RARE AMERICAN FIREMAN’S TOP HAT TRADE SIGN.

Revised: 8/3/2012

Additional Information: According to an historian and scholar of New York firefighting memorabilia, there are discrepancies with much of the text painted on the sign, and his observations are listed as follows:

1) There is no listing for “Bowery Fireman’s Supply” in NYC directories during the period of the 1890s.

2) Gold Street and Nassau Street do not intersect in Manhattan. They do intersect however in Brooklyn.

3) Sheffan & Cheever was actually Shelton & Cheever.

4) All four helmet makers had their own shops in Manhattan, and the engine manufacturers mentioned were in heavy competition with each other and had their own representatives.

We believe that, at the least, the sign has been repainted and has restoration as previously noted. We cannot guarantee the vintage of the sign as late 19th century. It is most certainly an attractive trade sign regardless of its origins.

RARE AMERICAN FIREMAN’S TOP HAT TRADE SIGN. Second half 19th century. Fine carved pine sign in the form of a top hat in red paint with a tooled leather band fitted with hanging brackets. Front applied with a plaque reading “BOWERY/FIREMEN’S/SUPPLY COMPANY/56 GOLDS. MANHATTAN/Off Nassau St./FIREHOUSE/SUPPLIES”. Flanked by additional painted advertising reading “SILSBY/AMOSKEAG/HUNNEMAN/LA FRANCE/Clapp & Jones” and “ANDERSON & JONES/JOHN OLSEN/CAIRNS & BROS/SHEFFAN & CHEEVER”. SIZE: 24″ h of hat, 30-1/2″ h overall x 25-1/4″ dia. CONDITION: Structurally very good retaining original iron hanging brackets. Hat rim with old repair reinforced with a brass sheet. Additional old repair on edge of top of hat. 9-25444 (3,000-5,000)

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - August 2012

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2208	$2,587.50	Revised: 8/3/2012 Additional Information: According to an historian and scholar of New York firefighting memorabilia, there are discrepancies with much of the text painted on the sign, and his observations are listed as follows: 1) There is no listing for “Bowery Fireman’s Supply” in NYC directories during the period of the 1890s. 2) Gold Street and Nassau Street do not intersect in Manhattan. They do intersect however in Brooklyn. 3) Sheffan & Cheever was actually Shelton & Cheever. 4) All four helmet makers had their own shops in Manhattan, and the engine manufacturers mentioned were in heavy competition with each other and had their own representatives. We believe that, at the least, the sign has been repainted and has restoration as previously noted. We cannot guarantee the vintage of the sign as late 19th century. It is most certainly an attractive trade sign regardless of its origins. RARE AMERICAN FIREMAN’S TOP HAT TRADE SIGN. Second half 19th century. Fine carved pine sign in the form of a top hat in red paint with a tooled leather band fitted with hanging brackets. Front applied with a plaque reading “BOWERY/FIREMEN’S/SUPPLY COMPANY/56 GOLDS. MANHATTAN/Off Nassau St./FIREHOUSE/SUPPLIES”. Flanked by additional painted advertising reading “SILSBY/AMOSKEAG/HUNNEMAN/LA FRANCE/Clapp & Jones” and “ANDERSON & JONES/JOHN OLSEN/CAIRNS & BROS/SHEFFAN & CHEEVER”. SIZE: 24″ h of hat, 30-1/2″ h overall x 25-1/4″ dia. CONDITION: Structurally very good retaining original iron hanging brackets. Hat rim with old repair reinforced with a brass sheet. Additional old repair on edge of top of hat. 9-25444 (3,000-5,000) Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - August 2012 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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