Fire Mark Circle Auction Catalogue: April 2026 Bidding in this auction has now ended. Thank you to all bidders and vendors in this auction. If you have fire marks or insurance related memorabilia that you would like to sell in one of our auctions please email us and we will assist wherever we can. Click on any photo for a larger image and use the back button to return to this page. All enquiries and bids to: auctions@firemarkcircle.co.uk Back to Previous Page.

Lot. Photo. Description. Estimate. Winning Bid & Bidder No. 1. Sun Fire Office. Lead.W3B. A very good example of this third variant with policy number 434698, issued in 1781, no surface damage or flattening to the Sun, clean nail holes and clean impressed policy number, issued to a William Ridge of Rottingdean for his house. Policy details included. £70-80 Bid: £65 Bidder No. 12 2. Yorkshire Fire & Life Insurance Co. Copper. W77B. A very good example of the second of only two variants issued in 1850, no surface damage or flattening to the Minster, some original gilding. £40-50 Bid: £40 Bidder No. 28 3. Farmers & General Fire & Life Insurance Co. Copper. W77B. A good example of this second and most used variant from a company that was only in business for just over 40 years before passing to the Alliance, no flattening or surface damage, some Verdigris to the surface. PLUS. Manchester Fire & Life Assurance Co. Copper. W71A. A fair example of the first mark issued by the company in 1824, no original colour or flattening to the shield some damage to the scroll ribbon ends. (2) £40-50 Bid: £30 Bidder No. 28 4. County Fire Office. Copper. W45B. A very good example or this second variant still with its original colour and gilding, no surface damage. PLUS. Imperial Fire Insurance Co. Copper. W40B. A good example of the second 62 pearl variant, no flattening to the crown, some gilding to the panel. (2) £40-50 Bid: £20 Bidder No. 26 5. Royal Exchange Assurance. Lead. W10K. A good example of the last of the lead marks issued by the company in 1810. No original colour or surface damage, two clean nail holes. PLUS. Birmingham Fire Office Co. Copper. W42C. A good repainted example of this Reproduction mark. (2) £30-40 Bid: £30 Bidder No. 1 6. Essex Equitable Insurance Soc. Copper. W35A. A good example of this single-issue company mark formed in the boom period of new Insurance Companies, no original colour or surface damage to the arms of Essex Seax Shield, the company ran several Bristow & Sons engines in 1803 in the principal towns of Chelmsford and Colchester. £40-50 Bid: £100 Bidder No. 27 7. Dundee Assurance Co. Lead. W22B(ii). Policy No.3163. A very good undamaged example of this rare Scottish mark founded by David Blair a prominent Dundee merchant issued in the 1780s, no surface damage at the nail holes and repainted in some of the original colours. £180-220 Bid: £500 Bidder No. 5 8. Dublin Insurance Co. Lead. W21A. Policy No.3134. A very good example of this Irish mark, the first of two variants and one of the best examples seen for some time. No original colour, no surface damage or missing fronds, a must for the serious collector at this price. £250-300 Bid: £600 Bidder No. 5 9. Bath Sun Fire Office. Lead. W16Aii. Policy No.648. An excellent example of this very early companies only lead mark, issued in the 1780s, a later copper mark was issued in the early 1800s, no original colour or surface damage, a large and heavy mark, the company was later purchased by the Sun. £220-250 Bid: £460 Bidder No. 5 10. British Fire Office. Lead. W30A. A very good example of this rarely seen first issue mark in 1799, very few were ever issued, and were discontinued due to the weakness in design causing the outer band wreath to split from the badge, no surface damage of flattening to the Lion, some strengthening to the aforementioned weakness. £220-250 Bid: £410 Bidder No. 21 11. Bristol Crown Fire office. Lead. W6B. A good example of the second of four lead variants, with the panel 3.2cm tall letters, the company ran a successful business but was overtaken by the London companies setting up in the town, despite running several manual fire engines and was eventually purchased by the Sun, no surface damage or flattening, some strengthening to the panel join. £180-220 Bid: £180 Bidder No. 5 12. London Assurance. Lead. W9E. A very good example of this mark with the panel incurves removed to accommodate the five-figure policy number 32447, issued in 1763, most of the original gilding remains and no surface damage on this early mark. One of the better ones to appear at our auctions. £250-300 Bid: £250 Bidder No. 11 13. General Insurance Co. of Ireland. Lead. W18C. Policy No. 3450. A very good example of this Lead Irish mark, one of four, and the third and last to show a policy number, the illustration in Wright shows the previous number 3449, almost unknown in 18th century fire marks with only the Sun showing two Essex recorded marks of No.13059 and No. 13060, a clean example of this Dublin mark. £250-300 Bid: £340 Bidder No. 5 14. Westminster Insurance Office. Copper. W5D. A good example of the last mark issued by the company in 1830, repainted in original black and gilded colour, small repair