An American Fire Sign Valiant Hose No. 2 Cast Iron Plaque Reproduction Vintage in good condition Heavy black cast iron plaque features a colorful classic firefighter design Plaque has a "2" in a square embossed on back lower left corner In 1752 fire signs first made their appearance on Early American homes This was before the advent of volunteer first departments At that time fire departments were financed exclusively by insurance companies A company fire sign or "fire mark" was mounted on the house that it insured This plaque is the type that the Associated Fireman's Insurance Company of Baltimore issued around 1848 It features a novel design showing a fireman running through the streets blowing a fire horn Plaques issued from different insurance companies featured different designs More of the above story is included with the plaque It was taped to the plaque back when I purchased it thirty years ago Plaque measures approximately 10 1/2" tall x 5 6/8" wide Please check photos as they are part of description COMES FROM A NON-SMOKING PET FREE HOME I SHIP THROUGHOUT THE USA AS WELL AS INTERNATIONALLY. PURCHASED ITEMS ARE SHIPPED WITHIN ONE FULL BUSINESS DAY AFTER RECEIPT OF CLEARED PAYMENT EXCLUDING SUNDAYS AND US FEDERAL HOLIDAYS. ALL SHIPPING FEES (BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL) ARE CALCULATED ON PACKAGE WEIGHT AND DESTINATION THROUGH SHIPPING CALCULATOR. I PRINT MY LABELS THEREFORE TRACKING INFORMATION IS UPLOADED AUTOMATICALLY. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ANY AND ALL IMPORT DUTIES, TAXES, FEES AND INSURANCE ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ITEM PRICE BUT ARE THE BUYER'S RESPONSIBILITY. IF YOU ARE IN A COUNTRY THAT IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAM, THEN ANY IMPORT DUTIES, TAXES OR FEES ARE COLLECTED WHEN YOU ENTER'S CHECKOUT PROCESS. INSURANCE FEES BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL ARE THE BUYER'S RESPONSIBILITY. IF YOU DESIRE YOUR PURCHASE TO BE INSURED PLEASE NOTIFY ME AT TIME OF PURCHASE SO THAT I CAN INCLUDE IT WITHIN THE SHIPPING FEES. I WILL GLADLY COMBINE SHIPPING FEES. PLEASE WAIT FOR AN INVOICE TO RECEIVE A COMBINED SHIPPING DISCOUNT. RETURN POLICY: RETURNS ARE ACCEPTED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE. PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE RETURNING ITEM. ALL RETURNS MUST BE IN THE ORIGINAL CONDITION. ITEMS LISTED AS NEW OR W/T MUST BE RETURNED WITH TAGS ATTACHED AND UNUSED.