Union Company Cape
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Object Details
- unknown
- Description
- Some early American firefighters wore capes for protection, ornamentation, and identification. The stiff oil cloth protected their shoulders and upper body against fiery embers and water, and the decorative painting served to identify company members at chaotic fire scenes or on parade. The capes were often painted by local sign painters, some skilled artists like John A. Woodside, who also painted the company’s hats and banners and decorated their fire engines. Many of the capes in the firefighting collection display patriotic names and symbolism, reflecting themes important to 19th century volunteers, as well as the pride they felt in the early founding date of their fire company.
- This oil cloth cape is painted white, with the text “UNION/1747” in red with brown shading in the center of the cape. The cape’s shoulders have the number “1” painted in red with brown shading. This cape likely belonged to a member of the Union Fire Company of Trenton, New Jersey, which was founded February 8th, 1747.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
- 18th or 19th century
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0130
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0130
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- Object Name
- cape, fire uniform
- Physical Description
- oil cloth (overall material)
- paint (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 25 in x 43 in; 63.5 cm x 109.22 cm
- place made
- United States
- Related Publication
- McCosker, M.J.. The Historical Collection of the Insurance Company of North America
- McCosker, M.J.. The Historical Collection of Insurance Company of North America
- See more items in
- Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
- Cultures & Communities
- Clothing & Accessories
- Work
- Firefighting Collection
- Firefighting Capes
- National Museum of American History
- used
- Fire Fighting
- Fraternal Associations
- Record ID
- nmah_1326340
- Metadata Usage (text)
- CC0
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-4797-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
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