Charleston Mutual 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 Charleston Mutual Insurance Company of Charleston, South Carolina issued this fire mark around 1798. The mark features a raised image of an angel bringing rain and pouring water over a burning city, with an overhead text that reads “MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY.” The Charleston Mutual Insurance Company operated from 1797 until 1806.

Date Made: ca 1798

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:

Credit Line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 2005.0233.0467Accession Number: 2005.0233Catalog Number: 2005.0233.0467

Object Name: fire mark

Physical Description: cast iron (overall material)Measurements: overall: 9 5/8 in x 7 3/4 in; 24.4475 cm x 19.685 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b2-4861-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1342347

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