Nice 1930's - 40's Chicago Health Inspector Badge in Great Condition

Nice 1930's - 1940's Chicago Health Inspector Badge. Chicago created its first Board of Health in response to a massive cholera outbreak in the early 1850's but by 1867 the board had been dismantled. The board was reinstated permanently in 1876 after the fire of 1871, which left almost 100,000 people homeless and created a variety of health concerns, including the return of cholera. The board was involved with health education, licensing, and the construction of clinical programs, milk regulations to the prevention and treatment of venereal disease (a heightened concern after WWI). In the mid-fifties, Chicago became one of the first cities in the United States to introduce the Salk vaccine, and instituted mass inoculations within the following year. The badge features a white enameled disc featuring a red enameled cross, the lettering that surrounds it reads: "BOARD OF HEALTH CHICAGO" and is numbered "1582" at the bottom of the badge and was made by C. H. Hanson Co. in Chicago.

Circa 1930's – 1940's

Approximately 2 ¼" x 1 ¾

Nickel plated brass, paint, and enamel.

Vertical kick pin with drop in swivel locking catch.

"C. H. HANSON CO. CHICAGO"

This is from a police and law enforcement collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. MGEX15 LAHEX4/15 SLBDEX8/16 SBBEX8/16

8+ (Excellent): Badge shows light to moderate surface wear and a few tiny spots of oxidation, mostly on reverse. Nearly all of the plating, painted, and enamel details remain fully intact, overall great condition!

As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.