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 City Mutual Fire Insurance Company of St. Louis, Missouri issued this zinc fire mark around 1861. The oval mark features raised text that reads “CITY/MUTUAL.” The fire mark has been damaged on its left side. The City Mutual Fire Insurance Company operated in St. Louis from 1861 until 1878.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- maker
- unknown
- date made
- ca 1861
- Credit Line
- Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
- Physical Description
- zinc (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 5 3/4 in x 8 in; 14.605 cm x 20.32 cm
- Object Name
- fire mark
