Gerry's Collection
of Antique Wax Seal Stamps
The Black Collection
The wax seal stamps are regrouped in various sections to easily explore the collection.
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This stamp belonged to Antoine-Louis-François de Béziade (or Bésiade) (born 1759), Duke of Avaray. The title of Duke of Avaray was created in 1799 by the exiled royal government of Louis XVIII, elevating the County of L'Isle-Jourdain in Gers to a duchy-peerage in favor of Antoine-Louis-François. While serving Monsieur (the future Louis XVIII), he orchestrated the escape of Louis XVI’s brother from the Petit Luxembourg. The name Avaray came from a small seigneury in Loir-et-Cher, which had been associated with the Béziade family in the 18th century. On June 11th, 1817, after being restored to the throne, Louis XVIII confirmed the title and authorized its reversion to Claude-Antoine de Béziade (1740–1829), the father of the first duke. Summoned to the Chamber of Peers on August 17, 1815, he was granted the rank of hereditary duke and peer of France, with letters patent issued on December 8, 1817.
This is a classic wax seal stamp with a traditional wooden handle. It has an elegant design with a finely engraved shield and the crown of a Count. As with many stamps in the collection, its origin is unknown. A particularly interesting detail on this piece is the presence of two chevrons rompus, which are broken chevrons. In heraldry, a broken chevron can sometimes serve as a mark of difference, distinguishing a younger branch of a family from the main line. Such modifications helped prevent confusion between closely related coats of arms.
This stamp was one of the first to join my collection. It features a distinctive turned ebonized wood handle. The matrix is engraved with a heraldic coat of arms representing the union or marriage of two noble families. Above the shield, there are two crowned helmets with mantling, along with a greyhound and an angel as crests. A particularly interesting detail within the shield is the depiction of double arrows piercing a royal crown. This could be a reference to St. Edmund’s crown, though the direction of the arrows is reversed.
The engraving on this seal stamp depicts the alliance of two noble families through marriage. In addition to the usual elements of a coat of arms, it also includes representations of three honorific decorations. Since such distinctions are not hereditary, the successor to the arms cannot use these representations after the bearer’s death. As a result, this stamp is probably a personal seal rather than a family one.
This stamp is engraved with the coat of arms of François Victor Remy, Baron of St. Ouen d'Ernemont, along with the Legion d'Honneur decoration. The St. Ouen d'Ernemont branch is a junior line of the St. Ouen sous Bailly family, which is believed to be extinct. The last known descendant was Berthe de St. Ouen d'Ernemont, who passed away in 1930. The senior line of the St. Ouen sous Bailly family is believed to have originated with Guillaume I de Saint Ouen, Seigneur de St. Ouen, who lived in the mid-12th century and is the ancestor of the d'Ernemont branch.
The engraving on this seal stamp is quite well done, with the peer helmet being especially well-carved. A peer helmet is a specific type of helmet used to signify nobility, particularly that of a peer or noble lord. Typically depicted as an open-faced helmet, it symbolizes the nobility's readiness to face challenges directly and with clear vision.
For some time, I struggled to find the right place for this wax seal stamp in my collection. I find it way too shiny and overly "golden" in appearance. While the engraving is well done, the object itself doesn’t strike me as particularly "noble." The handle has been repainted, which is a feature I’m not fond of, as I much prefer the character of a "worn" wooden handle. This seal stamp is from Holland.
Most of the coat of arms engravings on the wax seal stamps in my collection feature either a crown, a helmet, or both. Most of the crowns belong to Barons, Counts, or Marquis, with a few from Viscounts. It's quite rare to find a stamp that belonged to a king or prince, and I have yet to come across one.
Based on the details of the Viscount crown, this small stamp may originate from Italy. The shield is adorned with a star and a lion. When a lion and a star appear together in a coat of arms, they often symbolize a noble lineage aspiring to greatness, while embodying strength and protection. This combination can suggest a guiding presence, with the lion offering courage and the star representing high aspirations or divine favor. It is all symbolism...
The coat of arms on this seal stamp dates back to the Napoleonic Empire. For his Imperial aristocracy, Napoleon created a new heraldic system, which was partly based on pre-1789 heraldry, but also incorporated many new elements. For example, crowns were replaced by a system of caps. Above the shield on this stamp, we can see the heraldic cap for a Baron. The caps worn by Barons were depicted with feathers, which served as decorative elements, enhancing the overall grandeur and distinction of the noble rank. It’s also interesting to note that the title of Marquis was not officially recognized in the Imperial nobility under Napoleon. The titles established for the new nobility included Prince, Duke, Count, Baron, and Chevalier.
This elegant small wax seal stamp belonged to a noblewoman. The round shield is a distinctive feature often seen in the coats of arms of women and sometimes non-combatants. The crown appears to be that of a Viscountess. It makes a lovely addition to the collection.
