How OLD is this stamp or wax seal???

[VOL1266-X]

I dug this cast iron stamp (or wax seal) at a U.S. Infantry camp last week. It's obviyusly a "Y" and measures .950 in. long, .550 in. tall, & .435 in. wide. Any ideas on age?? We found some smaller stamps at a CSA Cavalry camp a few years ago.Thanks, Quindy.

 

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[johnnyi]

Hi Quindy. Are you sure it's a "Y", maybe a"'V", "W" or "M"? It looks from the picture that it was mounted on a wood back like the zinc faced printing blocks they use in newspapers? Is it mounted on wood? If so, it may be a printing block possibly scavanged to use as a seal.

 

[VOL1266-X]

Hi Quindy. Are you sure it's a "Y", maybe a"'V", "W" or "M"? It looks from the picture that it was mounted on a wood back like the zinc faced printing blocks they use in newspapers? Is it mounted on wood? If so, it may be a printing block possibly scavanged to use as a seal.

Johnny, it's a "Y" for sure. As to the mounting, no trace remains that I could see. i dug an eagle cuff button and bullets all around it as well as campfire lead. Thanks, Q.

 

[johnnyi]

Thank you. It might help if you photographed the side of the relic to get an idea of what it's origin might be (unlikely a seal would have been manufactured out of iron...have you put a magnet to it?). Also, if you have time, please make a little stamp or impression of the thing, for instance put some ink on a folded corner of newspaper and use that as a stamp pad. (fonts can sometimes be identified by time period, so at least that could be a start)

 

[VOL1266-X]

Thank you. It might help if you photographed the side of the relic to get an idea of what it's origin might be (unlikely a seal would have been manufactured out of iron...have you put a magnet to it?). Also, if you have time, please make a little stamp or impression of the thing, for instance put some ink on a folded corner of newspaper and use that as a stamp pad. (fonts can sometimes be identified by time period, so at least that could be a start)

Johnny, the stamp is not affected by a magnet, I'll try to get an impression tomorrow. What do you think the red residue is? I have brushed it hard with a toothbrush and it's is bonded on. Thanks, Q.

 

[johnnyi]

Hello. As it isn't iron, what will also be very telling is a side image to see if it is constructed as one piece or two layers, the bottom layer being an extremely dense blackened wood which could be very hard to distinguish from the top. As far as the red is concerned, you might consider taking a blunt pin or toothpick and chipping some of the red material into a small spoon, then see how it reacts if the spoon is heated by a very low heat. Sealing wax can maintain it's properties for very long periods of time on folded letters, but I just don't know how it might react if it was buried. Maybe you'll find it's wax; maybe it will eventually prove be what ever red pigment might have been handy for printing?

 

[nova treasure]

I would think maybe a printing block from a field printing press.

 

[Sentrom]

With out seeing the sides, it is hard to identify. I think a printing block letter or a leather embossing insert die.

 

[VOL1266-X]

Thanks Gentlemen. Here's 2 impressions using black ink. I pressed the stamp hard but this is all I could get. Maybe it was discarded & pressed into service as a wax seal as Johnny suggested. Here's the side view as requested. NO grooves anywhere on the piece. Thanks, Q.

 

[cw0909]

Quindy could you, try to get a shot of it, like this img, if you search the site for vintage
print plates there are more like wooden,dif metals
img
https://img0.etsystatic.com/028/0/6070648/il_570xN.658468686_d3yo.jpg
says from the 1950s
https://www.etsy.com/listing/204849815/vintage-printing-press-block-plates-set?ref=market

 

[VOL1266-X]

Here you go. It's shaped like a printing stamp. Thanks, Quindy.

 

[cw0909]

was hoping the font would narrow the time frame,looking through
the pdf newspapers from 1850- 1890s it looks like that cap Y, and
it didnt change until 1900 on

yours

paper September 17, 1866

Public ledger. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, September 17, 1866, Image 1 « Chronicling America « Library of Congress

not sure dosent look like much dif,less thickness of the leg
August 24, 1917

[h=1]

[/h]The Nashville globe. (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, August 24, 1917, Page 2, Image 2 « Chronicling America « Library of Congress