Cast Iron Tree Fire Mark Mutual Assurance of Philadelphia Insurance Plaque 10.5”

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The object is a cast iron fire mark from the Mutual Assurance Company of Philadelphia, dating back to around 1806. Additional information: It is a plaque that was affixed to insured buildings as proof of insurance and to alert firefighters. The design features a raised image of a tree, which references a dispute that led to the company's founding. The Mutual Assurance Company was established in 1784 after the Philadelphia Contributionship decided not to insure buildings with trees, leading to a division among policyholders. Fire marks like this one were typically made of cast iron and displayed prominently on buildings. The colors were usually gold on a black background to ensure visibility