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 Missouri State Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company issued this zinc fire mark around 1849. The oval mark has raised text that reads, “MISSOURI / STATE / MUTUAL.” The mark has damage in the areas where it would have been attached to the building. The Missouri State Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company operated from 1849 until 1907.
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