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 1887 the company retired from business and re-insured in the German American Insurance Company of New York

The original Pennsylvania Insurance mark was made of tin and measured 8.0" X 4.75". This mark is of metal (non-ferrous) construction measuring approximately 7 5/8" X 4 5/8" and was cast by John Wright. The mark says Pennsylvania Ins. Co. in gold lettering and trim on a red background. It has a rough rustic surface with minimal paint loss and aging, giving it a nice vintage look and feel. Smaller fire mark which is not seen as frequently as the larger design. 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.