Firefighters hold a special place in the hearts and minds of many people. They’re undisputed heroes, people who risk life and limb to protect others from a deadly force. It may be a surprise – but it’s no wonder – to discover that fire department memorabilia is a hot category of collectible.
Vintage firefighting helmets, badges, axes, fireboxes, fire extinguishers, uniforms, and even ladders can all do well at auction. There’s even a market for vintage firefighter toys and model fire trucks.
Antique Wilbraham Fire Department helmet – leather
If you’ve obtained firefighter’s memorabilia that you’d like to make some money on, Central Mass Auctions can help you sell it at auction (live or online) for the maximum amount. We work throughout Central Mass, Greater Boston, New England, and beyond. You can contact us now, or read on to find out more about firefighting collectibles.
What makes firefighting memorabilia valuable?
Age is one factor. Memorabilia from the 1800s is especially popular, and some pieces are even older. For example, a rare pair of leather fire buckets from the Washington Fire Club dating back to 1803 sold at auction for $16,000 back in 2012.
The condition and popularity of your specific pieces will of make a difference, too, of course.
A pair of old controlling nozzles could go for up to $500, and an axe from the right era could go for a similar price. Though not every piece sells for a large sum, it’s always wise to get firefighting memorabilia appraised. Don’t send it to Goodwill, put it on eBay, or let it collect dust in your house.
How can you sell fire fighter memorabilia?
Getting an appraisal is always the first step. Unless you are a collector or an expert yourself, it is unlikely you can accurately assess the value of your piece. Attempting to sell it yourself without an appraisal means you might overprice it (and never get it sold), or undervalue it and wonder whether you got the short end of the wishbone.
Figuring out the right price doesn’t matter much if you can’t get your memorabilia in front of the right collectors. Sites like eBay or Craigslist cater to bargain hunters, and not to true collectors, which means you’ll rarely be able to sell your memorabilia for what it’s worth. By contrast, working with a real auction house can ensure that you market to collectors who will be eager to pay top dollar for your best pieces.
Get your firefighting memorabilia to auction
We get your pieces in front of serious buyers who care about the history of your firefighting memorabilia and who will pay top dollar for it. Contact Central Mass Auctions for an appraisal appointment today.
For the safety of both our buyers and sellers, all of our auctions are online (for now). We will still appraise, transport, handle, and market your items for you.
