Hope Mutual Fire 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 Hope Mutual Fire Insurance Company of St. Louis was active from 1857 until 1901, when it was purchased by the National Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut. The shield-shaped fire mark is made of zinc, with an anchor in its center. The mark has a raised rim and raised lettering that reads “HOPE/MUTUAL.”

Date Made: 1857

Maker: unknown

Location: Currently not on view

Subject: Insurance

Subject:

See more items in: Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement, Cultures & Communities, Work, Advertising, 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: 2005.0233.0040Accession Number: 2005.0233Catalog Number: 2005.0233.0040

Object Name: fire mark

Physical Description: zinc (overall material)Measurements: overall: 3 3/4 in x 6 in; 9.525 cm x 15.24 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-a135-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1347928

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