Posted 11 years ago
uppereye
(29 items)
THIS IS ANOTHER ITEM I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT, IT LOOKS LIKE A FIRE DEPT SIGN. IT IS MADE OF HEAVY METAL AND THERE ARE NO MAKINGS ON THE BACK.
FIRE MARK Germantown Mutual Fire Insurance Company Cast Ironl Marker PLAQUE | ||
| Signs2673 of 4865 |  |  |
Looks like a modern made decorator piece-- photos of the back should confirm.
scott
I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE
I found this> Mystery solved
GERMANTOWN MUTUAL FIRE
Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Germantown and Vicinity", Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was chartered in 1843 and their mark had the hand-in-hand symbol.
This mark is of cast metal constuction measuring approximately 10.5" X 7.5". It is black in color with the wording Germantown Mutual Fire in gold lettering, two gold hands with red cuffs shaking and the date 1843. The mark and paint are in very good condition.
This is a nice, not usually seen piece which would make a great addition to any firemark, firefighting or insurance memorabilia collection. This is a must for any insurance employee, retiree, agent-broker, 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 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.
Lots of these repros out there-- also similar ones made with other logos. They are a popular decorator item.
scott