The Signevirist - Q1 2026

The Signevirist Newsletter

The Official Newsletter of the Fire Mark Circle of the Americas

This issue highlights several newly discovered fire marks, including a rare real photo postcard showing an in-situ tin mark from the State Mutual Insurance Company of Oklahoma Territory (classified as US-SG-1), a new variant from the Virginia Fire & Marine Insurance Company (B.124-V-A), and subtle variants identified through careful comparison of marks from the Fire Association of Philadelphia (B.94-V-C) and the Niagara Fire Insurance Company (B.200-V-A). It also continues the "ABCs of American Fire Marks" series with a detailed historical account of the Winnesheik Insurance Company of Freeport, Illinois — a troubled mutual insurer whose misleading financial practices and onerous policy provisions led to its bankruptcy in 1871 — and features a member spotlight on retired insurance professional David Rademaker, who shares his collection of insurance signs, fire marks, and auto tags.