Fire Collectibles Vignette, with Details of Each Piece
Clockwise, from top left:
Franklin Fire Society-Charlestown-Protection in Danger
Probably owned by Albert Tufts, Charlestown, Massachusetts
Fire Bucket
Washington Cenotaph
Charlestown, Massachusetts
Circa 1800
Fire buckets such as the depicted having identified historic motifs are scarcely encountered. This example, a leather bucket decorated and identified with "Franklin Fire Society-Charlestown-Protection in Danger", with owners name below...( rt) Tufts; only the last two letters of the first name are visible due to surface losses. Charlestown is painted along the vertical seam on the back. The central device is a large cenotaph or memorial urn with initial "W". This urn motif was used on a variety of medals, ceramics, prints and textiles circa 1800 in the months following Washington's death. The paint is 90% intact, all decoration and lettering is original; minor touch-up to small area on the reverse. The handle is period but may be a replacement; detached at one "D" ring with the other ring being a replacement...easily repaired by or leather restorer or yours. Our supposition is that the bucket was owned by Albert Tufts who was born 17 August, 1804; son of Hutchinson Jr. and Mary Locke Tufts.
Price: $9,500
232-88
Outstanding Oil On Panel
Eagle Engine Company
New York City.
Oil On Board
First Half 19th Century
"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.
Price: $25,000
339-5
Unique Large Wood Presentation Fire Trumpet
Wilmington, Delaware to Conshohocken, Pennsylvania Association
Circa 1879
This unique wood presentation fire trumpet is approximately 55-inches long. It has an inscription painted in black letters with red and gilt highlights that reads "Presented to / Washington S.F.E.H. & L. Co. No. 7 / Of Wilmington Del. By / The Secret Eight Of / Washington H, & S, F, E, Co, No, 1 Of / Conshohocken PA. / Dec, 24, 1879." The mouthpiece is detachable and there are two movable rings with black tasseled rope attached. We are awaiting what the consignor states "is a considerable amount of paperwork" that will accompany the piece.
Price: $16,000
232-57
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.
Price: $11,500
339-3
No. 13 Eagle
Eagle Engine Company
New York City.
Oil On Board
First Half 19th Century
Signed, I. Tice
"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.
Price: $11,500
339-4
Harris Chemical Wagon
All original, one ladder
Circa 1890-1900 - SOLD
The wagon is missing the bell and clapper, as is common with these toys. The toy measures 19.75-inches in length, 7-inches in height and 4.25-inches in width.
460-12
If you are interested in buying any of these items, please call (978) 597-8084 or email David Hillier at drh@aaawt.com or Lynn Morin at lfm@aaawt.com
DEALER INQUIRIES WELCOME
