usvlss Volunteer Life Saving Service

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United States Volunteer Life SavingCorps

The U. S. Volunteer Life-Saving Corps. existed in a number of states and was an early supplement to the U. S. Life-Saving Service in some areas, manning lifeboats and providing life-saving services on the coast and on inland waters. The Service maintained branches in 15 states where there were no stations of the Government Life-Saving Service or the Humane Society. They state that the Corps was intended as an auxiliary to the U. S. Life Saving Service. States where stations existed include New York , Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Connecticut , New Jersey , Pennsylvania , Ohio , Michigan , North Carolina, Illinois , Missouri , Wisconsin , Indiana , Delaware , Maryland , and California . Information and awards of this service are exceptionally scarce and this has become an interesting collection area.

We are continually acquiring wonderful and rare original books, documents, antiques and implements. Below are photos and information. Inquiries welcomed.

1341. [lot 6 glass projection slides] U.S. Volunteer Life Saving Corps and other, Gorton-Pawtuxet, Rhode Island c.1910. Rare early set of six glass plate projection slides feature the a wonderful view of a woman standing beside a life ring of the U.S. Volunteer Life Saving Corps. On the rack is lettered “Gorton-Pawtuxet” [Rhode Island]. Also included are other slides of civilian life-saving type activities including lowering a lifeboat, a pulling boat with a red cross, which may be a U.S.V.L.S.S.C. first aid boat, and two other miscellaneous views of bathers and wagon bath houses lettered W. Singleton”, no doubt in the Watch Hill area. Slides measure 3 ¼” x 4” and present quite nice clear images. Light wear, one with broken corner. (VG). $44.

1545. (mounted photo) U. S. Volunteer Life Saving Corps. Station c.1900. Rare large mounted photo shows nicely the crew and building of the U. S. Volunteer Life Saving Corps. The U. S. Volunteer Life-Saving Corps. existed in a number of states and was an early supplement to the U. S. Life-Saving Service in some areas, manning lifeboats and providing life-saving services on the coast and on inland waters. The Service maintained branches in 15 states where there were no stations of the Government Life-Saving Service or the Humane Society. Information and awards of this service are exceptionally scarce and this has become an interesting collection area. Views include the members posing in front of station with life-saving equipment. Large image measure 4 ¾” x 6 ½” on 7” x 9” mount. Some marks from processing but do not detract. Rare close view. (VG). $56.

13423. (photo) U.S. Volunteer Life Saving Corps Station, New Hampshire c.1900. Nice close photo shows numerous boats and decorative bunting in front of the station of the U.S. Volunteer Life Saving Corps. One boat is named New Hampshire. This may be Rye Beach but can’t be sure. Would be interesting project to track this location down. Views of these rare stations are difficult to find. Measures 3 ¼” x 5 ½”. (VG). $24.

29369. (lot 7 glass negatives) U. S. Volunteer Life Saving Corps., Sheepshead Bay Station, New York c.1900. .Lot of seven rare clear glass plate negatives captures nicely the crew and building of the U. S. Volunteer Life Saving Corps. at Sheepshead Bay, NY. Sheepshead Bay is a bay separating the mainland of Brooklyn, New York City from the eastern portion of Coney Island, the latter originally a barrier island. The U. S. Volunteer Life-Saving Corps. existed in a number of states and was an early supplement to the U. S. Life-Saving Service in some areas, manning lifeboats and providing life-saving services on the coast and on inland waters. The Service maintained branches in 15 states where there were no stations of the Government Life-Saving Service or the Humane Society. Information and awards of this service are exceptionally scarce and this has become an interesting collection area. Views include the members posing in front of station with life-saving equipment. Large negative images measure 4” x 5” and are clear and close. There are some marks and wear to edges but do not detract. Would provide great clear images. (VG). $165.

11313. [receipt] U. S. Volunteer Life-Saving Corps., City of New York c.1903. Beautiful original engraved receipt for donation of fifteen dollars from a Massachusetts company. Signed and embossed, receipt is quite attractive and would be wonderful framed. Rare piece. (VG+). $48.

911a. THREE YOUNG HEROES – NEW YORK VOLUNTEER LIFE-SAVING CORPS. Harper’s Weekly. January 18, 1879. Superb half-page engraving of three young life-savers patrolling the wharves with lantern and ropes in hand. The U. S. Volunteer Life-Saving Corps existed in a number of states and was an early supplement to the U. S. Life-Saving Service in some areas, manning surfboats and providing life-saving services on the coast and on inland waters. A fine detailed engraving for framing. (VG). $18.

