General Antiques and Collectibles Spring Auction
Lot 232:
Description
C-17990
Brightly painted fiberglass child’s fire helmet in yellow with red trim and stenciled stars, featuring a raised "Smokey Chief" front plate. Produced in the mid-20th century, these novelty helmets were designed as durable play accessories modeled after the leather fire helmets of the era. This example is finished in glossy yellow with a red band and bold star motifs, the word Smokey painted down the crown, and a molded "Smokey Chief" front crest with crossed axes. The interior brim is decorated with repeating red stars, showing the extra effort given to presentation even in children’s costume items. Helmets of this type were often sold at fairs, dime stores, or through mail-order catalogs, embodying the imaginative spirit of postwar American playthings.
Condition shows a crack along the front brim, scattered paint loss, and general surface wear from age and use. Colors remain vivid and eye-catching.
11.5" W x 14.25" D
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