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Original vintage EL IRIS Compañía de Seguros Mutuos Contra Incendio fire insurance plaque from Havana, Cuba.
This oval convex enamel metal plaque features bold red EL IRIS lettering with light blue accents on a white background, surrounded by “Compañía de Seguros Mutuos Contra Incendios” and “Habana” at the bottom.
El Iris was a historic Cuban mutual fire insurance company founded in Havana in 1855. Fire insurance marks like this were placed on buildings associated with an insurance company and are now collected as pieces of early insurance, architectural, and Cuban history.
This is the white-border variation of the El Iris plaque. I also have a different blue-border variation available separately.
Condition:
Original vintage condition with noticeable age-related wear, including enamel loss, oxidation/rust around the outer edges and mounting holes, surface marks, scratches, discoloration and general wear consistent with age and use.
Despite the edge wear, the central graphics and lettering remain bright, bold and highly displayable.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the condition description.
Features two original mounting holes.
The plaque is being offered as found and has not been restored.
A scarce and attractive piece for collectors of Cuban memorabilia, Havana history, antique insurance advertising, fire insurance marks, architectural artifacts and vintage enamel signs.
