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ARTIFACT:
What we have here is an incredible piece of New York City Firefighting History, American History, Folk Art, and Americana. We are feeling proud and privileged to offer one of the earliest known Fire Badges from New York City and quite possibly one of the earliest Fire Badges in the entire country: The circa 1830’s, or possibly even earlier, Badge of the Secretary of Mutual Hook & Ladder No. 1 of Manhattan, New York City, New York.
The Badge, in the unique shape of a Flame, boldly states SECRETARY in an arc across the top with H & L (for Hook and Ladder) boldly placed across the center. The number 1 largest of all at bottom center and a Fire Hook at left of the 1 under the H and a Ladder to the right of the 1 under the L. Beautifully shaped designed and executed.
The exact history of this badge has been lost over time. For the last century-plus it has been passed down to a family from central Massachusetts, not knowing where the badge was from exactly, or which ancestor wore it. The existence of this badge was just made public earlier this month (4/25).
The Fire Company, still in existence TODAY(!!), as Ladder Company Number 1 FDNY, was formed on July 10, 1772, as Hook and Ladder No. 1. On June 16, 1784, the company was reorganized as Mutual Hook & Ladder No. 1. This company never lost their Organization for a single day during the existence of the Old Fire Department, and with the organization of the Paid System, Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was created on September 8, 1865, using the same location, the same truck and the same red cap fronts as Mutual Hook and Ladder No. 1 did. And nine of the twelve members of the new Paid System company had been members in the old company. It was the only company that was continued with the same number and location, and it might be said that Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 has had a continuous existence since June 16, 1784.
This badge has a huge presence when compared to the badges of the 1850‘s and on, and its shape, that of a flame, is unique in Fire Badges. It is whimsical, bold, and beautiful, all at once. And the current condition of this badge does not take away from that appearance at all, it makes the badge appear even larger than life like the aftermath of unknown numbers of battles with fires. There seems to be a hint of gilding on the remnant plated areas on the observe: it is possibly that the Secretary badge was set off from other members by being gilt instead of silver in color. This could also explain the severe wear to the finish of the badge, as in bright polish the exposed brass would have shone as gold.
The only other example of a similar badge from this Hook & Ladder Company is pictured in Gary R. Urbanowicz‘ book: BADGES OF THE BRAVEST, where it is shown as being from the early 1800’s, and that it is believed to be the oldest New York City Fire Badge in existence. I don’t know where that other badge resides, but here is your possibly once in a lifetime opportunity to add the OLDEST NY CITY Fire Badge to your FDNY Collection.
And beyond that this is also a true piece of American Folk Art and American History.
VINTAGE:
Circa 1830.
SIZE:
Approximately: 3” in height x 2-1/4” at its widest point. Highly convex, the badge is about 3/8“ in depth.
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Silver plated heavy gauge brass “badge” (with the appearance of gilding on the obverse of then badge), brass attachment system, lead solder, with Jeweler’s black in the lettering and details.
MARKINGS:
N/A.
ITEM NOTES:
This is from a FIRE Fighter collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. CON-JDH-20-25 LCGIGEX04/16/25
CONDITION:
6- (Fine): Moderate to heavy wear to the obverse of the badge, about 65% of the plating is worn or polished off. There are also light scratches and abrasions present, and there is wear and slight loss to the Jewelers Black in the lettering and details. Although the badge states the title SECRETARY, certainly this member of Hook & Ladder Company #1 was in the thick of it with his fellow Fire Company members.
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
