$551
Framed Engraved "Alert Eagle Fire Society" Member's Notice and Legend, D. Staniford, delineator, Boston, c. 1800, dated February 25, 1800, the engraved notice with hand-coloring requests the member to attend the "Alert Eagle Fire Society" meeting at Concert Hall, the inscriptions are embellished with symbolic figures, scene, and elements all explained on a hand-inscribed "explanation of the device" written on a paper affixed to the interior of the back panel, the central reserve for example depicts "A ship with the buildings on long wharf on fire; in the back ground, Dorchester heights, and vesfels sailing down the harbor...," (toning, edge losses, staining), 7 1/2 x 6 1/2 in., in original molded giltwood frame. Note: See "Bag, Bucket, Bedkey and Screw Driver," by Lawrence B. Romaine, Volume: 47, Number: 167, Issue: Winter 1957, from Old-Time New England Articles , Historic New England, which discusses the Fire Society, instituted in Boston on March 5, 1799, to fight fires and protect "the safety of the Citizens"; a copy of the article accompanies the notice.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2011-08-14
