An extremely rare item, a nineteenth-century insurance certificate issued by Dyrekcja Ubezpieczeń in Kingdom of Poland. In 1843 the existing insurance company "Dyrekcja Generalna" is transformed into Dyrekcja Ubezpieczeń, which expands the scope of its activities and now farms, factory equipment, farm animals were a subject of insurace, as well as life insurance. Dyrekcja Ubezpieczeń is largely directed by Poles and the period from the November till January Uprising (1831-1863) is widely considered to be the best period in the development of insurance market in the Kingdom of Poland. The collapse and consequences of the January Uprising led to the liquidation of Dyrekcja Ubezpieczeń in 1867.
This particular insurance certificate was issued in July 1858 and it covered a horse-drawn carriage and a forage harvester. The certificate is filled with handwritten ink and for specific person indicated by name and surname. Denominated in silver rubles. At the end of the certificate there are signatures, including the one of chairman of the Dyrekcja Ubezpieczeń.
The certificate was printed on extremely fragile, thin paper, similar to the one used in silver rubles(banknotes) Considering the size and fragility of the paper, this particular piece can be described as well preserved with good eye appeal. There are few, minor spots were a repair had to be done in order to protect the paper from further tears and damage. A similar piece is illustrated in the book published on the occasion of the "200 years of insurance" for the largest Polish insurance company PZU.
This unique item should not only be in the interest of collectors, but also companies and people associated with the insurance market as its undoubtedly an extremely rare, well preserved witness of important part of the history of insurance market both in Poland and Russia and for sure will be a highlight of any collection.
We definetly recommend it!
