Presentation Trumpet, "Andrew J. Walsh"
date: label: date made
content: unknown
name: label: maker
content: unknown
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 pewter speaking trumpet was presented to Andrew J. Walsh during the late 19th century by fellow members of the Hibernia Hook and Ladder Company. The speaking trumpet has two rounded bands around the shaft, with small rings protruding from the bands. A cord could be strung through the rings, to create a carrying strap. The trumpet is engraved with a flower motif. The bell has four different cartouches. The first engraving frames a fire hat, hose, nozzle, fire hook, and two ladders. The second is a crossed hook and ladder flanked by “18” with the text “Hibernia” above and “A.J.W.” below. The third has a rattle, hook, and two crossed trumpets. The fourth has the text “V.F.A.” The center of the trumpet bears the inscription "Andrew J. Walsh" in a ribbon. Andrew Walsh was an esteemed member of the Hibernia Hook and Ladder Company No. 18, located at 195 Elizabeth Street in New York City.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States
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: 2005.0233.0883
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.0883
objectType: label: Object Name
content: trumpet, speaking
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: pewter (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 21 1/2 in x 7 1/2 in; 54.61 cm x 19.05 cm