Fire company membership certificate containing two side panel views, vignettes, and firefighting iconography. The left panel shows firefighters running from the fire house on Buttonwood Street, below Third Street. Two men stand lookout on the tower above the house, as others pull the fire engine from the garage. The right panel shows the fire company attempting to extinguish the January 14, 1869 fire caused by an explosion of a steam boiler at the southeast corner of Ninth and Chestnut Streets. Flames shoot from the top of three adjacent businesses on land formerly occupied by the Burd Mansion including, Howell & Brothers, paper hanging (900 Chestnut Street); J.M. Hafleigh, dry goods (902 Chestnut Street); and J.F. & E.B. Orne, carpets & oil cloths (904 Chestnut Street). The center vignette, below the membership text, depicts a man standing in front of the two horses that are hitched to a carriage pulling the fire company's engine. At the top of the certificate, American and Pennsylvania flags flank the image of lady liberty sitting on the wing of an eagle. With a lightning bolt in her left hand, she floats above a banner that reads "Allways [sic] ready and willing to assist". Fire fighting equipment, including a helmet, engine, and bugles, are drawn as decorative elements interspersed with the side panel views. Also contains the company's number "No. 9" and institution date, April 10th 1790. Incorporated on April 13, 1844., Not in Wainwright., Signed by Thomas F. Moore, president, and Frank Jacoby, secretary., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 16, Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Certificates - Fire Companies - American Fire Engine
Date
[ca. 1870]
Location
Historical Society of Pennsylvania HSP Certificates - Fire Companies - American Fire Engine
