hard to find and highly collectible late 19th century american interior hotel room "lee portable fire-escape" with original lithographed enameled tin canister containing highly detailed and visually striking imagery. the "lee portable" was designed and patented in the 1880's by ogden g. lee, of poughkeepsie, ny. the contents of the cylindrical can includes a pressed steel handbrake, lengthy reinforced rope, riveted joint friction-cylinder, steel guide pin and copper riveted harness or belt. the crude apparatus provided a cheap, simple, and reliable fire-escape, by means of which one or more persons could safely lower themselves from the window or roof of a burning building with perfect ease and safety. the fire-escape apparatus was manufactured by the lee hotel fire escape co., poughkeepsie, ny. one begins the escape by attaching an eyebolt or clutch to the top or side of the window. the rope is uncoiled (passing through the hand to remove kinks) and dropped out the window to the ground. the belt or harness is placed around the body (under the arms). with the handbrake held firmly in place, one slips off the window sill, and when free and clear of obstructions, loosens the hold on the brake, beginning the controlled descent. the rate or speed of descent is regulated by applying pressure to the handbrake. a person on the ground holding the end of the rope can assist in the rate of descent as well. surface wear expected with age. only one available.