Leather firefighting helmet. Ornate leather firefighting helmet with stamped border around rim, vertical designs on sections on dome and manufacturer's seal "H.G. Grata cap _ St NY" On back 2.5in tall "1820" painted in red and gold. Metal eagle head is mounted facing front on top of front. Eagle appears to hold in its beak a leather crest with a 3.25in high blue "4" with white leather cut out to reveal it. Cut out on top revelas a red background with white letter: W_SH____ON." A cut out section at the base has a red background and white letters "_. C. L." Remnants of red fabric around edge of interior where hat fits onto head.
Manufacturer's stamp " H.T. Gratacap, Manufacturer of Firemans Caps, Belts, &c 143 Grand St, New York"
Firefighting helmet from the Shiffler Fire Company. Leather helmet painted dark red on top with edge and underside of brim painted black. On back of brim "1852" painted in gold and black, 2.25in high. Hat in 16 sections with 4 raised arcs, one in back and two at sides painted gold. Center front of helmet a golden metal eagle's head reaches forward with a ball or berry in its beak This may fit inot the horizontal loop at the top back of the metal shield to hold it in place. metal sheild, curved silver colored with three brass pieces attached. Top banner reads: "SHIFFLER;" middle piece is 3in high "7;" and bottom banner reads: "S. FIRE Co." Lined with a 3in band of red flocked fabric.
Painted portrait of William Albright (or Albrecht) (1793-1852) by Jacob Eichholtz, c. 1830
William Albright, or Albrecht, was born May 23, 1793 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to German printer, John Albright (1745-1806). He worked intermittently in Philadelphia as an ornamental painter, lithographic artist, limner, "dancing-master," and teacher of drawing from 1815 to 1845. Albright delineated the color plates for the "Floral Magazine and Botanical Repository" (Philadelphia, 1832-1834).
In 1820, Albright returned to Lancaster at his father's bequest, where until 1836, he published the "Staatsbothe" and continued the publication of the "New and Improved North American Almanac" started by Francis Bailey in 1775. On Christmas Day in 1821 he married Mary Weaver with whom he had one daughter, Anna M. Albright (1822-1855).
Albright returned to Philadelphia ca. 1837, and following a year as a dance master, taught drawing at 21 South Fifth Street until his death in 1852.
William Albright, or Albrecht, was born May 23, 1793 in Lancaster, PA. During his lifetime he worked as a printer, ornamental painter, lithographic artist, limner, dancing-master and teacher of drawing.
Between 1820 and 1836, Albright published a German-language newpaper in Lancaster, the 'Staatsbothe,' as well as the 'New and Improved North Americna Almanac.' Albright moved to Phila. in 1837 where he spent his remaining years teaching art.
On Christmas Day in 1821 William Albirhgt married Mary Weaver. The had one daughter, Anna M. Albright (1822-1855). The birth and death dates of Mary Weaver Albright are unknown.
