New London has always struck me as a city particularly interested in history, or at least of the city's own past dating back to the Revolutionary War and beyond. One conversation contributing to this impression happened in front of the New London Fire Department Headquarters. I chatted with a firefighter to get some information for the site directory, and spent quite a bit of time learning about the Hurricane of 1938 and the two companies whose name the building still bears above the garage bays (the Niagara Engine Company No. 1 and F.L. Allen Hook and Ladder Company No. 1). The city's website has a history section and some historic photos related to the department, which traces its roots back to 1767, and some time ago the department shared some photos via Twitter of the old firehouses that are no longer in service.

So I thought I'd turn to them for some help with this week's auction item, billed as "Early Fireman Badge & Cabinet Card Photo New London CT." The seller, OpAmerica Toy and Bank Museum in Clearwater, Fla., has a refreshingly detailed description for the framed collection featuring a photograph of a firefighter, a button with an illustration of a firefighter, and a badge with a pinback reading "Committee" and "New London, Conn." and "Willimantic, Conn." on the ribbons. The seller says the items belonged to the firefighter in the photo, and identifies him as Charles Knapp.

I asked the New London Fire Department via their Facebook page if they had any more information on Knapp or the items. Based on Knapp's hat badge, they were skeptical that he had been a member of the New London department. They also noted that the items seem to be from a convention (and that NLFD memorabilia has been fetching some good prices on eBay lately). "It was customary for firefighters attending various conventions, that they were issued the ribbons shown in the photo," they said. "It is possible that Willimantic and New London had a joint function or separate events which offered the ribbons shown."

Tara Samul, a reference librarian at the Public Library of New London and author of the book New London Firefighting, also couldn't find anything more on Knapp; he's a bit of an elusive character, unfortunately, as I couldn't dig up any references in online resources. “The ribbons were often souvenir ribbons of an event (i.e.parade)," said Samul. "This particular ribbon was probably worn by a committee member. I think the Willimantic and New London ribbons represent the sponsoring towns of the event (but not 100 percent sure!)."

The seller says the pieces are in good condition aside from some loss at the bottom of the ribbons and a small bend at one corner of the photograph. The items are included in an 8-by-12 inch glass-topped case with a removable lid. The asking price is $199.95 plus $6.95 shipping and handling, and the auction ends at approximately 4 p.m. on Friday.