Portrait of Police Officer Patrick J. Sheehan, 1896

01

Artifact Overview

Growing American urban centers spurred the creation of modern police departments in the mid-1800s. By the end of the century, most police officers wore military-type uniforms and badges to help citizens easily identify them. This cabinet card shows Patrick Sheehan decked out in his uniform. Friends and family usually exchanged cabinet cards, sometimes adding a personal greeting on the back.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Cabinet photograph

Subject Date

23 September 1896

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

94.117.11

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Cardboard

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 6.5 in
Width: 4.25 in

Inscriptions

front, printed: L.S. Batterson 630 Third Ave. 2nd Door from 18th St. Brooklyn, N.Y. verso, handwritten: Compliments of Patrick J. Sheehan Sept. 23rd 1896 Born January 12th 1862 address 355 18th Street Brooklyn, N.Y.