: eBay’s policy changed in 3rd Quarter 2009, (which previously allowed buyers the option of selecting and paying for coverage for their purchases). Thus, this item is not insurable. We don't make the policies, we simply have to try to keep up with them. Given the block's wood and metal composition - coupled with our packaging techniques - the likelihood of breakage or damage in transit is minimal. SECURITY FEATURE: The photographs posted on eBay contain digital watermarks to reduce fraud. These watermarks are not on the actual item - only the photographs. In addition, the photos will contain an inventory number to assist in locating the exact item in the inventory. FAVORITE SELLER: Please, take a moment to peek at our other items AND mark this store as one of your favorites - - - so that you can come back and visit another time - - - even if you're not buying anything today. We enjoy locating and reselling oddities, offbeat pieces, thought-provoking Great Depression items, extraordinary and unique curiosities. Anyone can shop at Super MonsterMart. We sell yesterday's curiosities - to today's collectors and investors. I DON'T LIKE THAT PRICE: As a general rule, we affix a price we believe is reasonable. If you don't like the price you see, contact us to see if we can barter a price that's more agreeable to you. The item listed here is intended to make a small profit for us and provide a historical opportunity and enjoyment to you. WE'RE ALWAYS BUYING BLOCKS!: Over the years, we've had many people contact us wondering if we'd like to by their collection of letterpress wood & lead printing blocks. We are ALWAYS looking to acquire more - - - so if you'd like to sell your collection, please, feel free to contact us - - - we'd love to hear from you! CHILD SAFETY NOTICE: This item is a lead based item, (its metal content is mostly lead and/or other semi-soft metals). Lead is known to be toxic to children if handled or ingested.

Condition	Used : An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.
Seller Notes	“Please see the listing description and photographs for any conditional issues.”