Union Insurance Company Fire Mark

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.

Description (Brief)

The Union Insurance Company of Charleston, South Carolina issued this fire mark sometime between 1807 and 1839. The oval mark is made of cast iron. In the foreground is the image of two hands shaking, and in the background there is an intact building to the left, and a building engulfed in flames to the right. There is a text above the intact building that reads, “RESTORED.” The outer rim bears the text “UNION INSURANCE COMP.” The Union Insurance Company of Charleston operated from 1807 until 1839.

Date Made: 1807-1839

Maker: unknown

Location: Currently not on view

Classified: Fire FightingSubject: Insurance

Subject:

See more items in: Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement, Cultures & Communities, Advertising, Work, Firefighting Collection, Fire Marks

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Related Publication: McCosker, M.J.. The Historical Collection of Insurance Company of North America

Credit Line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 2005.0233.0465Accession Number: 2005.0233Catalog Number: 2005.0233.0465

Object Name: fire mark

Physical Description: cast iron (overall material)Measurements: overall: 9 1/2 in x 7 7/8 in; 24.13 cm x 20.0025 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-6975-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1342259

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