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Charleston Fire Insurance Company
The
Charleston Fire Insurance Company of Charleston, South Carolina was
founded in 1811 and issued their first fire mark shortly after that.
Their oval mark was made of iron and consists of an inner image of
intact buildings on the left, and buildings engulfed in flames on the
right. A figure of Athena guarded the intact buildings from the fire
and had a shield by her feet emblazoned with a Palmetto tree. There
was a text above the intact building that read, “RESTORED.” The
outer rim bears the text “CHARLESTON FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.” The
Charleston Fire Insurance Company ceased doing business in 1896.
This
listing is for a nice mark/plaque which measures approximately 6.675"
X 9.125", is of cast iron ( 3.0 lbs.) construction with mounting
holes on each side and the top. This Fire Mark was cast by John
Wright for the Historic Charleston Foundation. The mark is in good
condition with some chipping and minor rust, which gives it a great
vintage look. This mark is rare and not one of the ones that is
regularly seen up for sale. This is a very nice item, and it would
make an excellent addition for fire mark, firefighting, or insurance
memorabilia collectors.
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.
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