Object Details
- Description (Brief)
- 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.
- The Insurance Company of Florida of Jacksonville, Florida issued this fire mark in 1841. The Insurance Company of Florida lasted only a few years. The wooden initials “IF” are affixed to a shield-shaped wooden backing.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- maker
- unknown
- date made
- 1841
- Credit Line
- Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
- Physical Description
- wood (overall material)
- metal (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 12 5/8 in x 13 1/4 in; 32.0675 cm x 33.655 cm
- Object Name
- fire mark
