Description:

Americana



Ca. 1900 Fire Department, Large Sepia Photograph

 

Large sepia photograph depicting members of an unidentified American Fire Department, c. 1890-1910. The glossy albumen print is mounted on beveled edged stock, and in turn laid on a cream-colored mat. The mat is pencil signed "C.C. Ellis" and inscribed "#924" verso. With isolated surface foxing found in the lower left corner, and heavily toned mat, else near fine. The photograph measures 15.25" x 12.5" while the mat measures 18.5" x 15.75" overall.

 

Fourteen male firefighters are shown standing and seated in two rows. Their dress uniform was comprised of flat-topped caps, white bow ties, black tunics with double-breasted shield form bibs, badges, white gloves, and over-sized belt buckles emblazoned "WFD." The bibs, badges, and caps are marked with a "1," probably designating the specific firefighting company. These firefighters were likely volunteers, for, although most elements of their uniforms match, their dark trousers and shoes are non-standard issue. The formal portrait was taken in a photographer's studio, as evidenced by the trompe-l'oeil backdrop.

 

Fire was a huge concern of the earliest American colonists. Fire wardens enforced building codes (no thatched rooves or wooden chimneys), and "Rattle Watches" raised the alarm. At first, firefighting was comprised of little else than bucket brigades, but as technology improved and settlements grew bigger, crews started using horse-drawn water tanks complete with pressurized water hoses. In the early nineteenth century, insurance companies typically hired firefighting crews to stop the spread of costly fires, yet local governments started forming their own fire departments around the mid-nineteenth century. This photograph reflects the growing professionalization of firefighting.

 


WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!
Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS. ALSO, ALL PACKAGES SHIPPED FROM OUR OFFICES REQUIRE A DIRECT SIGNATURE UPON DELIVERY.*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000