Gerry's Collection
of Antique Wax Seal Stamps
The most valuable item in my collection is this wax seal case, made entirely of gold and purchased in Paris, France. The engraving of the coat of arms is very detailed and finely done. I particularly like the dove with an olive branch, which symbolizes peace, hope, and reconciliation. The craftsman who engraved this stamp clearly had great skill, and even the compartment (the base supporting the coat of arms) is well made. Unfortunately, while the crown is that of a Marquis, I haven’t been able to identify the families represented on this stamp.
This is a wonderful antique Imperial Russian silver and ivory seal stamp belonging to Princess Saltykov and the Duke of Modena. The handle is beautifully carved in the shape of a tower in the Moorish style and screws open. At its base, an orange stone is engraved with the arms of Princess Elisabeth Nikolaevna Saltykov (1772-1852) and her husband, Charles-Louis-Francois-Gabriel de Raimond de Mormoiron, Count of Modena (1774-1833). The House of Saltykov is an old Russian noble family with roots dating back to 1240. In March 1730, the family was granted the title of Count in Russia by Empress Anna. (Ai)
This is a wonderful 19th-century Russian stamp with a Fabergé mark that I bought at auction. It is one of my favorite acquisitions and certainly has its place my collection of "Masterpieces." I particularly like the Siberian nephrite jade used for the handle, and the elephant design is charming and well-carved.
Fabergé, the renowned Russian jewelry firm, is best known for its lavish decorative pieces, especially the Imperial Easter eggs created for the Russian tsars. While Fabergé produced a variety of luxury items, including jewelry, boxes, and cigarette cases, they also made wax seal stamps. Fabergé stamps are rare and highly sought after, often showcasing the firm's exceptional craftsmanship in metalwork, enameling, and use of precious materials. The design of Fabergé seal stamps typically features elegant handles made from metals or stones, often with intricate details or Fabergé’s signature guilloché enamel. Some of these handles were personalized, making them both functional and artistic.
This is a very nice French stamp depicting the "Judgment of Paris," a famous myth from Greek mythology. In the story, Paris, a prince of Troy, is asked to judge a beauty contest among three goddesses: Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Each offers Paris a tempting bribe to be named the fairest. Paris ultimately chooses Aphrodite, who promises him the love of the most beautiful mortal woman, Helen of Sparta. This decision sets off the events that lead to the Trojan War. The engraving on the stamp is also beautifully done.
This “two seals” stamp is a remarkable piece I acquired from Austria. I’m really pleased to have added it to my collection. On one side, the coat of arms is engraved, while on the other side, there is a monogram. What I find exceptional about the stamp is the combination of white stone, gold, and metal. The detailing of the decoration on the stamp is also beautifully done.
This is a very nice stamp from the Spanish Onis family. Below is a drawing of the full coat of arms, although sometimes it is simplified and only the first quarter is shown on the shield, as seen in the black-and-white drawing. The earliest records of the Onis family date back to the 16th century. Originally, they lived in Torre de Villoria, a historical tower in the province of Cuenca, Spain, but in the mid-17th century, they moved to Salamanca. The family motto, "Si Sit Prudentia," translates from Latin to "If there is prudence." The handle of the stamp is beautifully carved, making it a great addition to the collection.
This is a beautiful woman’s bust, serving as the handle of a wax seal stamp, engraved with the coat of arms of a noblewoman. In heraldry, the shape of the shield holds significance. The oval (or sometimes lozenge) shape is traditionally associated with non-combatants or women. While there is no crown on this coat of arms, the combination of the helmet and hat suggests that the lady who owned this stamp was married to a Baron of the Napoleonic Empire.
This is the wax seal stamp of my own family, and it marks the beginning of my collection. I received it from my father, and it’s probably one of the nicest gifts I’ve ever gotten. In our family’s coat of arms, you can see eagles. In heraldry, the eagle is often shown with its wings outstretched, symbolizing strength, courage, and nobility, as well as being associated with royalty, power, and authority. Our family motto is "Courageous and Loyal", Preux et Loyal. (Ai)
This antique wax seal stamp has joined my "Masterpieces Collection" because I find the handle beautifully carved. It is sculpted in ivory, and I think it’s one of the most elaborate stamps in my collection. While the coat of arms could be more refined, I still appreciate the craftsmanship of the handle.
This "Norman Soldier" stamp is truly special. It displays the arms of the English family Corbet of Moreton Corbet. The name Corbet comes from the Anglo-Norman word corb, meaning "crow." The senior line of the family, Corbet of Moreton Corbet, features an elephant in their coat of arms: an Or shield charged with a raven, and a crest with an elephant carrying a triple-towered castle on its back. In the 1560s, Sir Andrew Corbet was the owner of Moreton Corbet Castle, which is now in ruins. However, you can still see a panel above the gatehouse with the initials "SAC" (for Sir Andrew Corbet) and the family emblem of the elephant, along with the date 1579 when the panel was erected. (Ai)
A beautiful seal presented with its original leather fitted case, with the alliance coat of arms of the Scottish Robertson of Kindeace and Wilson families. The Robertsons of Kindeace are a cadet branch of the Clan Robertson. The Robertson of Struan was the senior branch, while the Robertson of Lude was the principal cadet branch. The other branches were Robertson of Auchleeks, of Faskally, of Inches, of Kinlochmouidart, and of Kindeace. The Robertson family is said to be one of the oldest in Scotland, claiming descent from Crinan, the Laird of Atholl and hereditary lay Abbott of Dunkeld who married Bethoc, the daughter of Malcolm II. Their son became Duncan I, Scottish king from 1034 to 1040. The arms are "Gules three wolves' heads, erased, Argent, armed and langued, Azure", with a wild man in chains lying under the escutcheon. The man in chains represents the captured member of the group that murdered King James I of Scotland in 1437. The crest is "A dexter hand holding up an imperial crown, Proper." And the motto is " Virtutis Gloria Merces". The other arms belong to the Clan Wilson. The surname Wilson has its roots in both Scotland and England, and before that in Normandy and Denmark. This coat of arms shows an alliance between a member of the Robertson clan and the Wilson clan.
