Fire
Department Insurance Company of Cincinnati
The
Fire Department’s Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio was
established in 1837 when the volunteer fire engine companies in
Cincinnati started an insurance company for the benefit of the
department. Each fireman could hold only 50 shares personally, and
each fire company could hold no more that 1,500 shares though its
individual members or by itself. Ten percent of the dividend was
given to the Fire Association of Cincinnati to create a fund for the
relief of sick or disabled firemen.
The
company of issued their fire mark around 1837. This oblong oval cast
iron fire mark features a raised central image of a double-decker
hand pumped fire engine. It measured 7.875” X 6.125” and was of
cast iron construction.
This
sale is for a fire pumper mark measuring
approximately 9.75" X 9.25" and is of heavy (almost 5.5 lbs.) cast
iron construction. It has the VM
(with the Betty Lamp image in the middle) mark of the well known
Virginia Metalcrafters on the back. The
mark is in good condition with noticeable paint loss and rust,
which adds to its vintage look and feel.
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.
