City Record Book of Northampton Fire Dept., Organized March 15th, 1884, Bay State Hose Co. No. 4, M.H. Kiely, Clerk [title from front endpapers].

Northampton, MA, 1884-1891. 4to. A ruled blank book containing 50 manuscript pages, 3 pages with 9 chromolithographic cards and die-cuts affixed, 73 pages blank, one leaf removed. The fire company records, entered in manuscript by various clerks, cover some eight years, beginning with its formation; included are roll charts listing members' names (usually about ten men) and meeting attendance (9 pp.). Agendas were basic and repetitive, commonly just the roll-call and reading of minutes from the previous meeting; occasionally noted were motions to purchase needs (caps, uniforms, a lamp, but never firefighting equipment), resignations of members, elections of new members or of officers, preparation for inspection, and plans for social and municipal events. "Alarms of fire" recorded give the location, the company's response, and, fortunately, their success. A nice piece of Northampton fire department history and of life in the local Irish community, to which members' names indicate they belonged. Very worn, leather very chipped, spine a third lost, marbled paper skinned and rubbed; front board cracked in the center and loose but attached; foxed, one blank leaf excised. Half leather backed marbled boards. (7136). Item #59969

Price: $275.00