Fireman s Life Saving Machine, 1907 USA

Leather fireman's parade belt with the word "LIBERTY in white on a red ground, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, circa 1900 This fireman's parade belt is of the type produced during the latter part of the 19th century, between roughly 1870 and 1900. Made of leather, the body of the belt is black. In the center is a recessed window, with a fancifully scalloped edge, behind which a red leather panel, upon which the word "Liberty" appears in raised, white letters. There is a white binding, it's edge trimmed with pinking shears to create a decorative border. The metal buckle fits into an opposing leather strap, small in scale and riveted beneath the outer one. The words that appear on fireman's parade belts were customized, sometimes displaying the title of the wearer (i.e., "chief" or "clerk"), sometimes the name of the city or town, and sometimes the name of the station, as-is the case in this instance. Attributed to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania (Columbia County), I acquired it about 25 miles southwest, in adjacent Union County. Bloomsburg's first fire house, Friendship Fire Company, was established in 1868, shortly following the Civil War. Like most volunteer departments of that time, it was staffed by returning Union soldiers who volunteered, enjoying the comradery. Three more would follow, including Rescue Hose & Ladder (1870), Winona (1881), and Liberty Fire Company (1900). In the early 1990's the process was begun to modernize and consolidate all four stations into one. Liberty's fire house still stands on the 100 block of Leonard Street. Probably made in the year the Liberty Fire Company was established, for related parades and festivities, the great thing about this belt is the combination of the wonderful, early, painted surface and the terrific verbiage. While words such as "Clerk," "Bloomsburg," or "Rescue" would have limited appeal, the word "Liberty" opens the playing field to a nation-wide audience. Fire memorabilia...

ABOUT Red wool fireman’s bib shirt marked “B.F.D.” across the chest (Benicia CA Fire Department) and heavy-duty metal buttons stamped with "FD". CREAT...

Collectible Antique Narragansett Machine Company Forearm Exercise Machine is constructed of wood and iron. To operate, one merely turns the grip in different directions to engage dif...

This is a Singer Manufacturing USA 81-5 Industrial Sewing Machine. It depicts a heavy black painted iron sewing machine adorned with gold decals in the front and back that identifies...

Very beautiful wavy bowl from the Dugan Glass Company in the United States, first quarter of the 20th century, in iridescent molded glass, called carnival ...

Unique cast iron fire marker with painted fireman in red coat, horn blowing "FIRE", and hose. Used primarily for advertising purposes, fire marks were used from 1752 to circa 1900. Going back to their early practices, the Philadelphia Contributionship and The Baltimore Equitable Society still issue fire marks. Back stamped "Wilton". The Wilton family has been involved in the metal casting industry since 1892 when Ralph P. Wilton, Sr. began working for his uncle at the Susquehanna Casting Company near Wrightsville, Pennsylvania. At that time, the foundry produced industrial iron castings for other manufacturers. Half a century later, Ralph P. Wilton, Jr. expanded the family business through other ventures, such as Wilton Products (1940) which made cast iron gifts and the Wilton Brass Company (1955) which initially produced industrial brass, aluminum, and iron castings. The company's greatest success occurred in 1963 when Wilton, Jr. developed the formula for a unique aluminum-based alloy called Armetale, which led to a new line of Wilton products. In 1969, the Wilton Brass Company relocated to Mount Joy, Pennsylvania and changed its name to reflect its new direction. Today, Wilton Armetale...

Unique cast iron fire marker with fireman, horn blowing "FIRE", and hose. Used primarily for advertising purposes, fire marks were used from 1752 to circa 1900. Going back to their ...

19th century cast iron military wall plaque sculpture of German officer.

Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus enameled wall plaque. French, mid-century. Reproduction from a stained glass window of Reims cathedral (13th century) ...

This large and substantial pair of cast and cold-painted locomotive identification plaques show no foundry marks, but are presumed to have been cast in South Africa in circa 1910. Th...