The Fire Mark Circle. Catalogue of FIRE MARKS and FIRE MEMORABILIA Illustrating the history of Fire Insurance and Fire Brigades

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sold by auction after the Annual General

1 The Fire Mark Circle Founded 1934 Catalogue of FIRE MARKS and FIRE MEMORABILIA Illustrating the history of Fire Insurance and Fire Brigades To be sold by auction after the Annual General Meeting at the FIRE MARK CIRCLE SPRING MEETING to be held at THE CHARTERED INSURANCE INSTITUTE 20 ALDERMANBURY LONDON EC2V 7HY on Wednesday 21st April 2010

2 AUCTION NOTES Auction Co-ordinator: Auctioneer: Russell Maclean Nick Drewe Condition and Description The condition of the marks is given in accordance of the FMC standard guide. Guide Price The guide price reflects the value of the items expressed by the vendors commensurate with the rarity and condition of the individual lot. Reserves Some lots have a reserve set by the vendor. Commission Bids If you are unable to attend in person commission bids will be accepted. Bids should be confirmed by or in writing in advance of the auction date to the Auction Coordinator, contact details above. Commission bidders are requested to reimburse the postal costs. Payment for Lots Payment for Lots purchased will be at the Auction, unless alternative arrangements have been made previous to the Auction. Successful commission bidders will receive an invoice with the amount due. On payment, their Lots will be dispatched. Members who are both buying and selling at the auction must pay for the Lots bought and not expect them to be offset against those sold. Disputes In the event of any dispute the Auctioneer s decision is final. Prices achieved at the Fire Mark Circle Auction, October 2009, Norwich Lot Lot Lot Lot Lot Lot Lot n/s n/s n/s w/d A n/s not sold w/d withdrawn

Fire Mark Circle Auction 21st April 2010 Marks are classified by their appropriate Wright (W), Addis (A) or Bulau (B) numbers. 1. Norwich Union Fire Ins Soc.

3 Fire Mark Circle Auction 21st April 2010 Marks are classified by their appropriate Wright (W), Addis (A) or Bulau (B) numbers. 1. Norwich Union Fire Ins Soc. Copper, W29L/A29L*BL-C, a good example of this Gaudiano variant, some original paint and gilding, no flattening to Justice, no fraying or tearing, top and bottom finials missing, issued about ( ) 2. Sun Fire Office. Copper, W3I/A3F(ii)*BL-C, a good example of this variant still retaining its original blue background and gilding although some scuffing on the raised parts, no flattening to the sun but the right fixing lug is missing, issued ( 50-70) 3. Newcastle Upon Tyne Fire Office. Lead, No 4679, W24B/A24A(iii)-L, a good example of the second variant from this company formed in 1783, no original colour remains and the nail holes are intact. ( ) Lot 3 4. Guardian Fire & Life Ass Co. Copper, W57B/A57A(i)-C, a good example of this mark, no original colour or flattening to Athene, no tearing or fraying to the edges. ( 40-50) 5. Queen Ins Co. Brass, W99B/A103B-B, a good example of the second variant from this company, no flattening to Victoria or fraying at the edges, the top edges have been repaired, some original colour is showing beneath the house paint. ( 40-50) Lot 5 6. Phoenix Ass Co. Lead, No 4234, W23A/A23A(i)-L, a good example of this first mark to be issued by the company in 1784, no original colour remains and the spear tip has been re-attached. ( ) 7. Licensed Victuallers &General Fire & Life Ass. Copper, W86A/A87A-C, a very good example of the only mark issued by this short lived company, , when it changed its name to Monarch continuing for another seven years, no colour, no flattening to the grapes, a fine example. ( Lot 7

$Copper, W20B/A20B*BL-C, a good example of this second variant issued in 1826, some gilding remains but none of the background colour is evident, no fraying at the edges but several stress fractures$ to the leopards heads. ( 50-60) 10. Patriotic Ass Co of Ireland.

to the leopards heads. ( 50-60) 10. Patriotic Ass Co of Ireland.

