Seal

Object/Artifact

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Seal

Entry/Object ID

VC.2005.45

Description

This is a King George III revenue stamp embossed with a octagonal shaped seal: on the front is the Royal coat of arms of King George for the period from 1801 to 1816; a rectangular cutout area where the piercing metal was located; crown at top; rampant lion and unicorn on either side; at bottom is "THREE POUNDS"; below the buckled garter is "DIEU ET MON DROIT"(God and my right) with some letters illegible; on the garter is " HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENCE"(Shamed be he who thinks ill of it) with some letters illegible; within the garter belt is a shield having points on the side not like the pre 1801 smooth sided shield of George III; upper quadrant has lion of Scotland, not fleur-de-lie of France; lower quadrant has three stacked lions; center arms of Hanover is within area of cutout; lower left quadrant of Ireland only partly visible; upper left quadrant shows only part of the stacked lions of the lower right quadrant. Note: A King George III revenue(or fiscal) stamp was designed and controlled by the British stamp commissioners. This stamp is attached to legal documents with 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 piece of metal and prevent any tampering with the secured embossed revenue stamp. This second printed stamp would be imprinted with the cypher of the reigning British monarch. An example of this is the Cypher stamp of King George III (VC.2005.41).

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

1-5/8 in

Width

1-1/2 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 1 5/8 x 1 1/2 in. (4.1 x 3.8 cm)

Material

Heavy blue laid paper, Glue, metal piercing piece is missing.

Condition

Notes

Remarks: This embossed seal stamp was glued to a thick paper support with back unavailable for viewing. Center of seal has a rectangular hole (5mm x 12mm) where the seal stamp was mechanically attached to the document by piecing with a piece of metal which is now missing. Top edge of embossing border for 13mm in length has a thick black deposit about 2mm wide.

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