RZM Fine Arts and Antiques Inc Presents: Ask the Appraiser

Good morning, Jon. I’m requesting your assistance in possibly identifying this antique Dodge City Marshal badge. I had purchased it sometime around 1970 from an antique store in New Mexico. I had completely forgot about it until I started reading your weekly column. A bell went off in my head. So, after searching high and low I was able to find it once again. As you can see, it has a name engraved on the front. At the time of purchase, the antique dealer included the cased photograph. She indicated that one of the men pictured was Larry Deger whose name appears on the badge. Apparently, a day or two prior to me purchasing the badge, a distant family member of the Larry Deger sold it to this antique dealer, along with several other items that had belonged to him. That’s all I know. Can you please help me in identifying who this Larry Deger was? I was unable to find out any information about him. I’m also requesting the age and value of the badge itself. Honestly, I know I didn’t pay much for it back in the 1970s. No more than fifty dollars. Any suggestions on how or where to sell any item like this? Thank you in advance and please keep writing this column.

Bob

What a great piece of American frontier history. First and foremost, you possess a 100% authentic antique, silver Dodge City, Kansas Marshal badge. Because of the high-definition photographs that you supplied, I was able to carefully inspect the engravings to determine the condition of the characters. Fresh engravings have sharp edges caused by the plow action of the cutting tool creating a slight build-up of metal. In time, these sharp edges disappear due to wear and the edges of the engraving became rounded. Rounding of the engravings is evidence used to establish that they are not of recent origin. Visual examination reveals an elaborately engraved front face in the shape of a shield with the LARRY DEGER-MARSHALL-DODGE CITY-KANSAS. This badge features a five-pointed star with a small diamond set in the center. Lines radiate from the star, and “Dodge City” is in the form of a scroll. The badge exhibits very good workmanship and is artistically superb. Top quality hand work. Now as to who Larry Deger was. He was a big lawman in Dodge City, in more ways than one. At over 300 pounds Lawerence E. “Larry” Deger was literally a big lawman! And yes, that’s him, seated on the left, holding an umbrella. Larry Deger came to southwest Kansas in November 1868 as a wagon boss for none other than Lt. Col. George A. Custer. When Dodge City incorporated in November 1875, Larry Deger became its first marshal. It gets even better. In 1876 the famous Wyatt Earp served as his deputy. If space would allow, I could write a long biography on the interesting life and career of the original owner of this interesting badge. I will send to you under separate letter all the biographical information I was able to find. Finally, the value of the badge and the cased daguerreotype photograph. Collectors absolutely love identified items with strong provenance associated with them, and your marshal badge has it all. I have identified the former owner of your badge and his position in the photograph. The current market for 19th century memorabilia from the American west is quite strong, as evidenced by recent auction results. Prices are on the rise. There just isn’t enough available to satisfy the demand of collectors. Therefore, the current value of the silver Dodge City Marshal badge belonging to Larry Deger and the cased daguerreotype of said individual is $5,000 USD. Any major auction house specializing in 19th century Americana would be the proper venue to market this rare and important grouping. I will also furnish you with the auction house I regularly use.