Previous Reference Books

Anyone interested in truncheons and tipstaves will soon discover that little has previously been published. Unlike other subjects where reference works are in ready supply the collector of truncheons and tipstaves has three main works to refer to. I have listed these below in the order of which they were published.

One general note I would like to make about all of these books is that unlike many reference works written today they do not state the source of their information, meaning that few if any of the assertions made can be checked for accuracy. It is standard practice now to include footnotes on sources so they can be checked and allow further research to be carried out. The danger is that what has been printed in these books is now taken as fact when sometimes we should be challenging the points made and trying to push the boundaries of our knowledge.

This is an important point to remember when buying pieces for your collection, especially where someone is trying to tell you what some initials stand for. I have witnessed many occasions where a seller has tried to enhance an item by coming up with a plausible title. One of the most imaginative was many years ago when a truncheon sold at auction in London with the initials 'H.M.R.T.' on it. This item was later sold at a much inflated price because it was sold as being for 'Her Majesty's Royal Train'. My point is that whilst there are some things we have to take at face value, others should be challenged.

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Truncheons
Their Romance and Reality

By Erland Fenn Clark (MA Oxon)

Published by Herbert Jenkins Limited in 1935

This book is 242 pages long and contains approximately 100 plates illustrating more than 500 pieces. The style of the book is in the form of a catalogue with one page listing the items which corresponds to the photo on the page opposite. As one of the main keys to truncheon collecting is seeing and handling objects this book is invaluable because of the many pictures. Unfortunately due to the limits of photography at the time some of the pictures do not do justice to the objects.

This book is of great value to the collector and does contain other interesting snippets into the life of the author about how he started collecting and his family background. It can still be found at auctions or via specialist book sellers.

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The History of Truncheons

By E. R. H. Dicken, F.R.G.S.

Published by Arthur H. Stockwell, Limited, Devon in 1952

This book is 136 pages long and contains 27 black and white plates of approximately 150 truncheons. This is a small, but very informative book. It is divided into chapters which each deal with a specific category of truncheon collecting. The pictures are of good quality and he has only used the finest examples to illustrate. It is obvious from this and Fenn Clark's book that they were obviously friends as some of the truncheons appear in both books.

In my experience this book is more difficult to find than Fenn Clark's and good copies should be highly prized.

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The Policeman's Lot
Antique British Police Equipment including Truncheons and Tipstaves

By Mervyn Mitton

Published by Quiller Press in 1985

This book is 165 pages long and contains numerous colour pictures of many fine and interesting truncheon and tipstaves. The strength of this book is in the pictures as the accompanying text whilst interesting is very general, making it appealing to a wide audience as opposed to just collectors. In addition to his own collection Mitton has used examples from other large collections such as Bramshill and the Museum of London.

Again this book can be found through specialist book sellers.