Stunning WWII vintage gilt and silver Kid leather bullion wire embroidered New York State Maritime Academy Officer’s Visor Cap eagle on black mohair cap band.
Eagle with detailed head including distinctive open beak with red cloth tongue, black cloth eye, features wings crafted from solid silver kid leather and anchors in gilt kid leather, meticulously appliquéd to create a high-relief, three-dimensional effect. Eagle is over a detailed gilt embroidered New York State seal with olive drab green background with black thread details.
Classic technique used only on the highest quality military heraldic bullion patches.
This is the style used from 1941-1949.
History of the New York State Maritime Academy was founded in 1873 as the New York Nautical School, SUNY Maritime College is the oldest institution of its kind in the United
States. Its first training vessel was the USS St. Mary's, acquired in 1874. The school evolved from a grammar school into a professional academy, moving to its permanent, land-based campus at Fort Schuyler in Throggs Neck in 1938.
During World War II, the academy was critical to the war effort, operating as the New York State Maritime Academy. It accelerated its training programs to urgently supply commissioned officers to the U.S. Merchant Marine, which was vital for transporting troops and matériel.
In 1946, the academy was granted the authority to confer college degrees. It was then incorporated into the new State University of New York (SUNY) system in 1948, adopting its current name, SUNY Maritime College, in 1949.
This is a truly premium, museum-quality example of the highest grade of bullion insignia made during the WWII period. The use of kid leather and the incredible 3D detail make this a masterpiece of the craft.
This item ships from our location in Arizona, USA. It is not shipped by a third-party fulfillment partner. We carefully package and handle every item ourselves to ensure it arrives safely.