Item description for FIRE MARK F.I.Co-Firemen's Insurance of Baltimore Pumper Plaque-1838 MARKER/SIGN

Firemen's Insurance Company of Baltimore

The Firemen's Insurance Company of Baltimore was formed in 1825. It adopted as its mark, a double decker hand operated pumper that required 30 men to pump less than two gallons of water per stroke. The original mark was issued in 1835, had wheels with twelve spokes and at 13.0" X 14.0", it was the largest of any mark in America. Insureds were charged $1.25 for the first mark, replacements were free, and the mark had to be returned to the company when the policy was discontinued.

This F.I.Co. Pumper Fire Mark has the number 1838 at the top of it and measures approximately 7.0" X 13.5". It is of cast metal (non ferrous) construction and was made by the Sexton Company. The mark has a nice vintage look to it with some paint chipping/loss on the front. Design is one that is not regularly seen for sale. This would make a great addition for any fire mark, fire fighting 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.