Cast Iron Fireman Fire Marker

Painted cast iron horizontal fire marker with a fire engine and initials "U.F." Similar one in the Fireman's Hall Museum. The Fire Association of Philadelphia managed an insurance co...

Fire Association of Philadelphia fire marker. Used primarily for advertising purposes, fire marks were used from 1752 to circa 1900. Going back to their e...

Mutual Insurance Co. fire marker without the 1784. Used primarily for advertising purposes, fire marks were used from 1752 to circa 1900. Going back to th...

19th century cast iron boot jack, with jacks on both ends and legs on both sides. Brown Brothers Foundry, patented May 18, 1869. 12" x 5". Collector's p...

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...

Cast iron crucifix. Great casting and quality.

Cast iron crucifix. Great casting and quality.

Cast iron crucifix. Great casting and quality.