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 Michigan Central Insurance Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan issued this tinned sheet iron fire mark around 1865. The rectangular mark has a rounded top, and bears the raised text “MICH. CENTRAL/INS. CO. /KALAMAZOO.” The company operated from 1864 until around 1867.
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