RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
Mutual Assurance Company Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1803
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: board: 14 in x 9 3/4 in; 35.56 cm x 24.765 cm
tree: 11 1/2 in x 8 1/2 in; 29.21 cm x 21.59 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Mutual Assurance Company for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania issued this fire mark for policy number 1588 in 1802. This Mutual fire mark consists of a leaden image of a tree nailed to an oval-shaped wooden board. The policy “No. 1588” can be faintly seen at the trunk of the tree. The Mutual was founded in 1784 by former policyholders of the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire. The Philadelphia Contributionship decided that buildings with trees in front of them posed a fire hazard and would no longer be insured. Since trees were abundant in early Philadelphia, this decision created a rift in the Contributionship. The Mutual was founded to provide insurance to those members whose buildings had trees. The adoption of the “Green Tree” as the company’s fire mark was a nod to the dispute that led to the Mutual’s founding.
Mutual Assurance Company Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1803
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: board: 14 in x 9 1/2 in; 35.56 cm x 24.13 cm
tree: 11 1/2 in x 8 1/2 in; 29.21 cm x 21.59 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Mutual Assurance Company for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania issued this fire mark for policy number 1577 in 1803. This Mutual fire mark consists of a leaden image of a tree painted red nailed to an oval-shaped wooden board. The policy “No. 1577” can be faintly seen at the trunk of the tree. The Mutual was founded in 1784 by former policyholders of the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire. The Philadelphia Contributionship decided that buildings with trees in front of them posed a fire hazard and would no longer be insured. Since trees were abundant in early Philadelphia, this decision created a rift in the Contributionship. The Mutual was founded to provide insurance to those members whose buildings had trees. The adoption of the “Green Tree” as the company’s fire mark was a nod to the dispute that led to the Mutual’s founding.
Mutual Assurance Company Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1803
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: board: 14 5/8 in x 9 3/4 in; 37.1475 cm x 24.765 cm
tree: 11 3/4 in x 8 1/2 in; 29.845 cm x 21.59 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Mutual Assurance Company for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania issued this fire mark for policy number 1372 in 1803. This Mutual fire mark consists of a leaden image of a tree nailed to an oval-shaped wooden board. The policy “No. 1372” can be faintly seen at the trunk of the tree. The Mutual was founded in 1784 by former policyholders of the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire. The Philadelphia Contributionship decided that buildings with trees in front of them posed a fire hazard and would no longer be insured. Since trees were abundant in early Philadelphia, this decision created a rift in the Contributionship. The Mutual was founded to provide insurance to those members whose buildings had trees. The adoption of the “Green Tree” as the company’s fire mark was a nod to the dispute that led to the Mutual’s founding.
Mutual Assurance Company Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1805
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: cast iron (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 13 1/2 in x 9 1/2 in; 34.29 cm x 24.13 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Mutual Assurance Company for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania issued this cast iron flat back fire mark in 1805. This Mutual fire mark is made of cast iron, featuring a raised image of a tree with leaves painted green in the center of an oval. The Mutual was founded in 1784 by former policyholders of the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire. The Philadelphia Contributionship decided that buildings with trees in front of them posed a fire hazard and would no longer be insured. Since trees were abundant in early Philadelphia, this decision created a rift in the Contributionship. The Mutual was founded to provide insurance to those members whose buildings had trees. The adoption of the “Green Tree” as the company’s fire mark was a nod to the dispute that led to the Mutual’s founding.
[None]
Mutual Assurance Company Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: ca 1810
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: cast iron (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 12 1/2 in x 8 1/2 in; 31.75 cm x 21.59 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Mutual Assurance Company for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania issued this fire mark around 1810. This Mutual fire mark is made of cast iron, featuring a raised image of a tree in the center of an oval. The rim of the mark has been chipped. The Mutual was founded in 1784 by former policyholders of the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire. The Philadelphia Contributionship decided that buildings with trees in front of them posed a fire hazard and would no longer be insured. Since trees were abundant in early Philadelphia, this decision created a rift in the Contributionship. The Mutual was founded to provide insurance to those members whose buildings had trees. The adoption of the “Green Tree” as the company’s fire mark was a nod to the dispute that led to the Mutual’s founding.
[None]
Mutual Assurance Company Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: ca 1806
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: cast iron (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 12 13/16 in x 8 7/8 in; 32.54375 cm x 22.5425 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Mutual Assurance Company for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania issued this cast iron flat back fire mark around 1806. This Mutual fire mark is made of cast iron, featuring a raised image of a tree in the center of an oval. The mark has been painted an off-white, and a policy number can be faintly seen by the trunk of the tree. The Mutual was founded in 1784 by former policyholders of the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire. The Philadelphia Contributionship decided that buildings with trees in front of them posed a fire hazard and would no longer be insured. Since trees were abundant in early Philadelphia, this decision created a rift in the Contributionship. The Mutual was founded to provide insurance to those members whose buildings had trees. The adoption of the “Green Tree” as the company’s fire mark was a nod to the dispute that led to the Mutual’s founding.
