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Fire Association of Philadelphia Fire Mark

unknown

Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.

Date

1850

Type

fire mark

Medium

cast iron (overall material)

Department

NMAH

Institution

National Museum of American History

Object number

nmah_1341813

Credit

Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection