Great American Fire Marks Collection
The Franklin Mint
Sponsored and presented by The National Fire Museum, this collection recreates fifteen of the most prized and historic original Fire Marks. They are crafted in fine pewter and the raised images are hand-painted in brilliant color. The marks range in size from approximately 2.25"-2.5" by 3.25"-3.5". The fire mark in this listing represent the following company:
.
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 Mark is approximately 2.0" X 3.25" and is cast pewter construction with the four interlocking hands. It is in good condition with a nice vintage look and feel about them.
A must for any Firefighter, or Insurance Memorabilia Collector
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 suffer greatly if the building was 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.