Item description for PENNSYLVANIA INS Mutual Live Stock Co Pittsburg-Fire Insurance R IRON MARK/SIGN

PENNSYLVANIA INSURANCE

The Pennsylvania Mutual Live Stock Company was chartered April 6, 1852. On February 17, 1854, a special act of the state legislature changed the name to the Pennsylvania Insurance Company of Pittsburgh. In 1891 the company retired from business, though its corporate powers were not dissolved by the courts.

The original Pennsylvania Insurance mark was made of tin and measured 8.0" X 4.75". This mark is of heavy (almost 5 lbs,) cast iron construction measuring approximately 10.875" X 7.50" and was from Wayne's Iron. The mark says Pennsylvania Ins. Co. in white lettering on a red background with whitish trim. It has a rough rustic surface with paint loss and rusting, giving it a nice vintage look and feel. This would make an excellent addition for any collector of firefighting or insurance memorabilia.

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.