Fire Mark Pumper: Fire Department Insurance and 39 similar items

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. Shipping Info Shipping Handling Charges are indicated below. ECONOMY USA S H of $15.95 applies to this item INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS CONTACT US FOR RATES. International buyers please note the following: International Shipping is available with appropriate charge. Please contact us about what the charge would be based on your location. Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying. RETURNS: The refund will be based on the purchase price excluding the original shipping, handling and material expense fees. Powered by SixBit's eCommerce Solution