C1900 TRENTON, NJ FIREMAN Portrait Painting- Full Length oval frame convex glass

Description

This item is an original circa 1900-1915 grey scale watercolor and charcoal painting of Trenton, New Jersey fireman Samuel S. Bramley (1853-1916). Its a full length well done portrait of Samuel in his department coat and cap with badge. I cannot see a signature but did not open the frame see check the back or edge under the rabbet. Very rare to find something like this these days.  The frame is 22 by 16 inches and has original convex glass. I examined it with a loupe and it is not a retouched photograph. On thick paper possibly mounted to backing board. There is a 1 1/4 by 1/2 inch loss at the very top center probably from an old attempt to hang the frame on a wall with only a sharp nail and not a hook hangar.
Mr. Samuel S. Bramley lived on Dickinson and S. Clinton Ave in Trenton and supposedly joined the FD in 1879. I see he was listed though as a laborer in the 1881 city directory. But in the 1882 directory he was now a brakeman. He was brakeman on a horse drawn engine at FH #4 at north Clinton Avenue just off Olden. The FH is still there but closed.
Later he was with Engine #6 at N. Olden & Walnut St. which had a steam powered ladder truck. He was rear ladder operator supposedly!
The frame came with a typed letter explaining who the portrait is of and short biographical info and work done at the fire department. This letter is now attached to the back in an envelope.
I checked the 1920 city directory and only his wife Anna was listed at his Dickinson Street address by then and she was listed as a widow. So this image and bio has been properly researched and proven out.
Local buyers are welcome to come and pick it up in person.