24367d na. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE UNITED STATES LIFE SAVING CORPS IN RHODE ISLAND, MADE TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT ITS JANUARY SESSION, 1906. Providence . 1906. 36 p. Soft wraps. Illustrated with photos. The U. S. Volunteer Life-Saving Corps. existed in a number of states and was an early supplement to the U. S. Life-Saving Service in some areas, manning lifeboats and providing life-saving services on the coast and on inland waters. The Service maintained branches in 15 states where there were no stations of the Government Life-Saving Service or the Humane Society. States where stations existed include New York , Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Connecticut , New Jersey , Pennsylvania , Ohio , Michigan , Illinois , Missouri , Wisconsin , Indiana , Delaware , Maryland , and California . Information and awards of this service are exceptionally scarce and this has become an interesting collection area. Offered is an interesting early report which includes names of organization members and their Rhode Island locations (Edgewood Yacht Club, Pawtuxet, Shawomet Beach, Phillipsdale, Esmond, Moswansicut, Woonsocket, Crescent (Amusement) Park, Olneyville, Blackamore Pond, Newport, Bristol, Rocky Point (Amusement Park), Block Island, Quonochontaug, Narragansett Pier, Warren, Mashpaug Pond, Edgewood Beach, Riverside, Lower Harbor, Greystone). Also included is the general report, first aid and drill work, efficiency, a report of an aged couple rescue of a swimmer from the sea, expenses, awards of rescue medals, inspection of apparatus, placing the apparatus and demonstrations, examination for membership, general explanation and methods recommended, resuscitation rules, and many very interesting instances of rescues performed. Scarce report on this little known organization. Clean, complete, light wear. Scarce first report. (VG). $85.

1086. (document) VOLUNTEER LIFE SAVING CORPS. OF NEW YORK AND INLAND WATERS. April 27,1895. Letter with envelope on official U.S. V. L. S. C. stationery includes lovely vignette of volunteer life-savers instructing bathers, as well as a second on the envelope of the Corps.’ membership badge. The U. S. Volunteer Life-Saving Corps. existed in a number of states and was an early supplement to the U. S. Life-Saving Service in some areas, manning lifeboats and providing life-saving services on the coast and on inland waters. The Service maintained branches in 15 states where there were no stations of the Government Life-Saving Service or the Humane Society. They state that the Corps was intended as an auxiliary to the U. S. Life Saving Service. States where stations existed include New York , Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Connecticut , New Jersey , Pennsylvania , Ohio , Michigan , Illinois , Missouri , Wisconsin , Indiana , Delaware , Maryland , and California . Information and awards of this service are exceptionally scarce and this has become an interesting collection area. Offered is an interesting early form letter (8” x 10 ½”) and envelope from President J. Wesley Jones, requesting listings of needed supplies, membership rosters. Document is clean, crisp, with original folds. Envelope postmarked May 3, 1895. Stamp has been cut from envelope, otherwise intact, light soiling. (VG-). $134.

2168. [document] U. S. Volunteer Life-Saving Corps. June 19, 1908. Typed letter on official stationery of the U. S. Volunteer Life-Saving Corps bears a reply by George A. Thormann, General Superintendent of the Corps to Mr. Marcus H. Holcomb, Attorney-General, Hartford, Conn. Attorney Holcomb had apparently requested a report on the organization. Superintendent Thormann explains that since the Corps is a humane institution for the purpose of organizing crews of volunteer life savers, that they do not fall under the Public Acts that Mr. Holcomb had referred. Document is clean and crisp and signed in the hand of General Superintendent Thormann. 8 ½" x 11", with original folds. (VG). $42.

21266. [dance program] Fourth Annual Masqueraded Ball, Voluntary Life Saving Service, City of New York . November 10, 1928 . The U. S. Volunteer Life-Saving Corps existed in a number of states and was an early supplement to the U. S. Life-Saving Service in some areas, manning surfboats and providing life-saving services on the coast and on inland waters. This dance program is from the City of New York , Richmond Division, and as expected lists the officers and surfmen of the various stations including the South Beach and Great Kills Stations, rescues performed over the year, the dance program, advertisements, and more. An important collectible from this little known service. Staple bound, light overall soiling but nicely intact. (VG-). $44 net.

907a,b,c. NEW YORK VOLUNTEER LIFE-SAVING CORPS – NEW STATION AT PIER TWENTY-EIGHT, EAST RIVER . Harper’s Weekly. April 19, 1879 . Superb half-page engraving showing interior and exterior views of the new East River station. Accompanying detailed half-page article describes the history and work of this little known society, modeled after the Royal Humane Society, as well as other similar societies around the world. A fine detailed engraving for framing. (VG). $32.

7299. na. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE UNITED STATES VOLUNTEER LIFE-SAVING CORPS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK For the Year Ending October 1, 1905. Albany . 1906. 98p. With 18 illustrations, this report contains wonderful information on this little known sister service. With branches in 15 states where there are no stations of the Government Life-Saving Service or the Humane Society, information on this service is exceptionally scarce. States where stations existed include New York , Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Connecticut , New Jersey , Pennsylvania , Ohio , Michigan , Illinois , Missouri , Wisconsin , Indiana , Delaware , Maryland , and California . Report includes an account of the work performed in each of the many states that it maintains stations, financial report, property, Rules and Regulations, listing of heroes and persons saved during the year, and accounts of many rescues performed. With fine photos of their ornate stations, medals and many of their heroes, this is an important reference and answers many questions that we have had for many years. (Spiral bound photocopy. $19.60.)

Page updated February 28, 2022

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