4 8. Royal Ins Co. Tin, W95E/A97D(ii)-TI, a mark in near mint condition apart from some slight scuffing to the crown. ( 40-50) 9. Salop Fire Office. Copper, W20B/A20B*BL-C, a good example of this second variant issued in 1826, some gilding remains but none of the background colour is evident, no fraying at the edges but several stress fractures to the leopards heads. ( 50-60) 10. Patriotic Ass Co of Ireland. Tin, W73B/A73A-TI, a very good example of this rare tin variant, no original colour, some fraying at the edges, and slight surface pitting, a mark seldom seen in this condition considering its material. ( ) (Front cover - Top picture) 11. Sun Fire Office. Lead, No W3B/A3A(iv)-L, a good example of this mark issued in 1744, no original colour remaining and some surface damage, top nail hole torn and several open stress fractures between the panel and sun. ( 50-60) 12. West of England Fire Ins Co. Copper, W48F/A48F*R-C, a very good example of this variant still retaining most of its gilding and colour, no flattening to Arthur or tearing at the nail holes, not usually seen in this condition. ( ) 13. North British and Mercantile Ins Co. Tin, B932/A108C-TI, the third variant issued by this company that was formed in the aftermath of the 1861 Tooley Street fire in which James Braidwood lost his life, the mark is in good condition with some original colour showing through the house paint, no tearing or surface rust. ( 60-70) Lot County Fire Office. Copper, W45E/A45D*B-C, a good example of this mark from a company that issued seven variants, no flattening to Britannia, most original red garter colour remaining, some enlarged nail holes and the garter tab has been reattached. ( 40-50) 15. Norwich General Ass Co. Copper, W28D/A28B-C, a fair example of this early mark from this short lived company, no colour or policy number remains and the mark is covered in verdigris, the panel has separated from the mark and has been cosmetically replaced, discovered in a renovated property in Suffolk. ( 70-80) Lot 15

16. Alliance British and Foreign Fire and Life Ins Co. Copper.

guide price reflecting its status. ( 600-800) (Front cover - Middle picture) Lot 18 18. Bath Sun Fire Office.

5 16. Alliance British and Foreign Fire and Life Ins Co. Copper. W63B/A63A-C, a very good example of this early variant still retaining its original gilding, no flattening to the castle, fraying or tearing at the nail holes, a nice mark. ( 60-70) 17. St Patrick Ins Co of Ireland. Copper, W74A/A74A-C, a rare mark by any standards and not previously seen at auction since being bought by Linaker in the 1930s, in very good condition and a must for the serious collector with the guide price reflecting its status. ( ) (Front cover - Middle picture) Lot Bath Sun Fire Office. Copper, similar to W16B/A16B-C, a very good example of a rare copper variant from this 18th cent company, most of the gilding remains as does the original red background colour, no flattening to the sun, but slight tearing at the right nail hole, this is an unrecorded variant having the red background which is thought to be the original colour scheme, as opposed to the known black example. ( ) 19. London Assurance. Lead, No 46291, W9F/A9E(iii)-L, a good example of this lead mark, no original colour remaining, the head has been professionally reattached at some time in the past. ( ) Lot Birmingham Fire Office Co. Copper, W42C/A42B(ii)-C, a good example of this variant, no original colour, no tearing or flattening, some fine stress fractures at the wheels. ( 70-80) 21. Norwich General Ass Co. Lead, No 5304, W28A/A28A*G-L, an excellent example of this early mark, and is in pristine condition although no original colour remains. ( ) Lot 21

$Westminster Insurance Office. Copper, W5D/A5C-C, an excellent example of this copper variant issued in 1830, no original colour or gilding, no flattening, tearing or stress fractures, a must have.$ Lead, No 4040, W13A/A13A(i)-L, a fine example of this rare Irish mark from a company that lasted only 70 years, no original colour remains, with the mark still retaining its integrity.

