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 Mobile Fire Department Insurance Company of Mobile, Alabama issued this fire mark around 1866-1879. This oval cast iron fire mark features a profile view of a typical firefighter’s helmet, with a front shield and rear brim. Below the helmet features the text “MFD/ICo.” The Mobile Fire Department Insurance Company operated from 1866 until 1879.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- maker
- unknown
- date made
- 1866-1879
- Credit Line
- Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
- Physical Description
- cast iron (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 7 3/8 in x 11 7/8 in; 18.7325 cm x 30.1625 cm
- Object Name
- fire mark
