Nations Attic 2026 Diving Into History + More
Lot 109:
Description
Established in 1830s Boston, Alfred Hale & Company was the premier—and far more elusive—rival to the famed A.J. Morse & Son. While Hale helmets share the exceptional craftsmanship and aesthetic of their Morse counterparts, they are distinguished by their extreme scarcity on the modern market. After transitioning to the Alfred Hale Rubber Company in 1917, the firm mysteriously vanished from the industrial record, leaving behind a limited legacy of high-quality engineering. Today, these helmets are prized by collectors as some of the most desirable and prestigious American-made maritime artifacts of the 19th century.The three ports and two breastplate bolts is the classic configuration of American helmets from the early 20th Century. The helmet also mirrors Hale’s competitor, A.J. Morse & Son, to the point it could be argued that A.J. Morse was actually making the helmets for Hale when this one was produced.The helmet features serial number 1503 on both the bonnet and breastplate neck rings. Three of the brails also feature 1503 on them, with the front left brail having number 1872. The helmets glass is intact with the front faceplate glass having a small chip on one edge and one side port being cracked, but still solid. Other original hardware still present are the port guards, exhaust, safety latch, and air fitting elbow. Ironically, an antique A.J. Morse & Son Inc non-return valve can be found on the air fitting. The helmet does feature a full set of hex-style bolts on the breastplate. The ID Plate has Alfred Hale Rubber Co. Boston, Mass U.S.A. on it proudly. The size, style, and even the font are extremely similar to the A.J. Morse & Son ID plates of the early 20th Century. The bonnet and breastplate do thread together as they should. A very old neck ring gasket is intact. The inside of the bonnet retains its air vents and exhaust chin button. The inside of the bonnet appears to have been cleaned. It’s a safe assumption that this helmet was cleaned or polished long ago and has developed a patina on the outside, as shown in the many photos. While possibly cleaned, the bonnet does still exhibit very small working dents that should be expected with a helmet of this age. The area around the air fitting elbow is also pushed in slightly. This helmet represents an exceptional find for specialists in rare American gear and Boston maritime history. For the advanced collector, it offers a rare opportunity to fill a critical gap with an elusive Alfred Hale Rubber Co. specimen—a true cornerstone piece for any world-class collection.The display stand in the photos is not included. The option to purchase the stand at a discounted price will be available after the auction. All diving helmets in this auction will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Nations Attic. The certificate will have a unique number that will match the number on a tamperproof hologram decal placed inside the helmet. This information will be kept on permanent file at Nations Attic and help ensure the provenance of the helmet and authenticity.All items will be shipped with a signature required upon delivery and full insurance either via FedEx or the USPS Priority Mail. Worldwide shipping is available; however, no ocean freight will be offered on large items. A shipping quote prior to the auction can be provided by emailing your postal code.
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