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DescriptionSepia-tone albumen photo composite with retouching and color attributed as Hoboken firemen being officers of the volunteer fire department, (Hoboken), no date, circa 1885-1886. Print: 16-1/2" high x 21-1/4" wide; mounted on single weight matte board (see notes.) Photograph by C. [Conrad] Magnus as credited in image at lower right corner. Reverse has modern pencil notation: Board of Officers, Hoboken Fire Dept. 1885-86 Magnes(sic) Photo. Men are not identified nor are the offices that they held directly indicated (although belt lettering may infer at least the "chief" - see below.) Reason why this photo was created, retouched, colored and its intended use has not been indicated or established. Content is only established by the note on the reverse, the photographer's name who was a known Hoboken business and the description on a 2001 receipt of the seller (cf archives 2008.080.0001.01). It documents no earlier provenance or source. Essentially a composite image composed of the sixteen firemen posed in varying directions (presumably from individual or small group sittings) and placed in a "pastoral" scene. The scenery is mostly drawn or painted detail with a tree, grass and a worn path through the middle and includes a "stone" fence that may have been a typical studio scenic prop. Each person is seen in uniform up to the hat which is then drawn/retouched above the brim. Some of them carry fire trumpets and have belts; some have legible type with names of their position (such as "foreman" or "asst foreman"; in one case "asst engineer" and in the case of the person at the center of the top line - "chief.") Shirts are usually colored red with three done in blue. Some detail in the drawn helmet badges have a number, 1, 2 or 3, which may indicate the fire company / firehouse. Some helmet badges have the "crossed ladders" motif seen used in Hoboken firemen's uniforms of that period. (See search term "Association of Exempt Volunteer Firemen of the City of Hoboken.") Until 1891, the Hoboken fire department was a volunteer organization. Note: a copy of the photo has been keyed with a number for each figure with an enhanced detail image of each following it for aiding future research that may identify the individuals.