Seal

Object/Artifact

-

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Seal

Entry/Object ID

VC.2005.41

Description

This is a King George III Cypher Stamp designed and controlled by the British stamp commissioners. It is the second part of a set of two revenue(or fiscal) stamps which were attached to legal documents to indicate the duty paid. The first stamp of the set has an embossed image of the Royal Seal (such as VC.2005.45) and a piece of metal which pierces the center of the stamp before embossing to secure it to the document, somewhat like a staple. A printed stamp label makes the second part of the set and is attached to the reverse of the document to cover the attaching bit of metal and prevent any tampering with the secured revenue embossed stamp. This second printed stamp is known as a cypher stamp, for it was imprinted with the Royal cypher of the reigning British monarch. The object is described by a stylized script capital "G" and "R" and the reflected "G" and "R" about the vertical mid-line forming a royal emblem occupying about 2/3 of the stamp area. Directly above the royal emblem is "G 3 R" and the royal crown. At top on the left side of the crown is "39" and the right side "2". This presumably is the duty paid and is probably 39 Shillings and 2 Pence. There is no note from the donor indicating that the Royal Seal embossed revenue stamp VC.2005.45 came from the same document indicating a single source set of VC.2005.41 & VC.2005.45, but they are from the same time period.

Collection

Van Cortlandt Manor Object Collection

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Unknown

Attribution

Maker

Manufacturer

British Royal Stamp Commission

Notes

Date made: 1801 to 1816

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Transcription

See description

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Overall

Height

1 in

Width

7/8 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 1 x 7/8 in. (2.5 x 2.2 cm)

Material

Paper (laid), ink, Glue

Condition

Notes

Remarks: Overall surface discoloration; back is not visible due to being glued onto heavy paper; front has a 45 degree diagonal crease on lower left corner 1/8" from corner; also at upper right corner 1/16" from corner.

General Notes

Note Type

Curatorial Remarks

Note

For use throughout the British Empire. Source: Box Files PCR to SS 1951-52. Found in Map drawer at Bellwood.

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Union Church, Storage, Shelf 29B

Note Type

Department

Note

Curatorial