Lexington Fire, Life and Marine 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 Lexington Fire, Life and Marine Insurance Company issued cast iron fire mark around 1845. The oval mark has a beaded rim with an indented image of a spread-winged eagle, with indented text that reads “INSURED/L.F.I.” The Lexington Fire, Life and Marine Insurance Company operated from 1836 until around 1872.

Date Made: ca 1845

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: 2005.0233.0556Accession Number: 2005.0233Catalog Number: 2005.0233.0556

Object Name: fire mark

Physical Description: cast iron (overall material)Measurements: overall: 8 3/4 in x 11 1/2 in; 22.225 cm x 29.21 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-40dc-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1343165

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