Hat

Object number2007.178.39 a-e

OriginNew London, OH

MediumLeather; various metals; paint

Credit LineGift of Joe Davis

DescriptionHat, pair of white gloves, commemorative medal, and hat box. Flat round hat (similar to a band cap), no visor. Covered in black. Gold braid across width of top and attached at sides by two gold buttons, embossed with double-eagle symbol. Around brim: black with gold trim band. In center of band, embroidered double-eagle in shades of gold; a red triangle above image, with number in center. Inside: lined with black satin. Brown leather band on inside edge; printed into leather is maker's label. White rectangular label with black printed size. On inside top, within clear plastic envelope, green card with red screen-printed maker and product text including care instructions. Pair of white cotton gloves. Gold medal with purple ribbon. Top gold bar has embossed organizational information. Medal molded in image of double-eagle; triangle in center with number; embossed Latin text on banner below eagle. Hand-carved initials in back of medal. Round black leather hat box with leather handle. Gold zipper, with maker's name engraved on both sides of pull tab, around circumference of box to the back. Gold screen-printed initials on top.Dimensions(a) Width: 8 ; Length: 8.375; Height: 3.25
(b) W: 4.5 ; L: 8.5
(c) W: 3.5 ; L: 8.75
(d) W: 9.5 ; L: 11 ; Height: 4.125
Inscriptions(a)
On front is a red triangle with "32" in center.

(d)
Top gold bar, embossed, "ST. CYPRIAN CONSISTORY No.4 / VALLEY OF PITTSBURGH, PA."

Medal has triangle in center with "32"; embossed on banner below eagle is Latin text "SPES MEA IN DEO EST".

Hand-carved in back of medal, "AHS".

(e)
Gold screen-printed initials on top: "A.H.S."
Marks(a)
Printed label: "[image of crown] / The C.E.WARD CO. / NEW LONDON, OHIO".

Brown leather band on inside edge has maker's label printed into leather.

White rectangular label with black print, "7 1/2".

On inside top, within clear plastic envelope, green card with red screen-print, "The C.E. WARD COMPANY / A SUBSIDIARY OF CROWELL COLLIER AND MACMILLAN, INC. / NEW LONDON, OHIO / IMPORTANT / Suggestions for / CARE OF BULLION EMBROIDERY / on other side" ; opposite side has four suggestions on how to care for the embroidery on the object.

(e)
Gold zipper has maker's name engraved on both sides of pull tab.

(e)
Engraving: "SEBA".
Historical NotesArnold Herbert Smith was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. These objects are associated with his Masonic background. Arnold Herbert Smith was a Pittsburgh police officer before spending twelve years with the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Police Force. Arnold Herbert Smith, Sr., was born on October 11, 1923, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Schenley High School in 1942, and quickly enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific Theater. Three years later he married Mattie Lesesne; four children were born to this marriage. Years after his divorce to Mattie, he married Estella Pennington, with whom he had one son. Smith worked as a steelworker before joining the Pittsburgh Police Force in 1974; he eventually worked for the Housing Authority before retiring in 1986. Smith was also active in organizations, being a 32nd Degree Mason, a Shriner, and a member of both the Veterans of Foreign Affairs and the Fraternal Order of Police. He died September 19, 1999. The double-headed eagle is the emblem of the thirty-second and thirty-third (and highest) degrees of Scottish Rite Freemasonry. There exist a multitude explanations of the meaning of the two-headed eagle, from heraldic to satanic. In fact, the eagle is a symbol of the theurgic process undertaken by the masonic initiate- a symbol of a completed alchemical process.

Related institution Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

Previous owner Arnold Herbert Smith Sr. (1923 - 1999)

Related institution Freemasons

Related institution Shriners International (founded 1870)

Related institution St. Cyprian Consistory No. 4

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