Lead, No 4040, W13A/A13A(i)-L, a fine example of this rare Irish mark from a company that lasted only 70 years, no original colour remains, with the mark still retaining its integrity.

6 22. Albion Fire and Life Ass Co. Brass, similar to W41A cast iron, this example is in excellent condition and once formed part of the Linaker collection, no variant of this brass mark has been recorded. ( ) 23. Westminster Insurance Office. Copper, W5D/A5C-C, an excellent example of this copper variant issued in 1830, no original colour or gilding, no flattening, tearing or stress fractures, a must have. ( ) 24. Hibernian Ins Co. Lead, No 4040, W13A/A13A(i)-L, a fine example of this rare Irish mark from a company that lasted only 70 years, no original colour remains, with the mark still retaining its integrity. ( ) Lot Reading Ins Co. Copper, W60A/A60A-C, an excellent example of this rarely seen mark, no original colour, one widened nail hole, a lovely convex shape that shows no sign of wear. The mark was illustrated on the front of the Linaker catalogue for the Reading exhibition of ( ) 26. Atlas Ins Co. Copper, W50A/A50A(v)-C, an excellent example of this single issue copper mark, no colour or gilding remains and the globe still retains its original profile, no fraying or tearing. ( 60-70) Lot Royal Ins Co. Copper, W95D/A97B(ii)-C, a good example of this later variant, some background colour but no gilding. ( 30-40) 28. London Assurance. Copper, W9H(i)/A9G-C, a good example of this copper mark, spear tip replaced, all original gilding remaining with some background colour present. ( ) 29. District Fire Office. Copper, W83A/A84D-C, a good example of the last mark to be issued by this short lived Birmingham company (30years), Lot 25

the guide price. ( 600-700) (Front cover - Bottom picture) 31. Sun Fire Office. Lead, No 746903.

7 some black background colour but none to the raised parts, no tearing or flattening. ( 40-50) 30. Federal Fire Ins Co. Tin, issued , B976/A141A-TI, no examples of this tin mark have been seen other than in the Evenden and Linaker collection from where it came, in pristine condition that reflects its rarity and the guide price. ( ) (Front cover - Bottom picture) 31. Sun Fire Office. Lead, No W3D/A3C-L, a good example of this mark issued circa 1800, no original colour remaining and some surface damage to the sun s face. ( 60-70) Lot Westminster Insurance Office. Lead, No?9961, W5C(iii)/A5B(iii)-L, a good example of this last lead variant from this early company, issued around 1810, no original colour, no tearing at the nail holes, stress fracture along the top of the portcullis. ( ) 33. Farmers and General Fire Ins Co. Copper, W92B/A94B-C, a very good example of this mark although no colour remains the mark has no flattening or tearing at the nail holes. ( 50-60) 34. Royal Exchange Assurance. Lead, No 68007, W10E/A10B(vi)-l, an excellent example of this mark issued circa 1775, no original colour, but some gilding to the building, no tearing or flattening to the Exchange building. ( ) Lot Royal Ins Co. Copper, W95B/A97B(i)-C, a good example of this second variant still retaining its original colour if somewhat dulled, no flattening or fraying at the edges. ( 40-50) 36. British Fire Office. Copper, W30F/A30E(ii)-C, a good example of this copper variant, some original gilding, no flattening to the lion or stress cracks. ( 60-70) Lot 34

37. Imperial Fire Ins Co. Tin, W40H/A40D(i)-TI, a very good example of this late variant that formed part of the Linaker collection, repainted in original colours, a must have for a collection.

Tin, W100A/A105A(ii)*GN-TI, a good example of this repainted tin mark whose company started after the Tooley Street fire of 1861. ( 30-40) 40. Leicester Fire Office.

