The 2022 Allentown Spring Melt Fire Memorabilia Show and Auction held on April 23 and 24 was a big success. Coming back from a hiatus due to the pandemic, the event had good attendance and strong prices across the board. “This was our first live auction that we conducted during the Spring Melt, and we could not be happier with attendance and prices. Our consignors are also extremely happy,” stated auctioneer Brian Enterline. There was a total of 406 registered bidders competing for 437 lots of firefighting antiques and memorabilia for the auction, which is one of the largest fire memorabilia events in the United States and run by the Union Historical Fire Society.
Operated by Brian Enterline, the next fire antiques and memorabilia auction is scheduled for Friday, July 8, at the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum in Harrisburg, Pa. Enterline is a licensed and bonded auctioneer specializing in firefighting antiques and memorabilia.
“We were fortunate to offer parts of several long-term fire memorabilia collections that have been untouched for 30-plus years. These fresh-to-the-market items turned heads and lifted hands as the bidding heated to capture these finds,” continued Enterline. The gross total, including buyers premium, topped $250,000.
A few highlights of the auction included an 1837 City of Lowell (Mass.) engineers trumpet selling for $5,300. Prices reported do not include a buyer’s premium. An early Gratacap fire helmet with leather eagle sold for $3,000; a Harden tubular glass fire grenade, $1,300; and a rare American fire alarm box realized $6,100. A Torrent 1 steam fire engine lantern sold for $7,000, and a Mutual Assurance cast-iron fire mark went for $2,000.
Additional prices realized can be found on the online bidding page by visiting www.eastmerefireman.hibid.com.
For more information, contact Brian Enterline by calling 717-648-4458 or emailing brian@eastmerefireman.com.