This tiny wax seal stamp is quite an interesting item. It features engravings on both ends. One end displays a coat of arms with a crown and two shields, while the other end shows the same crown accompanied by a monogram. It’s uncommon to find such a stamp, especially one so small, only 5.2 cm high. With a matrix measuring just 1.2 x 1.5 cm, the engraving must have been very challenging to create, which likely explains why the coat of arms is not easy to analyze.
The crest on this coat of arms features a winged lion. In heraldry, a winged lion typically symbolizes strength, nobility, and protection, combining the qualities of a lion with the notion of flight or divine power. This figure is often linked to various cultural and religious contexts, such as the Lion of Saint Mark in Venice, which represents the evangelist Mark and signifies courage and authority.
This wax seal stamp is an intriguing exception in my collection. The coat of arms is not from a European noble family, but rather the coat of arms of Cuba. A rare find.
This is another example of a classic shape for a wax seal stamp. The engraving features the coat of arms of a couple, with two shields beneath a noble crown. In the second shield, we can see two hands. Hands are highly symbolic in heraldry, and their meaning can vary depending on their depiction, position, and context. The hands here are Dexter hands, meaning right hands. In heraldry, the right hand is considered the more honorable or virtuous side and is often associated with strength or justice.
The engraving on this stamp features corn plants. In heraldry, corn plants (often represented as wheat or other grains) symbolize abundance, fertility, and agricultural wealth. They can also reflect a connection to the land and a community’s agricultural heritage. In a coat of arms, corn plants may be depicted in various ways—whether as part of a shield or as decorative elements—highlighting the importance of agriculture to the family or region represented.
This stamp originates from Germany. However, the crest features what appears to be a triple-headed eagle. The triple-headed eagle is historically associated with the Byzantine Empire, the Holy Roman Empire (where it symbolized the emperor's rule over multiple territories), Russia (representing the unity of the Russian principalities and the Orthodox Church), and even Armenia and some Slavic nations.
This stamp features another classic shape with its wooden handle. However, the engraving of the coat of arms could have been more detailed. For me, it’s not easy to identify the three engraved animals. Based on their shapes, they could be sheep, horses, or even camels, with a bit of imagination.
This large stamp is made of black stone. The round shield suggests it may have belonged to a noblewoman. However, the arms depicted are those of the French city of Herlincourt. Originally belonging to the Wartelle d'Herlincourt family, the arms were modified, as the family still exists. To avoid confusion, the two silver stars were removed from the chief.
This stamp made of wood and brass is engraved with a beautiful coat of arms. The design features two rampant lions holding a shield, with a very small motto on the banner above the crest. The motto, Semper Fidelis, translates from Latin to "Always faithful" or "Always loyal." The crown depicted is that of a Baron. The shield displays a gold (Or) chevron, two lozenges, and another small rampant lion on a blue (Azur) background. These elements could provide more clues about the family.
An unusual addition to the collection, this stamp is not from a noble family but is nonetheless quite interesting. It originates from the Royal Legation of Romania in Copenhagen. Romania maintained a royal legation in Copenhagen from 1920 until 1940 as part of its efforts to strengthen international relations during the interwar period. The legation was upgraded to an embassy in 1947, following World War II.
An old and likely frequently used wax seal stamp from Austria. Marks like these are evidence of the rich history this object carries. Notably, the ceremonial helmet (Prunkhelm) is featured as one of the crests.
This is a fine stamp engraved with the coat of arms of a Baron of the Faure de Lilate family from France. There are several variations of the coat of arms, which makes it difficult to identify the specific owner of this stamp.
The engraving on this stamp depicts the arms of the Drummond of Melfort family, a cadet branch of the House of Drummond of Lundin from Scotland. John Drummond, the 1st Earl of Melfort and styled Duke of Melfort, was born in 1649. Scotland is home to several families that have achieved the highest rank in the peerage: a dukedom. Many of these families originated from the borderlands between the Highlands and Lowlands, and the Drummond family has been a significant power in this region for centuries. The motto on the coat of arms reads "Dei dono sum quod sum," which translates to "By the gift of God, I am what I am."
Another classic and elegant stamp, featuring the coat of arms representing the alliance of a noble couple. The Argent shield is charged with a swan, which in heraldry often symbolizes grace, beauty, love, and sometimes loyalty or fidelity. The Gules shield is charged with a garb, a stylized depiction of a sheaf of wheat or other grain, typically tied with a band or ribbon. This is a common charge in heraldry, symbolizing harvest, agricultural wealth, or prosperity.
On this stamp we can see a mark of cadency: Quarterly argent and gules, a label with four pendants overall. A label consists of a horizontal band with multiple pendants and is typically used to signify the eldest son during his father's lifetime. Similar arms were used by various families, such as de Dol and Raguelnel, in France, Gaeta, in Italy.
This antique seal was purchased in France and may have belonged to the Megange (or Mengen) family. Some sources suggest that the family is a branch of the Warnesberg-Raville family, while others connect it to the van Beeck family. As a result, the exact origin remains unclear.
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