Franklin 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 Franklin Insurance Company of St. Louis, Missouri issued this zinc fire mark around 1855. The shield-shaped mark has raised text that reads “FRANKLIN/INSURANCE/Co./ST.LOUIS.” The fire mark has been painted green, which is faded in some areas. The Franklin Insurance Company operated from 1855 until 1906.

Date Made: ca 1855

Maker: unknown

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: Missouri

Subject: 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: 2005.0233.0529Accession Number: 2005.0233Catalog Number: 2005.0233.0529

Object Name: fire mark

Physical Description: zinc (overall material)Measurements: overall: 5 5/8 in x 7 3/8 in; 14.2875 cm x 18.7325 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-6cb2-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1342760

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