As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze. Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.
This silver plated trumpet was presented to John A. Gross of the Kingston Fire Department Hose Company in 1872. The trumpet was manufactured by the Meriden Britannia Company of Meriden, Connecticut. The trumpet is engraved with a floral motif and a floral and leaf garland frame the inscription “Presented to/ John A. Gross/ Chief Engineer of/ Kingston/ Fire Department/ Hose Co. No. 2/ June 1873.” The trumpet’s shaft has two protruding rings, allowing a cord to be attached to create a strap.
As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze. Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.
This silver plated speaking trumpet was presented to James McQuire, Jr. around 1872. There are two crossed ladders engraved at the top of the shaft, and below this is an oval cartouche formed by a fire hose with an image of a fireman with a speaking trumpet at the center. The inscription reads “Presented to James McQuire, Jr. by the Members of Blackstone Hose Company No. 1, October 5, 1872” and is flanked by two small classical figures in short tunics with trumpets. At each side is a ladder rising from the bell to the shaft, and at the back are two rings for attaching a cord, each in the shape of a fire helmet. The trumpet’s bell is engraved with an image of a hose carriage, which is surrounded by a floral motif. The Blackstone Hose Company was founded in Norwich, Connecticut in 1868 and named for a prominent local businessman and politician, Lorenzo Blackstone.
Japanned speaking trumpet, painted black with red, green and yellow leaflets alternating with red-dotted flowers where the bell joins the shaft, and a yellow rickrack border around the bell. Mouthpiece, shaft and bell all have soft-soldered lapped-seams; bell with folded edge. No marks.
Circular stand with beaded rim and concave gutter rising to a flat-top, inverted trumpet-shaped extension at center. No marks. Used with syrup pitcher, DL.60.1146B, for catching drips; from same service as teapot, DL.60.1146A.
Circular, clear, colorless pressed glass bowl or dish resting atop a trumpet-shape stand formed by three incurved brackets mounted to a truncated conical base die-stamped with flowers and leaves. Cast eight-petaled daisies are applied to the tops of the supports. Interior of wavy-rim bowl is smooth, while its exterior has alternating panels of single radiating stars and a cane pattern with diamonds; a circular projection on its bottom fits into the holder. Underside of stand base is struck with an incuse circular mark containing a pointed shield with balanced scales bordered by "MERIDEN / B. COMPANY" in sans serif letters above "179".
Flat oval tray with molded sides and large beaded rim on four applied oval boss feet. Well obverse is engraved with an oval band of trumpet-shaped leaves and flowers sprouting scrolls around a foliate script "W" at center. Circular tag affixed to underside of well at one end is embossed "* ROGERS BROS. MFG CO. * / HARTFORD CONN. (in outer circle)" and "****** / EXTRA / HEAVY / PLATE. / ******* (in inner circle)". Clipped-corner rectangular, red-bordered white paper label affixed at center of underside.
Maker is Rogers Brothers Manufacturing Co. (William, Asa H., and Simeon S. Rogers) of Hartford, CT; 1853-1861.
Hexagonal or six panel-sided candlestick with fixed, open rolled-edge bobeche or drip pan, urn-shaped candle cup or socket, and elongated vase-shaped stem on conforming, trumpet-shaped base with stepped edge. Base underside is struck incuse at center with a concentric circular mark for "FORBES [SILVER] PLATE CO. U.S.A." around an eagle's head erased, facing right, above "QUADRUPLE PLATE" in sans serif letters and "92"; "PEN" is scratched at right with a circled "2" marked over it in red pencil or crayon, and the roman numeral "II" is at bottom left edge. One of two candlesticks, DL*306994.0050-.0051.
Two-handled, circular urn-shape bowl joined to a flared pedestal on circular molded foot with a two-tiered, trumpet-shape cover topped by a button knop. Beading around middle of cover and on bowl at opening, shoulder, top of pedestal and edge of foot; greek-key patterned band applied below beading at shoulder. Two sprigged S-curve handles. Underside of rounded bottom struck incuse with circular trademark containing a pointed shield with balanced scales bordered by "MERIDEN / B. COMPANY" above "1790". Cover scratched inside near outer edge "1790".
Hexagonal or six panel-sided candlestick with fixed, open rolled-edge drip pan on short vase-shaped candle cup or socket and an elongated vase-shaped stem on conforming, trumpet-shaped base with stepped edge. Base underside is struck incuse near edge of one panel "FORBES SILVER PLATE CO. USA" in sans serif letters above "92"; a circled "2" is marked in red pencil or crayon to left. "IIII" possibly lightly scratched on top of base. One of two candlesticks, DL*306994.0050-.0051.
Maker is Forbes Silver Co. (or Forbes Silver Plate Co.), of Meriden, CT; founded in 1894 as a division of Meriden Britannia Co. and, as such, became part of International Silver Co. in 1898. Only made plated goods; no sterling. Trademarks used by Insilco until circa 1935.