WOW!

This is an extremely Rare Victorian survivor of an office/shop sign for one of Scotland’s oldest companies

- The CALEDONIAN Insurance COMPANY of Glasgow.

This sign is from the Newcastle Branch which dates it to post 1840.

History

The Caledonian Insurance Company was established in Edinburgh in 1805 to transact fire insurance. From 1833 the company began to deal in life assurance. The Caledonian expanded in Scotland by setting up branches in Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen. In the 1840s the company entered England and Ireland; offices were established in London, Blackpool, Newcastle, Birmingham and Dublin.

In the 1870s the Caledonian continued to grow, acquiring Scottish insurance companies, Edinburgh Fire, Scottish Fire and Scottish Metropolitan Fire. The Caledonian entered the foreign market in the 1880s and offices were established in Canada, Australia, South Africa and the US.

In 1957 Caledonian became a subsidiary of Guardian Assurance Company. In 1968 Guardian merged with Royal Exchange Assurance to form Guardian Royal Exchange Group (GRE). In 2011 GRE was acquired by Cinven and now trades as Guardian Financial Services.

This is an original sign made by William Nimmo & Sons of Leith.

It is in superb condition. Only thing worth mentioning is it has bent so not flush against the wall but cannot tell when on display.

Has the name of the agent on the reverse - a “MR. C.J. GILCHRIST, F.S.I., F.A.I.

This is a museum quality sign.

Would be a must for anyone with links to this company or region.

Measures approx: 20.75” x 16”

A rare survivor!

Low start - no reserve.

I usually post weekends