8 37. Imperial Fire Ins Co. Tin, W40H/A40D(i)-TI, a very good example of this late variant that formed part of the Linaker collection, repainted in original colours, a must have for a collection. ( 70-80) 38. National Union Fire Office. Tin, B989/A150B-TI, an excellent example of this late 19th cent company s mark, all original colour remaining. ( 40-50) 39. Commercial Union Assurance. Tin, W100A/A105A(ii)*GN-TI, a good example of this repainted tin mark whose company started after the Tooley Street fire of ( 30-40) 40. Leicester Fire Office. Tin, W84A/A85A-TI, a very good example of this rare tin mark from a company that was in existence for only nine years, most of the gilding remains as does some red background, no rust or fraying but minor tearing to the nail holes. ( ) 41. Royal Ins Co. Copper, W95B/A97B(i)-C, a fair example of this second variant, no original colour, or flattening some fraying and corrosion at the edges. ( 20-30) 42. Notts and Derby Fire and Life Ass Co. Copper, W87F/A88E(i)-C, an excellent example of this Linaker mark still retaining its original colour with its Garter Tab still intact, seldom seen in this condition. ( ) Lot Royal Exchange Assurance. Lead, W10K/10E-L, a very good example of this last lead variant from the company, issued between , no original colour or tearing at the nail holes, thought to be the last lead mark ever issued by any company. ( 35-40) 44. Guardian Fire and Life Ass Co. Tin. B797/A57D(v)-TI, an excellent example in full colour of this later variant issued in 1900 primarily for overseas use, rusting examples can still be seen on buildings in Portugal. ( 15-20) Lot Fire Assoc of Philadelphia. Cast Iron, B88, a good example of this early American mark, no original colour remains, some grey house paint evident and some surface pitting. ( 60-70)

9 46. Fire Assoc of Philadelphia. Aluminium, a modern reproduction of the above painted in original colours. ( 10-15) END OF FIREMARKS 47. The British Firemark by Brian Wright. ( 30-40) 48. Footprints of Assurance by Alwin Bulau, a regulation copy. ( 25-30) 49. Selection of fire insurance policies. To include, Hand in Hand 1904, Hand in Hand issued by the CU in 1920, featuring the early cartouche of clasped hands. ( 20-30) 50. Selection of fire insurance policies. To include, Guardian 1831, Royal Exchange 1880, and a rare Manchester of 1866, all retaining their bright logos and no tears to the edges. ( 50-60) 51. Selection of fire insurance policies. To include, Atlas 1875, and an unusual fire policy from Store Warehouses, Baker Street Bazaar of 1893, to store effects on their premises. ( 20-30)

10 NOTES

11 STANDARD GUIDE FOR FIRE MARKS (This is a private document for use by Fire Mark Circle members only) M = Mint Ex = Excellent An unissued mark with full original colour and no nail holes unless provided in original manufacture. A mark that is Mint in all aspects other than some slight scuffing to raised parts or a lead mark with no physical damage or deterioration. VG = Very Good Marks with little or no physical damage, perhaps some minor corrosion around nail holes. G = Good F = Fair P = Poor Substantially intact but may have some physical damage such as small splits, tears, holes or bruising or minor corrosion. Some physical damage (e.g. the garter end missing from Notts & Derby, or one or both spear ends missing from a Phoenix) but design essentially intact, and/or some splits, tears or small and may be some corrosion. Design largely intact but may have a number of splits, tears and/or holes and may have some corrosion. NOTES: Colour to be dealt with by explanation, describing the amount of original colour and its intensity. Marks re-painted in original colours will be identified as such. Mint condition marks will have complete original colour.

The Fire Mark Circle. Catalogue of FIRE MARKS and FIRE MEMORABILIA Illustrating the history of Fire Insurance and Fire Brigades

The Fire Mark Circle. Catalogue of FIRE MARKS and FIRE MEMORABILIA Illustrating the history of Fire Insurance and Fire Brigades The Fire Mark Circle Founded 1934 Catalogue of FIRE MARKS and FIRE MEMORABILIA Illustrating the history of Fire Insurance and Fire Brigades To be sold by auction after the Annual General Meeting at the