Leather firefighter's helmet. From 1820, Washington
Leather fire helmet painted brown overall. Impressed decorative floral chain border plus vertical impressions on the 8 sections of the helmet. 3 of the wider arcs are painted gold. The front arc is topped with a metal eagle head painted gold. A leather shield on the front is white, with cut-out portions revealing a blue "4." Red portions have "WASHINGTON' and "CAF" in white letters. Two eyebolts screwed into helmet front to secure the leather shield. Oval company seal pressed into leather on back rim of hat (on upper side): "H.T. Gratacap Grand St. NY."
Underside: 3" wide lined red flocked fabric headband on inside of helmet still in tact. Hole drilled through back of brim.
Maker is: H.T. Gratacap Manufacturer of Firemen's Caps, Belt &c.
Fireman's hat - 1820. Decorative border in relief around brim. decorative impressions in leather forming the helmet. Emblem impressed on underside of back of hat "Wilson maker _ _ BOWERY." Of eight vertical ridges on the helmet, four ridges, painted gold, widen to .5" high at the top. An eagle neck and head of gold colored metal has been attached to the front ridge with two metal pins or nails. The eagle has detailed feathers and a berry in its beak. "1820" in red and gold is painted on top of rear brim.
American Fire Company Parade Hat. Leather hat with brim (3" in front tapering to 1 3/8" in rear). Height of central portion of hat is 6" in front and slopes to 1 3/8" at rear. Exterior painted red with 1/4" black borders around rim and base of crown of hat. U.S. emblem/shield in red, white and blue painted on crown beneath a black banner with "American" in 1"-high gold letters. Label inside with "Mr. Jacob Sener." Piece of paper cut and pasted to inside top of hat.
Button from 1929 Lancaster County Fireman's Association Convention in LItitz, PA. Printed "9th Convention The Lancaster County Fireman's Ass'n Lititz ,Pa. June 8, 1929." Hole in center bottom of button with a metal wire ring holding a brown metal pretzel (1.5 w x 1.25 h) Plain white paper insert in back of button.
Button from 1936 Fireman's Day. White button with black firetruck in center. Black lettering says "Lancaster County FIremans' Day." Below firetruck" June 6, 1936 Christiana, PA." One inch of 3/4 inch wide red ribbon holds a 1 3/8 long gold colored metal fireman's helmet. Maker's name, Erisman Lanc. Pa., in blue ink on paper insert on back of button.
According to donor's records all buttons were from Fireman's Conventions; Fireman's Day seems to be another name for these conventions.
One of two. Button from 1937 Lancaster County Fireman's Convention. Button with blue ribbon ( 1.5in w x 3.25in L) White background with red text "Hope Fire Engine and Hose Company 125th Anniversary" around a central picture of a fire truck with "1812-1937" beneath it. On dark blue ribbon in silver letters "17th Annual Convention Lancaster County FiIremen's Association Manheim, PA. June 5, 1937_" Stamped silver fringe border at bottom edge.
Two of two. Button from 1937 Lancaster County Fireman's Convention. Button with blue ribbon ( 1.5in w x 3.25in L) White background with red text "Hope Fire Engine and Hose Company 125th Anniversary" around a central picture of a fire truck with "1812-1937" beneath it. On dark blue ribbon in silver letters "17th Annual Convention Lancaster County FiIremen's Association Manheim, PA. June 5, 1937_" Stamped silver fringe border at bottom edge.
Button from 1938 Lancaster County Firemen's Convention. Front of button pictures a lime kiln with "Quarryville, PA" beneath. Around the circumference of the botton, in black letter: "Quarryville Fire Company No 1 Home of the Lime Quarries." On a red robbon (1.625in w x 3.5in L) in gold letters: "18th Annual Convention lanster County Firemen's Association Quarryville PA. June 4, 1938"
Button from the 1941 Lancaster County Firemen's Day. White button with photo reproduction of fire truck in front of "Christiana Fire Co." building. Below the fire: "built 1857." Above photo in back letters: "Lancaster County Firemen's Day." Below: "June 7, 1941 Christiana, PA." Half inch of half inch wide red ribbon holds a 1.375in long god colored metal fireman's helmet.
Button from the 1942 Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. White button with blue letters; " 22nd Annual Convention Lancster Co Firemen's Assn. East Petersburg Pennsylvania. June 6 ,1942" Red, white and blue ribbon.
