Jacob G. Bauman (Active circa 1870)
Firehouse Memorial Picture-Tribute to Firefighters
Signed on lower right: J.G. Baumann, Artist
Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1870
Features an eagle perched atop the stars and stripes shield with a banner reading "Liberty and Prosperity" above the heat and fiery light of a conflagration...and a firefighter rescuing a child
Oil on canvas
Little is known of the life and work of Jacob Baumann, Arthur Hopkin Gibson, in Artists of Early Michigan, A Biographical Dictionary of Artists Native to or Active In Michigan 1701-1900 (Detroit, Michigan, 1975) page 47, offers only scant information: Jacob Baumann was an amateur artist working in Detroit, who studied at the German-American Seminary in Detroit during the year 1875. His only other known work, depicting the old Tollgate at Gratoit and Mack Streets in Detroit is known from a photocopy in the Burton Historical Collection of the Detroit Public Library, mentioned in the Detroit News, July 26, 1925, The Metropolitan Section, Page 5.
This unusual painting commemorates the life of a heroic firefighter...The central design-composed of a flag, helmet, floral wreath and accouterments-appears to be painted from life. Other vignettes include a steam engine, a firefighter rescuing a child, and a stack of firefighter's equipment including a coiled hose, hook, trumpet, leather belt labeled "Red Jacket"; helmet with badge also labeled "Red Jacket" along with "4" and "J.P.", the American flag, and a bouquet of flowers. The two vignettes of firefighting activity were probably inspired by the popular series of lithographs by Currier and Ives from the 1850s and early 1860s entitled "The Life Of A Fireman."
Literature: American Expressions of Liberty (Mingei International Museum, 1996) and will appear in American Visions of Freedom and Liberty (Virginia Historical Society.) Also, The Billy Pearson Collection of American Folk Art, by David A. Schorsch.
The picture, mounted in a custom frame has been relined and there is minor in-painting. (29-inch x 35-inch view area; overall: 35-inch x 41-inches.)
Price: $43,000
232-53
Watercolor
Fairy Hose Cart-5
E.J. Lines Foreman
Signed...Henry C. Curtis
27 Congress Avenue
A scene depicting an early hose cart with fireman in parade hat.
The work is mounted in a period painted frame and as depicted has stains.
Frame: 19.75 by 16 inches; View: 15.5 by 11.5 inches.
$8,500
339-3
New York City
Veteran Fireman's Association
Large Photograph of Firefighters
New York Fire Department
Circa 1886
There were several noted VFA activities during 1886 with the largest assemblage of some 250 veteran fire fighter's being October 28th; the unveiling of The Statue of Liberty.
This large print (photo process) depicts a group portrait imposed on a realistic rendering of NYC. The work is mounted within an outstanding frame with applied composition firefighting motifs. The piece was never opened since framing; upper corner helmets need restoration...as depicted, all else fine.
Frame: 47 x 35.25 inches; view: 39.5 x 25.5 inches; the print itself measures 34 by 19.5-inches. (We have a great frame restoration specialist.)
Please refer to Costello, The History Of The New York Fireman, page 763.
$3,750
232-127
Modern Double Ahren's Engine
Painted by James Fanning and Frank Elder
Cooper Union, New York City
Circa 1895
Oil on canvas
As depicted, a double engine by Ahren's Manufacturing Co., Cincinnati, Ohio
The work was neatly removed from stretcher with the clever framer using the 1.25-inch tack edge as a border. The piece is framed under Plexiglas; condition is excellent. (Frame: 45.25 x 33.25 inches; view: 39.25 x 27 inches.)
$7,685
232-153
No. 13 Eagle
Eagle Engine Company
New York City.
Oil On Board
First Half 19th Century
Signed, I. Tice - SOLD
"In 1830" writes Mr. Zophar Mills, "the company was mostly Quakers of the highest respectability. They were generally merchants and merchants clerks. They had their new engine-the first one in this city that was silver plated, and probably the only one in this country whose brass work was silver plated. The engine was painted black, gold striped, highly polished. She was the most elegant engine ever seen in those days, and all this expense of decoration was paid for by the company and their friends."1
The picture is painted on pine and remains in original condition; having minor losses and never cleaned as depicted. (15.25 by 11.25 inches.)
1 Our Fireman The History Of The New York Fire Departments From 1609 To 1887 by Augustine Costello, page 589.
339-4 - SOLD
Outstanding Oil On Panel
Eagle Engine Company
New York City.
Oil On Board
First Half 19th Century - SOLD
"In 1830" writes Mr. Zophar Mills, "the company was mostly Quakers of the highest respectability. They were generally merchants and merchants clerks. They had their new engine-the first one in this city that was silver plated, and probably the only one in this country whose brass work was silver plated. The engine was painted black, gold striped, highly polished. She was the most elegant engine ever seen in those days, and all this expense of decoration was paid for by the company and their friends."1
The picture is painted on clear white-wood; panel is chamfered on all sides. Extremely minor re-touch otherwise superb in all aspects. Frame: 23 by 19.5 inches; View: 17.75 by 14 inches.
1 Our Fireman The History Of The New York Fire Departments From 1609 To 1887 by Augustine Costello, page 589.
339-5 - SOLD
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