Lot #110: Akron Brass Company - "I.N.A. 1792 Fire Mark" The Insurance Company of North America

The Insurance Company of North America issued an eagle fire mark from 1796 until 1800. The INA commissioned these marks from sculptor Claudius Francis LeGrand, and paid him $512 for 256 fire marks. Starting in 1796, INA offered their policyholders a choice between their previous star-shaped mark (which cost $1.33) and the eagle mark (which cost $2.00). This fire mark consisted of a leaden image of a spread-winged eagle arising from a cloud, affixed to a wooden oval.Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customers policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholders home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.