to the bottom right nail hole. £70-80 Bid: £40 Bidder No. 10 15. Protector Fire Ins. Co. Copper. W80A. A very good example of the first of two similar marks one with 43 bricks issued in 1825 and the other with 47 bricks issued in 1832, no surface damage or flattening to the figure, one of only two to show a fire man in action. £50-60 Bid: £25 Bidder No. 26 16. Birmingham Fire Office Co. Copper. W42C. A very good example of this Midlands mark dating from the 1840s, and one of only two to illustrate a fire man in action, no surface damage to the fireman and pump, overpainted with black house paint. £50-60 Bid: £25 Bidder No. 17. County Fire Office. Copper. W45D. A good example of this fourth variant of six still in its original colour issued in 1837, some folds on the background. PLUS. Another County Fire Office. Copper. W45E. A fair example of this round variant, lacking its garter tab and some fraying to the edges. (2) £40-50 Unsold 18. Royal Insurance Co. Copper. W95B. A fair example of the smaller second variant, some original red and green colour, some fraying at the edges. PLUS. Another Royal Insurance Co. Tin. W95E. A good example of the last mark issued possibly for overseas and promotional use, some marks were found in the Algarve, Portugal, most original red background colour, some flaking. (2) £40-50 Bid: £30 Bidder No. 22 19. Norwich Union Fire Insurance Soc. Tin. W29J. A good example from this Norwich multi variant company, no original colour, no surface damage and some surface rust on the back. PLUS. Another Norwich Union Fire Ins. Co. Tin. W29Q. A very good example of the last mark issued by the company still in near mint condition, mainly for promotional and business use. (2) £40-50 Bid: £30 Bidder No. 24 20. London Assurance. Tin. W9I. A poor example of this last mark issued in 1824, and has evidently been on a building although other later similar variants were later used for overseas and promotional use. PLUS. Commercial Union. Tin. W100A. A fair example of this late 19th cent. single-issue mark, primarily used for overseas business, it was found on a barn in Portugal, still showing its original colour, and surprisingly little surface rust. (2) £40-50 Unsold 21. Westminster Insurance Office. Lead. W5C(iii). Policy No.50719. A very good example of this last lead mark with impressed policy number, some original gilding and strengthening to the base of the crown along with two enlarged nail holes. £130-150 Bid: £80 Bidder No. 10 22. Royal Exchange Assurance. Lead. W10D. Policy No.45904. A very good example of this very early company mark, issued in 1765, no original colour or surface damage apart from the crown leaning slightly to the left. £140-160 Bid: £80 Bidder No. 22 23. Royal Exchange Assurance. Lead. W10J. Policy No.180342. A good example of the last numbered mark on the policy panel, issued in 1806, no original colour and gilding, no surface damage, a clean convex example £40-50 Bid: £35 Bidder No. 10 24. Phoenix Assurance Company. Lead. W23A. Policy No.6267. A very good example of this early company mark who had agents and brigades in important commercial centres, they were founded by the London Sugar Bakers to undercut premiums from the main companies of the Sun and Royal Exchange, an early policy probably issued in 1790, no surface damage and strengthening to the spear tip, a very desirable mark. £200-250 Bid: £170 Bidder No. 31 25. Wiltshire and Western Assurance Society. Copper. W26B. Policy No.2420. A good example of this painted policy number mark, still showing some gilding but no original colour, dulled but clear painted policy number, no surface damage apart from two pellet dents. £70-80 Bid: £155 Bidder No. 30 26. Worcester Fire Office. Lead. W27B. Policy No.2056. Probably issued in 1795. A very good example of the second of the three small variants with the 13mm painted number policy panel, this short-lived company was only in business for 28 years and even managed to run a fire engine, before passing to the Phoenix who continued the brigade until the local authority took over, no surface damage, but missing top hanging tab. £180-220 Bid: £260 Bidder No. 30 27. Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society. Lead. W29A. A very good example of the first and only lead mark issued by this multi variant Norwich company issuing over 25 different marks, no original colour or surface damage, some remaining house paint in the letter recesses, no evidence of the painted policy number, one for the serious collector. £180-220 Bid: £260 Bidder No. 6 28. West of England. Tin. W48D. A good example from this multi mark company in Exeter, no original paint and some rusting at the edges. PLUS. Phoenix Assurance Company. Copper. W23K. A good example of this last variant still showing some original dulled colour and gilding, minor surface damage to the Phoenix’s neck and enlarged nail holes. (2) £40-50 Bid: £40 Bidder No. 9 29. Guardian Fire & Life Assurance Co. Copper. W57B. A good example of this second popular variant, no surface damage or flattening to Athene. PLUS. Another later Guardian Assurance, this was used primarily for overseas business and still retains its original colour. (2) £30-40 Unsold 30. Alliance British & Foreign Fire & Life Insurance. Copper. W63A. A fair example of the first of two similar marks with the square windows, some original gilding and some surface damage to the bottom of one tower. PLUS. Another Alliance. Copper. W63B. another similar example to the second variant with damage and missing parts to the LHS. (2) £30-40 Bid: £30 Bidder No. 24 31. Hertfordshire & Cambridgeshire & Country. Copper. W67A. A fair example of this rare single-issue mark from a short-lived company 1824-1831, later passing to the Herts and Cambridge and subsequently to the Phoenix, some surface flattening and missing corners of the panel. PLUS. Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Fire & Life Assurance Co. Zinc. W87E.A fair example of this unusual zinc mark, one of six similar variants, no original colour and some fraying at the edges and the usual missing garter tab. (2) £30-40 Bid: £35 Bidder No. 28 32. Central Insurance Co. Ltd. Tin. B1002. A good example of this later circular Birmingham mark, no original colour or flattening to the Brazier. PLUS. District Fire Office. Copper. W83E. A poor example of the last of the Midlands issue marks, small and circular with some fraying at the edges. PLUS. Another District Fire Office. Copper. W83C. A fair example of the second of five marks issued by this company in its 40 years in business, no original colour, some fraying and missing parts to the edges. (3) £30-40 Bid: £35 Bidder No. 28 33. Union Fire Office. Tin. W4E. A fair example of this last mark in tin similar to W4E but primarily used for overseas business and promotional activities, seen frequently in Cyprus. £30-40 Bid: £50 Bidder No. 26 34. Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Fire & Life Ass. Co. Copper. W87E. A very good example of this unusual mark, variants were made in zinc and copper, no original colour or fraying at the edges and the usual garter still attached, a nice not often seem mark. £40-50 Bid: £65 Bidder No. 11 35. Royal Exchange Assurance. Lead. W10J. Policy No.237898. A very good example of the last of the numbered policy panels, issued in 1815 and repainted in near original colours, no surface damage, some flattening to the exchange. £40-50 Bid: £45 Bidder No. 8 36. Royal Exchange Assurance. Lead. W10J. Policy No.225175. A good example of the last numbered mark on the policy panel, issued in 1806, some original colour and gilding, no surface damage. £40-50 Bid: £45 Bidder No. 20 37. Wiltshire and Western Assurance Soc. Copper. W26B. Policy No.3401. A fair example of this copper mark from this West Country company, probably issued in 1789, who were in business for just over 40 years, later to be called the Salamander Fire Office, before transferring their Fire Insurance to the Sun, with some damage and missing parts to the top and edges. £40-50 Bid: £45 Bidder No. 8 38. London & Lancashire Fire Insurance Co. Tin. W101A. A good example of this later company mark, also known as the London & Liverpool due to office’s opening there in 1862, the year after its registration, some original colour on the shields but flaking background black. £30-40 Bid: £40 Bidder No. 22 39. London Assurance. Copper. W9H(i). A good example of this early company mark issued in 1808, some minor repainting, no surface damage or missing parts. Minor Strengthening to the spear tip, no evidence of nail holes. £60-70 Bid: £70 Bidder No. 22 40. Norwich Union Fire Insurance Soc. Copper. W29O. A good example from this mark from a Norfolk company in Norwich, no original colour or surface damage. £30-40 Bid: £60 Bidder No. 11 41. Royal Exchange Assurance. Lead. W10D. Policy No.50235. A very good example of this very early mark issued in 1765, no original colour or surface damage, some strengthening to the crown a nice mark from this early period. £100-120 Unsold 42. Northern Assurance Company. Copper. W88A. A fair example of this Scottish mark from this Aberdeen company, in repainted original colour, some surface damage and edge fraying. PLUS. Another similar Northern Assurance. W88A in good condition, no original colour, and no surface damage. (2) £40-50 Unsold 43. Royal Exchange Assurance. Lead. W10K. a very good example of the last of the lead marks issued by the company 1830, with no policy number, some original red background and all of the gilding to the Exchange and Crown survive, and surprisingly no nail holes, so probably never issued. £30-40 Bid: £40 Bidder No. 28 44. Royal Exchange Assurance. Lead. W10F. Policy No.160814. A very good example of this early company mark issued in 1790, no surface damage or original colour, no flattening to the Exchange or evidence of nail holes, possibly never issued. £90-100 Bid: £80 Bidder No. 1 45. Newcastle Upon Tyne Fire Office. Lead. W24A. An excellent example of this early first issue mark one of three variants. Policy No.1542, taken off a building in Charlotte Sq. Newcastle in 1932, belonging to Albert Dees an Electrician, the mark is mounted on a profiled Mahogany board with details on the back. £220-250 Bid: £240 Bidder No. 31 End of Sale (A number in brackets at the end of a description indicates the number of items in the lot where this exceeds one.)