Lot 1829

Description

Great Britain, Fire mark of the Bristol Fire Office c.1800's in tin (22cm x 17cm)(cf.Bulau.644); another, Norwich Union in copper (cf.Bulau.719). Good. (2)

The first insurance companies that were formed in the 1700's relied on volunteer fire companies to put out fires in the buildings of those they insured. The fire marks were placed to discourage arson attacks by showing that building owners would not suffer greatly if the building was destroyed by fire. They were also a statement that the insurance company would reward the brigade for extinguishing the fire. Fire mark designs ranged from very simple to quite elaborate.