FIRE MARK TREE: Mutual Assurance (Insurance) Cast Armetale PLAQUE/ SIGN

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. The
original mark had a tree made out of lead and was mounted on a wood shield.
This tree mark/plaque is of cast armetale construction, measuring approximately 7.125" X 10.750" and was cast by Wilton. The mark has an unpainted surface which has a silver/pewter look and feel to it.
A rarer mark that is not regularly seen. Check out our listing for other armetale fire marks.
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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