This is the most comprehensive guide to collecting fire-related antiques available, presenting a fascinating collection of functional items like helmets, parade trumpets, fire extinguishing grenades, alarm boxes, and lanterns. It also offers ranking and ceremonial effects such as badges, trophies, medals and awards, and ephemera that celebrate the culture and mystique of firefighting, including toys, artwork, movie posters, and much more. Forgotten relics, such as firefighting adventure novels, show the enormous amount of respect and admiration society has had for firefighters. Covering colonial times to the present, with a brief historical introduction, this authoritative reference serves hobbyists and the most serious collectors of "firematics." Nearly 700 color photographs are inside with detailed descriptions and up-to-date pricing information. AUTHOR: Jim Piatti became a volunteer firefighter many years ago in the small New Jersey town where he lives with his wife, Sandra. They have traveled the world together collecting and photographing antiques and art.
