-40%

FIRE MARK TREE: Mutual Assurance (Insurance) Cast Iron Marker- PLAQUE/ SIGN

$ 47.51

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Refund will be given as: Money Back
  • Item must be returned within: 14 Days
  • Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
  • Restocking Fee: No
  • All returns accepted: Returns Accepted

    Description

    TREE
    FIRE MARK
    Benjamin Franklin, who founded the Philadelphia Contributionship, strongly believed that trees next to a house would attract lightning and thereby increase the risk of fire. Mutual Assurance of Philadelphia was founded in 1784 by 40 members of the Contributionship who didn't believe it was a problem to insure buildings surrounded by trees. Their mark bears a tree on it to reflect the willingness to cover these buildings.
    Mutual's original mark had a tree made out of lead and was mounted on a wood shield measuring "12.125" X 15.625".
    This mark is of heavy iron (over 4.5 lbs.) construction, measures approximately 7.5" X 11.0" and was an early John Wright casting
    . It appears to be custom casting as it has the letters W S at the bottom.
    It has significant chipping, paint loss and rust, giving it a nice vintage look and feel.
    This would make an excellent addition for any collector of firefighting or insurance company memorabilia, an agent/broker, or a company employee or retiree.
    American insurance company's fire marks were placed on the exterior of a house and were intended to discourage malicious arson by showing that the owner would not greatly suffer if the building were destroyed. Additionally, the mark stood as a guarantee to fire brigades that the insurance company which insured the house in question would reward handsomely the brigade extinguishing a blaze on the premises.
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