Henry Shaw of the Alert Hose Company, Big Rapids, Michigan, 1877

Summary

This man, identified as Henry 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 Henry 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.

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: Brothers / Henry Shaw / 1877 / W.E. Drew

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