Mutual Assurance Company Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1806
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: cast iron (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 12 3/4 in x 8 3/4 in; 32.385 cm x 22.225 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Mutual Assurance Company for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania issued this cast iron flat back fire mark around 1806. This Mutual fire mark is made of cast iron, featuring a raised image of a tree in the center of an oval. The fire mark has suffered corrosion and deterioration. The Mutual was founded in 1784 by former policyholders of the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire. The Philadelphia Contributionship decided that buildings with trees in front of them posed a fire hazard and would no longer be insured. Since trees were abundant in early Philadelphia, this decision created a rift in the Contributionship. The Mutual was founded to provide insurance to those members whose buildings had trees. The adoption of the “Green Tree” as the company’s fire mark was a nod to the dispute that led to the Mutual’s founding.
[None]
Mutual Assurance Company Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1810
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: cast iron (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 12 1/2 in x 8 1/2 in; 31.75 cm x 21.59 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Mutual Assurance Company for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania issued this cast iron hollow back fire mark around 1810. This Mutual fire mark is made of cast iron, featuring a raised image of a tree in the center of an oval. The Mutual was founded in 1784 by former policyholders of the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire. The Philadelphia Contributionship decided that buildings with trees in front of them posed a fire hazard and would no longer be insured. Since trees were abundant in early Philadelphia, this decision created a rift in the Contributionship. The Mutual was founded to provide insurance to those members whose buildings had trees. The adoption of the “Green Tree” as the company’s fire mark was a nod to the dispute that led to the Mutual’s founding.
[None]
Mutual Assurance Company Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1810
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: cast iron (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 12 1/4 in x 8 3/8 in; 31.115 cm x 21.2725 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Mutual Assurance Company for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania issued this cast iron hollow back fire mark around 1810. This Mutual fire mark is made of cast iron, featuring a raised image of a tree in the center of an oval. The tree has been painted green. The Mutual was founded in 1784 by former policyholders of the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire. The Philadelphia Contributionship decided that buildings with trees in front of them posed a fire hazard and would no longer be insured. Since trees were abundant in early Philadelphia, this decision created a rift in the Contributionship. The Mutual was founded to provide insurance to those members whose buildings had trees. The adoption of the “Green Tree” as the company’s fire mark was a nod to the dispute that led to the Mutual’s founding.
Philadelphia Insurance Company Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1804
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: shield: 16 1/4 in x 11 5/8 in; 41.275 cm x 29.5275 cm
eagle: 9 3/4 in x 8 in x 1 in; 24.765 cm x 20.32 cm x 2.54 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Philadelphia Insurance Company issued this fire mark for policy number 9 to a building on 29-31 Saint Mary’s Street (now Rodman Street, near Sixth Street) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804. The mark consists of the image of a dove with an olive branch in its beak alighting upon a hand. This hollow-backed lead image is attached to a wooden shield-shaped board. This mark is the only Philadelphia Insurance Company fire mark known to be in existence. The Philadelphia Insurance Company was founded in 1804 and disbanded in 1844.
[None]
65 Dollars, Continental Congress, 1779
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: paper money
note
date made: 1779-01-14
1779
maker: Continental Congress
Hall & Sellers
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 70 mm x 90 mm; 2 3/4 in x 3 9/16 in
Credit line: Numismatic & Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
NNC Continental Currency
Baltimore Equitable Society Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1807
maker: unknown
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
cast iron (overall material)
Measurements: board: 10 3/8 in x 12 3/4 in; 26.3525 cm x 32.385 cm
hands: 4 3/4 in x 9 in; 12.065 cm x 22.86 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Publisher: McCosker, M.J.. The Historical Collection of Insurance Company of North America
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Baltimore Equitable Society of Baltimore, Maryland issued this fire mark to Thomas Mortimer for a two story brick dwelling on the south side of York Street, between Forrest and Goodman Streets, on May 20, 1807. The mark consists of a rectangular wooden board with two iron clasped hands at the top. The Baltimore Equitable Society was founded in 1794 and is still in operation today. The “Sign of the Clasped Hands” fire mark is still available from the Baltimore Equitable Society, and comes in cast aluminum that is painted black overall, with hands and numbering in gold.
[None]
fabric sample
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fabric sample
date made: 18th century
Measurements: overall: 37 1/2 in x 20 7/8 in; 95.25 cm x 53.0225 cm
Charleston Mutual Insurance Company Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: ca 1798
maker: unknown
Physical Description: cast iron (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 9 5/8 in x 7 3/4 in; 24.4475 cm x 19.685 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Charleston Mutual Insurance Company of Charleston, South Carolina issued this fire mark around 1798. The mark features a raised image of an angel bringing rain and pouring water over a burning city, with an overhead text that reads “MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY.” The Charleston Mutual Insurance Company operated from 1797 until 1806.
Whale Bone Seam Rubber
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: seam rubber
date made: 1800s
Physical Description: panbone (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 4 1/8 in x 1 1/2 in x 5/8 in; 10.4775 cm x 3.81 cm x 1.5875 cm
Credit line: Gift of Frank Westerberger
Publisher: National Museum of American History. On the Water exhibition website, http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater
Topics: Manufacturing industries
Industrialization
Art
Transportation
Ecology
On the Water exhibit
Description: Seam rubbers were part of a sail maker’s tool kit. They were used to smooth and flatten the seams of heavy canvas sailcloth, where two pieces were joined or the edges were hemmed before they were sewn. This unusually large example was probably carved from the panbone, part of a whale’s jaw.