Firemen's Insurance Company 

Washington

The Firemen's Insurance Company of District of Columbia & Georgetown was founded in 1837 in Washington, DC and is presently still in operation under the name Firemen’s Insurance Company of Washington. They issued their fire mark in 1838. The circular cast iron mark has a raised image of a Philadelphia-style double-deck end stroke engine in the center, with a raised text above that reads “Firemen’s I. Co.” This mark is similar to that of the Firemen's Insurance Company of Baltimore, Maryland.

This is a very heavy iron (over 12 lbs.) fire mark measuring approximately 13.0" x 14.0". 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. A rarer fire mark that is not general 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.