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REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

September, 1929

Firemarks of Philadelphia-1752 to 1871

By LINDEN T. HARRIS
Assistant Secretary Mutual Assurance Co. for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire

F course the Realtors of Philadelphia are always interested in new houses or operations, but it is upon the subject of old properties and their firemarks that this article is written. It might be well right at the start to explain to those who do not know, just what firemarks really are. From 1752 until 1871 the old fire insurance companies in PhilaclIphia (and throughout America) nailed emblems of wood, lead or iron upon properties insured by them to designate to the volunteer firemen just what houses they insured. Upon arriving at a fire the volunteer firemen would note what insurance office or company insured that particular building, and then when the blaze had been extinguished would call upon that company to contribute to its members or give a substantial sum toward new apparatus. The idea of the firemark originated in London in 1680 at the Fire Office there and subsequently spread to Amercia. In 1752 the first American fire insurance company was founded by Benjamin Franklin right here in Philadelphia under the name of the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire. Their deed of settlement was patterned after that of the Amicable Contributionship of London; the firemark of both companies being leaden clasped hands. Two fine examples of the mark of this company can still be seen upon the front of Carpenters Hall, and were placed there about 1770. It shows plainly the old leaden hands nailed upon a board of fancy design. The illustration, No. 1, is one of these marks. Today not more than a half dozen firemarks of this company remain on the old buildings. The Contributionship is still actively engaged in writing policies at 212 South Fourth Street, Philadelphia. The Mutual Assurance Company for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire commonly known as the "Green Tree," was organized in 1784, being an offspring of the Contributionship. About forty members of the latter company withdrew to form the Green Tree, because the seven-year policy of the old Contributionship forbid insuring houses with green trees nearby. The firemark of the Mutual Assurance was thus a green treea leaden one on a wooden shield. Not

more than three of these wooden shields still remain on the buildings of the city. Possibly one of the best examples of this mark can still be seen attached to the new building of the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, 127 South Fifth Street, Philadelphia. This firemark was taken off of the old Philadelphia Dispensary building which occupied the same site. About 1800 the Green Tree started to make large all iron marks and the wooden ones were shortly thereafter discontinued. This company is still writing perpetual fire insurance at 240 South Fourth Street, Philadelphia. Plate No. 2 represents a mark of this company. Early in 1792 the Insurance Company of North America was founded, but it was not until 1794 that the fire insurance branch of their business was instituted. Their first firemark was a six-pointed leaden star on a wooden shield. These were issued for about a year or two when the firemark (illustration No. 3) was issued. As can be seen it is a leaden eagle on a wooden shield. There are but two of these wooden shield marks of this company known. Subsequently a copper firemark was issued and in 1830 an iron eagle appeared. None are on buildings anywhere in Philadelphia, but one can still be seen on the old Bell House of the Moravian School at Bethlehem, Pa. In 1804 the Philadelphia Insurance Company was incorporated and its office was located at the southwest corner Second and Dock Streets, Philadelphia. In 1844 it dissolved. The leaden dove on a wooden shield shown (No. 4) was its only firemark which is now exceedingly rare. In 1817 the Fire Association of Philadelphia was organized by the union of a number of old volunteer fire companies who took its stock. It has issued twelve variants of the hydrant and the hoseten of iron, one of lead and one of brass. There is pictured No. 5, its brass variety which is scarce. This company is still actively engaged in underwriting at the northwest corner Fourth and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia. A firemark of this company can still be seen upon Independence Hall. The Hope Fire Insurance Company of Philadel(Text continued on page fifty-four) (Illustrations on opposite page)

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REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE FIREMARKS OF PHILADELPHIA, 1752-1871

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Firemarks of Philadelphia
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phia was founded in 1854 and only lasted until 1860. The oval iron firemark listed (No. 6) is about 30 inches in circumference and but a few remain since the company was in business a short duration. The Guardian Fire Insurance Company was founded in Philadelphia in 1857 with an office at 426 Walnut Street. It ceased to underwrite in 1871. Illustration No. 7 shows the firemark of the Guardian. About two or three of these marks still exist. They are of iron and a guardian angel can be plainly seen upon its face. The United Firemen's Insurance Company of Philadelphia was founded in 1860. It has issued five variantsfour are of iron and one of zinc. Some of the iron plates of this company have the name spelled in full while others just have the initials of the company. This company is still active in the Philadelphia insurance district and is located at the corner of Fifth and Walnut Streets. No. 8, is the firemark of this company. The Lumbermens Insurance Company of Philadelphia (No. 9) was founded in 1873 and is still actively engaged in business. Its firemarks were of iron with but a few zinc ones issued. These marks can still be seen throughout Philadelphia and are not rare coinpared with other marks. The Mutual Fire insurance Company of Germantown and Vicinity founded in 1843 and still in business, issued a few years ago the advertising sign or firemark (No. 10). This is the first mark ever issued by this company. It might be well in closing this short article on firemarks to say that in Philadelphia today some of the best collections of firemarks from ail over America have been gathered. Possibly the finest collection is that owned by the Insurance Company of North America; while Harold V. Smith, vice-president of the Franklin Fire Insurance Company; Harrold E. Gillingham; Robert R. Dearden, Jr, and others possess fine collections. It is needless to say that with the anxiety shown by the various collectors in getting marks the price has proportionately risen. Firemarks were purchased a few years ago for a five-dollar bill that today command big money. It is the demand and the scarcity that always drives prices of antiques skyward. All of the above collections mentioned in this sketch can be seen if the public care to call upon the owners.