Presentation Trumpet, "John A. Gross"
date: label: date made
content: ca 1873
label: presentation date
content: 1873-06
name: label: maker
content: Meriden Britannia Company
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: 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.
label: Description (Brief)
content: 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.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: Connecticut, Meriden
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
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content: Cultures & Communities
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content: Work
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content: Firefighting Collection
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content: Speaking Trumpets
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2005.0233.0844
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.0844
objectType: label: Object Name
content: trumpet, speaking
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: silver plate (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: electroplate (overall production method/technique)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 21 3/4 in x 7 1/2 in; 55.245 cm x 19.05 cm