ENJINE!-ENJINE! A STORY OF FIRE PROTECTION
New York: Harold Vincent Smith for The Home Insurance Company, 1939. First Edition. Softcover. Quarto, 12" x 9." pp. 63. Illustrated in color and b&w. Thick red paper covers titled in gilt with image, some fading near edges. Library stamp to top of front cover, "Myrtle Point Public Library." Corners bumped. Bottom left corner creased, affecting internal pages. Small tear to spine. Interior pages very clean and glossy. VERY GOOD. Item #85936
Handsomely illustrated book on the history and material culture of fire fighting and fire insurance in New York. Drawn from the museum collection of H.V. Smith, President of The Home Insurance Company. Contains descriptions and reproduced photographs of fire engines (aka the old 'masheens'), fire marks (cast iron insurance plates affixed to buildings), hat fronts, presentation shields, speaking trumpets and other items of ornamentation. The author writes, "Symbolic of fire protection, these pages are dedicated to the dauntless spirit of all fire fighters, both past and present" (6). Excellent book for understanding the material culture of firefighting from the colonial era to the date of publication.
Price: $40.00