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Dunshee, Kenneth Holcomb : Enjine!--Enjine!: A Story of Fire Protection

Harold Vincent Smith, New York, 1939

"Second Printing: September 1939." Original publisher's red paper wrappers with gilt lettering and color illustration of a fireman on front cover. No lettering on spine. 9" x 12." Sixty-three pages, complete. Illustrations in black-and-white and color, complete. Glossary in back. Pages are clean and intact overall except for light age toning, slight wear to extremities, and the last two pages being slightly stuck together. Covers are clean and intact overall but have darkening and some splitting along gutters, and gilt lettering is somewhat faded and corners are bumped. A Very Good copy. A tribute to firefighters, this pamphlet also contains a brief history of firefighting or fire protection in New York. Author Kenneth Holcomb Dunshee begins his historical account with an introduction in which he explains how New York's early fire engines were often called "enjines." In the first chapter, Dunshee discusses the Harold Vincent Smith Museum Collection of firefighting memorabilia. Smith was the president of the Home Insurance Company and, over the years, collected a variety of firefighting antiques such as fire marks, fire engines, fire hats, gifts that were given to firefighters for their service, and relics from the great conflagrations of Chicago and San Francisco. In the next chapter, Dunshee discusses the history of fire engines. He briefly describes the use of fire engines in ancient Egypt. He then talks about the invention of the first efficient mobile fire engine by Richard Newsham of London in the early eighteenth century. Several brief mentions are given to other historical figures or companies involved in the evolution of the fire engine including James Smith, William C. Hunneman, Pat Lyon, Agnew & Company Dudley Farnam, and Frank Ransom. Following this is a showcase of some early fire engines and hose reels used by specific New York fire companies (with charming color illustrations), namely, Hayseed (Hudson engine), Old Brass Bricks (New York engine), Black Joke (Black Joke engine), Red Rover (Howard engine), Old Maid (Chatham engine), Big Six (Americus engine), Lafayette (Lafayette engine), The Blue Boys (Jefferson engine), The White Ghost (Lady Washington), Old Stag (Clinton engine), Mankiller (Empire engine), Old Rock (Marion engine), Mutton Hose (Eagle hose), Silver Nine (Columbian hose), The Ball Club (Hook & Ladder), and The Elephant (Manhattan engine). Dunshee also describes firemen's tools of the trade and their regimen for maintaining engines and firefighting tools; advancements in transporting water; the Croton Aqueduct; fire marks and fire insurance; a fireman's duty and lifestyle; fire hats, helmets, hat fronts, presentation shields, and uniforms; speaking trumpets (also doubling as drinking horns); firefighters' social events; custom decorations on fire engines; and George W. Collier, Manhattan's last fire volunteer. "Published by Harold Vincent Smith for the Home Insurance Company.". Book. Book Condition: Very Good. Binding: Soft cover

2nd Printing

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