Item description for UF FIRE MARK: United Firemen's Insurance Co of Philadelphia Plaque- MARKER/SIGN

United Firemen's Insurance Co of Philadelphia

The United Firemen's Insurance Company of Philadelphia was incorporated in 1860 by a group of 28 fire and hose companies, many of which were the first purchasers of the new steam engine. When they issued their first fire mark in 1862, they even decided to use a steam engine on it. This oval mark was of cast iron construction and measured 11.75” X 9.0”.

This mark is of heavy (5.5 lbs.) iron construction, measuring approximately 11.1/8" X 8 3/4" and is an early casting was by the well known Virginia Metalcrafters, with their VM (Betty Lamp between the letters) makers mark. It has a rough/rustic surface with limited paint loss and rust/patina, which adds to the marks vintage look and feel. It is a black mark with a raised Red Steam Engine and raised Gold letters U and P on each side. It is in very good condition with some paint loss, chipping and some rusting, which adds to the vintage/antique look and feel of its appearance.

This would make an excellent addition for any collector of firefighting or insurance memorabilia, an agent/broker, or a insurance company employee/retiree.

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.