Description: From a Tucson Country Club estate is this period original mid 19th century oval zinc fire mark for the City Mutual Fire Insurance Company of St. Louis. City Mutual operated in Missouri from 1861 to 1878, these proprietary fire marks apparently dating from its Civil War era beginnings. Well, that's what it says on the Smithsonian National Museum of American History website. The offered example is well cast of zinc, with a raised rim and lettering "CITY / MUTUAL" to center. There are two holes cast or punched at the longitudinal ends for affixing to a house or commercial building facade. This one genuinely served, as there are ancient crusty remains of grayish white house paint overlying even earlier red paint still adhered on and around the raised lettering - also patinated signs of period mounting at the holes. There is an old inscription written to verso - perhaps "HH Cheeluet" (see photos). Real antique American zinc fire marks like this one are not common. Only 18 of the 320 or so American insurers who issued fire marks made them from zinc - of these, 13 were the small companies ( including City Mutual) in St. Louis. Keep in mind even the largest of these early St. Louis insurance companies protected no more than a couple of hundred subscribers. Attrition from time, circumstance, and ill advised urban renewal during the 1960's and 1970's has greatly whittled the number of surviving marks. There are two City Mutual survivors shown on the Smithsonian website, one with the red paint and another with no paint and a chunk missing. That pair and the present one aside, I don't know where you might see let alone acquire another. Condition is quite fine for the age and use with a distinct aura of time to the untouched surfaces. Be aware I have avoided every urge to refresh away or “improve” upon anything - you want that done you do it. That said, all appropriate and expected signs of long exposure are readily evident. The weathered well adhered remnants of paint validate service on a structure. A look at the pics should give a good idea of appearance and condition. Size is about 7 7/8 in. horizontal and 5 3/4 in. vertical. If you collect historic American firefighting related antiques or simply wish a single genuine and scarce 19th Century Mound City fire mark for a relevant display, this will have great meaning for you. . inkfrog terapeak
Price: 949.99 USD
Location: Tucson, Arizona
End Time: 2024-08-09T01:38:04.000Z
Shipping Cost: 7.5 USD
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Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
