An Illustrated History of Decorated Truncheons & Tipstaves By Alan C. Cook

There is a new book just released for those of you interested in collecting other forms of Police equipment. I have not yet received my copy as it is fresh off the press, but no doubt it will be THE book to have if collecting these items. I know there is some interesting information on William Parker, John Field and Sons who supplied handcuffs and other police equipment to the London Police, Gaols (jails) and those in other Counties of the UK. Contact Alan for overseas postage costs.

Paul

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TRUNCHEONS
AN UNEQUAL MATCH
An Illustrated History of Decorated Truncheons & Tipstaves
By
Alan C. Cook
In the days before organised police forces the parish constable was responsible for the enforcement of law and order. Without the benefit of a uniform his staff was decorated to act as a symbol of his authority. Starting in the mid 18th century this fascinating study examines the development of truncheons and tipstaves over a period of nearly two centuries. The idea of a constable being armed with nothing more than a truncheon has been one of the enduring images of policing in the United Kingdom. There were times, however, when the protection this offered was woefully inadequate and one such occasion occurred in September 1881 when Police Constable Frederick Atkins was fatally shot while investigating a burglary. The public outcry that followed this brutal murder was led by the magazine Punch who included the cartoon An Unequal Match in its October edition. The message was simple, if you are going to pit the police against armed criminals then they needed to be armed with more than 18 inches of mop handle. This book not only illustrates many rare items never previously published but gives a detailed history of the context in which they were used.

The first major work on truncheons and tipstaves in over 29 years
212 pages - containing images of over 250 truncheons and tipstaves - illustrated in colour
Available in paperback and a limited edition hardback
Printed in A4 format on 130 gsm silk pages to ensure the best quality reproduction of images
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Prices:
£25 paperback - £48 hardback + £8 postage (2nd class signed for) & packing to UK
(This is a heavy book and will be posted in a top quality book wrap to ensure safe arrival)
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Cheques to be made payable to Alan Cook
2 Toga Close, Colchester, Essex CO2 9JJ

PayPal
alan@truncheon.org.uk
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For further details (including overseas postage) please contact Alan Cook:
alan@truncheon.org.uk or call 01206 571356 / 07957 803800
www.truncheon.org.uk

Hi Paul:

Thanks for the reference.

I have long admired tipstaves, but never knew much about them.

From what little I've looked at them, I supposed they were an abbreviated version of a beadle's staff, that later was simplified into a truncheon. A symbol of authority from olden times that degenerated into a mere billy club.

Franklin