Original Owner
George H. Purser
(American, born England, 1810 – 1889)
Stave-of-office
1835–1842
Place madeNew York, United States, North America
Wood, silk, metal, paint
Overall: 2 in. × 25 1/8 in. (5.1 × 63.8 cm)
Gift of George Henry Stegmann
1923.50
This stave-of-office was carried by the donor's grandfather, George H. Purser (1810-1889), in the Croton Water Celebration Parade in 1842. The October 22 issue of the Dollar Weekly declared that the event was the “greatest jubilee that New York or America has ever boasted—a jubilee in commemoration of the greatest blessing that a city like New York could receive—the introduction of an abundant supply of pure and wholesome water.” The highlight of this issue is the 16-inch wide engraving across the front page that illustrates the “great procession celebrating the introduction of the Croton water into the city of New York.” Photography was not in widespread use in 1842 so there are very few images depicting the jubilee parade.
DescriptionWooden stave-of-office with carved and painted flame at the top, set above baluster shaped area, velvet covered at the center, velvet secured to the baton with metal thumbtacks, the bottom area is plain an rounded at the end.ClassificationsPOLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
