Firefighter Antiques

Item Description

Shortly after the formation of fire wards or brigades in larger American cities, it became clear that specialized clothing and headgear were needed to protect those who were on the front lines.

Henry Gratacap, a foreman in the New York City Fire Department, was among the most well-known early fire-helmet makers. Opening his business in 1836, he added the eagle shield holder to his helmets, which extended from the cap’s peak to hold a large shield insignia over the front brim.

In 1884, F.J. Miller produced a catalog for the Fire Department of New York entitled, "Fred J. Miller's Fire Apparatus and Fire Department Supplies New York 1884." The catalog featured a "64 cone" helmet that was referred to as "The lightest, strongest, handsomest, and most comfortable hat yet invented." Essentially, its description perfectly aligned for Phenix Leather Helmets and thus, the TL-2 Milller was born.

This San Franciscan style, TL-2 with Miller upgrade collectible is a tribute to those early days. Phenix chose to pay tribute to the hard working firefighters of yesterday by creating this 64 comb helmet. With the same quality and attention to detail you would expect from Phenix fire helmets, the company brings you this custom presentation leather helmet. These helmets make wonderful presentation pieces for promotions, retirement or wedding gifts, holiday gifts, newborn mementos, and even weddings.

Item Special Note

Please read all information carefully before bidding. Photos are provided for detail but we are unable to photograph each angle. This is a private auction for our LAFD firefighters, families, existing donors and volunteers only. Any winning bidder not in our data base will be disqualified.

Please note, all items must be picked up from our office in Los Angeles, California (Eagle Rock area) by appointment only, no later than Monday, December 16, at 4:00pm. Items may be picked up from December 10 through December 16. Office is closed on weekends. Making an appointment allows us to provide you with a receipt and have your items ready for you. See details below if you prefer to items to be shipped. If you do not pick up your items or notify us you prefer shipping by December 16, your items will be forfeited.

Items that are too heavy or costly to ship, must be picked up from our office location and are listed as “pick-up only” in the item description.

Billing/Failed Credit Cards: If your credit card or payment fails more than once, your auction item will be forfeited.

Shipping: We will begin shipping items starting December 10 and expect to ship all items no later than December 16, 2019. We will ship via USPS Certified Mail with a signature requirement to the address on file in Bidding for Good. Please be sure your shipping address is up to date.

Shipping Gift Certificates: For hard copies of tickets and certificates, there is no charge for shipping tickets or gift certificates.

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Auction E-mail Communications: E-mail communications about this auction will come from either wodff@biddingforgood.org or auctions@wodff.org. Please be sure to check your inbox, spam and/or junk mail folders for pertinent correspondence.