R. HEASLEY & CO. (curved) / NEW YORK on an 1843 Braided Hair large cent. Brunk H-437, Rulau NY-2202. Host coin Very Good. Robert Heasley was a locksmith and undertaker (a strange combination of vocations!) working at several addresses in New York City from 1842 to 1877. In the 1842 New York City directory he is listed as a locksmith located at 271 Bleeker Street. In 1843 he is listed as a locksmith and undertaker at the same address. For the next two years the listing is for the partnership of “Heasley & Kedey locksmiths", now located at 267 Bleeker Street. In 1847 the listing is now "R. Heasley & Co. locksmiths" at a new address of 81 Perry Street, what became of Kedey is unknown. After 1847 the "& Co." is dropped and he continues at the Perry address through 1851. Starting in 1852 he is listed again on Bleeker Street, now at 382 and starting in 1856 at 373 Bleeker. For odd numbers of years his occupation is listed as Sexton-an officer of a church or synagogue. From 1865 through 1872 he is listed as just an undertaker. The last listing in the city directories is for 1877. This is the only reported example listed in both Brunk and Rulau. The Rulau plate coin.From the Steve M. Tompkins Collection. Earlier ex Stephen Tanenbaum.
