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Firemark of the Mutual Assurance Company of Philadelphia, circa 1827

Description
From the collection of Milton Celsnick of Penn's Landing, Philadelphia. The Mutual Assurance Company of Phildelphia was founded in 1784, as the second mutual fire insurance company in the city. The company was organized by former policyholders of The Philadelphia Contributionship which decided not to insure any buildings that had trees on the property as it was felt the trees presented a fire hazard. The firemark selected by The Mutual Assurance Company was a tree in full foliage and the company quickly became known as The Green Tree. The first firemarks issued were in wood, but after 1803 they were made in cast iron. Not more than three dozen of this squat version are known.