For many years there has been a need for a definitive work on the subject of Insurance Company Fire Brigade Badges as worn by their Watermen in times gone by. This is to record the story of the early days of fire protection as well as to give a detailed raissonne for each and every fire badge remaining extant at the present time. Today comparatively few badges survive - mostly made of sterling silver - but, being of great rarity and beauty, they are keenly sought and frequently appear at auction...