From Daguerreotype images of 19th-century firemen to early hose, helmets and fire marks, collectors are paying record prices for these unusual niche-market objects.

Maybe it was yet another show of support for the valiant New York firefighters that had paddles waving at the Skinner Firefighting Memorabilia auction held Nov. 10. Whatever it was, it also proved that the auction market is alive and well.

Firefighting items have long been popular with collectors. But, for the most part sales were well over estimate.

A half-plate Daguerreotype of three members of The Union No.2 Fire Company in parade dress, c.1850, sold for $9,200. Prints with firefighting subjects did well. A chromolithograph, c.1876, Centennial Exhibition Philadelphia of firemen rushing to the fire, sold above the $100/200 estimate for $862. A helmet, belt and dress cap, c. 1847, sold over the $500/600 estimate for $1,265.

There were many early 19th-century leather fire buckets with painted motifs that sold over estimate. One with the owner's name, c.1840, fetched $805.

This category covers a lot of territory from postcards to sheet music. Indeed, a complete section of leather riveted hose with couplings that was estimated at $400/600 sold for $2,300. However, if that seems a bit outrageous, you are wrong. The riveted, leather hose was the first type used, patented in 1817. By the late 19th century new, improved types were used. Today it is a collectible rarity.

Metal fire marks from the 19th century have been collected since the 1950s. Originally, they were mounted on buildings to show that the buildings were covered by fire insurance. Each insurance company had its own design. They were made of tin, brass, lead, cast iron, aluminum and zinc. Still modestly priced, examples sold at the Skinner auction for a few hundred dollars. Most costly are sheet-copper fire marks.

CLUES: Many of the early firefighting items have been reproduced. Most common are the fire mark reproductions, made since the early 20th century. Research and looking for patent dates are some help. Also reproduced in the 1950s are the buckets. They can be recognized by flat, leather strip handles. The originals were rolled and sewn.

To begin a collection, think small. Most affordable are items in dealers' cases and in the miscellaneous boxes at garage sales. For example, you might concentrate on designs that symbolize fire fighting, rather than the object itself. You might find a metal ashtray or even a cigar box depicting firefighting. Other possibilities could be photos, stereo cards and tintypes. Old chewing tobacco tins are flea market and garage sale possibilities and can have firefighter art.

Certificates can turn up anywhere and their artwork makes them highly collectible. For instance, those issued in the late 19th century often had a chromolithograph of a piece of firefighting equipment. Even at auction they sell for a few hundred dollars.