Images(7)

Badge, Membership

Object number2018.8.3 a-d

Manufacturer Heeren Brothers and Company (founded 1867)

Date1917

OriginPittsburgh, PA

MediumBronze(?); Metal; Fabric; Paper; Adhesive; Ink; Satin

Credit LineGift of Edward Feinstein

DescriptionMetal and fabric membership badge. Badge is comprised of a black and gold vertically striped ribbon with inverted "V" bottom edge and pinback on reverse at top. Second matching ribbon hangs from top supporting suspended bronze-colored medallion. Medallion has shallow relief of the Pittsburgh Coat of Arms with arched text above; reverse has engraved text at center surrounded by wreath of leaves. Original gray rectangular paperboard box with interior lined with off-white satin.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a): 4.375 x 1.375 x 0.313 in. (11.1 x 3.5 x 0.8 cm)
Length x Width x Depth (b-d): 4.75 x 2.75 x 0.625 in. (12.1 x 7 x 1.6 cm)
Length x Width x Depth (b): 4.75 x 2.688 x 0.5 in. (12.1 x 6.8 x 1.3 cm)
Length x Width x Depth (c): 4.75 x 2.75 x 0.313 in. (12.1 x 7 x 0.8 cm)
Length x Width x Depth (d): 4.5 x 2.5 x 0.313 in. (11.4 x 6.4 x 0.8 cm)
Inscriptions(a)
Front of medallion has raised arched text along top edge "CITY OF PITTSBURGH".

Reverse of medallion has engraved text at center "I. KALSON / 3.22.17. / MATT / WORK".
Marks(a)
Reverse of medallion has imprinted text along bottom edge at center "HEERENBROS&CO. / PITTSBURGH, PA".

(c)
Interior of lid has black text printed at center "HEEREN BROS. & CO. / MANUFACTURING JEWELERS / PITTSBURGH, PA."
Historical NotesPittsburgh badge with original box. Part of a collection related to Isadore Kalson. Isadore Kalson (1896-1980) worked in his youth for Rauh Bros. & Co. He served in World War I with the 52nd Infantry, Sixth Division. He was a charter member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Corp. H. O. Diller Post No. 156, Mt. Washington and was elected VFW Allegheny County Commander in 1934, becoming the first Jewish person to hold the post. He later worked in city government and ran successfully in a close race against Richard Mellon Scaife for Republican Party Chair. He lived in Oakland and Squirrel Hill in his later years. Isadore's father, Harry Kalson, immigrated to Pittsburgh in 1891. He was later joined by brothers Nathan Kalson, David Kalson, Samuel Kalson, Mrs. L. Moll, Mrs. Ida Becker and Mrs. Anna Brinn. He worked as a plumbing and building contractor and later ran the Profit Sharing Laundry Co. with his sons. He was the proprietor of Kalson’s Natatorium, a popular bath house in the Hill District. Kalson was active in Republican politics and served a term on the Common Council in 1905. He was president of Tifrerth Israel Congregation for nine years under the tenure of Rabbi Eliyahu Kochin. He was a founder of the United Hebrew Orthodox Congregations of Western Pennsylvania and its president in 1923 and 1924. He was also a founder of the Hebrew Religious Academy at 81-83 Tannehill Street. He was active in many Jewish philanthropies, including the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, Keren Hayesod and Montefiore Hospital, as well as many fraternal lodges. Harry Kalson and his wife Hinda Libbe Horwitz Kalson had at least eight children: Dr. Abraham Maurice Kalson, Samuel H. Kalson, Isadore Kalson, Robert Kalson, Ralph Kalson, William Kalson, Jacob E. Kalson and Ruth Kalson. Jacob E. Kalson was the assistant district attorney

Previous owner Isadore Kalson (1896 - 1980)

Related institution Rauh Brothers and Company

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