NEW - Rare 1823 Amicable Society Life Assurance pamphlet

Rare pamphlet issued by the Amicable Society for the Insurance of Lives. This company was the very first in the world to offer life insurance and this pamphlet announces the extension of the scheme in 1823. (The company eventually joined with another to form Norwich Union). It is four pages in length and is in good condition for its considerable age. According to Wikipedia: 'The Amicable Society scheme was devised by John Hartley, a bookseller based in Fleet Street, near St. Dunstan’s Church. Reverend William Talbot, the then Bishop of Oxford, was among the society’s initial supporters. The scheme allowed for a maximum of 2,000 society members to pay a set annual contribution of £6 4s each. Anyone between the ages of 12 and 45 was eligible to join and, at the end of each year, the contributions, less running costs, were to be divided between representatives of members who had died during the year. While primarily designed to ensure that the widows and children of members were provided for in the event of a member’s death, the society was also eligible to provide members with annuities. Contemporary papers encouraged prospective members to “enquire at the Cheshire Cheeze, in Flower de Luce Court, Fleet Street.” In 1807, the society obtained a new charter to broaden its aims and adopt the improved methods used by rival offices. Under the new charter, premiums were no longer subject to a set price but varied depending on the age and circumstances of the member. The society was allowed to grant annuities and the number of members increased to 8,000, having been raised to 4,000 in 1790. The society applied to change its charter again in 1823 to allow for 16,000 members. This is the pamphlet announcing that application approval.'