Thomas Shaw of the Alert Hose Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877
Add to SetSummary
This man, identified as Thomas Shaw, was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
This man, identified as Thomas Shaw, was a fireman with the Alert Hose Company of Big Rapids, Michigan. To 21st-century eyes his uniform may appear odd, but it was worn during firemen's tournaments and not for fighting fires. These competitions pitted rival firefighting companies against each other in engine and hose races and other tests of firefighting skills needed during fire emergencies.
Artifact
Carte-de-visite (Card photograph)
Date Made
1877
Subject Date
1877
Creators
Keywords
United States, Michigan, Big Rapids
Cartes-de-visite (Card photographs)
Collection Title
On Exhibit
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
36.493.10
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Cardboard
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Albumen process
Mounting
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 4.125 in
Width: 2.438 in
Inscriptions
Handwritten in pencil on back of image: Thomas Shaw 1877 / Bro Ann Howard Shaw / Alert Fire Co / Big Rapids / W.E. Drew / brothers
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