Rare Alfred Hale Diving Helmet Highlights Auction
A rare 19th century diving helmet made by the Alfred Hale Co., Boston, sold for nearly $13,000, highlighting the 238-lot Winter Diving Helmet & Memorabilia auction at Nation’s Attic Inc.
WICHITA, Kan. – A rare 19th century diving helmet made by the Alfred Hale Co., Boston, sold for nearly $13,000, highlighting December’s Winter Diving Helmet & Memorabilia auction at Nation’s Attic Inc.
The 238-lot auction drew an enthusiastic international audience with bidders from the U.S., Britain., Canada, Australia, France, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Eastern Europe, Iceland, China, Central America, South America, Russia and South Africa.
“International interest in diving history is an important factor in the collecting field growing,” said Don Creekmore, owner of Nation’s Attic. “Unlike many categories of antiques and collectibles, diving antiques are appreciated worldwide.”
Made by one of the most famous American helmet makers, the Alfred Hale diving helmet featured a copper body with brass hardware. The helmet came complete with all its glass, 12 wing nuts, four brails, air fitting, window guards, internal air vents and exhaust. The helmet, which was polished years ago, sold for $12,937 including buyer’s premium.
Other top lots included a World War II US Navy Mark V helmet made by Miller Dunn, $10,637; a 1919 A.J. Morse & Son helmet, retaining its original patina, $8,625; and a like-new A. Schrader 5 Bolt fully polished helmet made in the 21st century, $11,500. Related diving equipment also performed well with an early 20th century communications box made by A.J. Morse selling for a record price of more than $4,000.
Nation’s Attic Inc. will conduct a diving helmet and memorabilia auction March 14. Consignments are being accepted. Contact Don Creekmore at helmets@nationsattic.com or by calling 316-371-1828. For more information: www.OldHelmet.com.
Paul Kennedy is Editorial Director of the Collectibles Group at AIM Media. He enjoys Mid-century design, photography, vintage movie posters and people with a good story to share. Kennedy has more than twenty-five years of experience in the antiques and collectibles field, including book publishing. Reach him at PKennedy@aimmedia.com.
