Home Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company Fire Mark

Home Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company Fire Mark

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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.
The Home Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company of St. Louis, Missouri issued this zinc fire mark around 1845. The rectangular mark has inversely rounded edges, with the image of two clasped hands shaking in the center, and raised text on the top and bottom that reads “HOME/MUTUAL.” The Home Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company operated from 1845 until 1880.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
fire mark
date made
ca 1845
maker
unknown
place made
United States: Missouri
Physical Description
zinc (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 4 3/4 in x 6 1/2 in; 12.065 cm x 16.51 cm
ID Number
2005.0233.0531
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0531
Credit Line
Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
subject
Insurance
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
Cultures & Communities
Advertising
Work
Firefighting Collection
Fire Marks
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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