MA State Seal printing block. *UPDATED* with id, value and age.

[CrazySlasher]

I found this a couple weeks back and I'm trying to gather more information on it. I know it's a printing block and has the MA state seal on it. I believe they used this image up until the 1870's. Any there any good researchers out there that could help me with this a bit more. Maybe, what exactly it was used for. Or, maybe someone I can get in contact with who can help me out. It's fairly small. Maybe 4 inches from top to bottom and 2-3 inches wide. Not sure the material it's made out of.

 

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[SeaninNH]

Re: MA State Seal printing block.

I would start by calling one of the Ben Franklin printing stores in Boston and ask them where to start in identifying an old stone state seal pad plate.

 

[CrazySlasher]

Re: MA State Seal printing block.

I would start by calling one of the Ben Franklin printing stores in Boston and ask them where to start in identifying an old stone state seal pad plate.

Good call I just contacted them.

 

[Kenosha Kid]

Re: MA State Seal printing block.

Still searching?

To recap what's been talked about / suggested so far :

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,387393.msg2753484.html#msg2753484

 

[cw0909]

Re: MA State Seal printing block.

over here you said you tried to get a print from it, did you try a rubbing,or a wax impression

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,387393.msg2755958.html#msg2755958
other thread
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,387393.msg2753484.html#msg2753484

 

[SeaninNH]

Re: MA State Seal printing block.

What did they say when you called? Did you find out anything?

 

[CrazySlasher]

Re: MA State Seal printing block.

What did they say when you called? Did you find out anything?

I emailed them and got no response. I'm actually having it looked at tomorrow. Keep you updated!

 

[CrazySlasher]

Re: MA State Seal printing block.

I had someone look at it today and he was stumped. Blah.

 

[SeaninNH]

Re: MA State Seal printing block.

Try these places

http://www.museumofprinting.org/index.html

http://www.printmuseum.org/museum/about/

 

[CrazySlasher]

Re: MA State Seal printing block.

Try these places

http://www.museumofprinting.org/index.html

http://www.printmuseum.org/museum/about/

You're awesome! I will call them both and email this week coming up.

 

[SeaninNH]

Re: MA State Seal printing block.

Good deal. If you don't mind, keep me updated. I've had many printing jobs in my life so I'm curious where that turns out to be from. I'm sure with some research you can find out the actual printer that the block came from. Only so many printers were allowed to print the Ma state seal back when that type of plate was used.

 

[CrazySlasher]

Re: MA State Seal printing block.

Good deal. If you don't mind, keep me updated. I've had many printing jobs in my life so I'm curious where that turns out to be from. I'm sure with some research you can find out the actual printer that the block came from. Only so many printers were allowed to print the Ma state seal back when that type of plate was used.

I just spoke to Gary at the International Print Museum and he thinks it might be quite rare. I just emailed him pictures and he's going to get back to me a bit later. Keep you updated.

 

[cw0909]

Re: MA State Seal printing block.

i think gary is right CrazySlasher, found this info today

ma stamp
http://www.policystrategists.com/Seal_History.html

Seal History
Published by:
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Public Records Division
One Ashburton Place, Room 1719
Boston, Massachusetts 02108

Soon after its first meeting under the Massachusetts Constitution, the state legislature appointed a committee "to consider & determine upon a Seal for this Commonwealth." A month later, on December 13, 1780, the Council and Governor John Hancock accepted Nathan Cushing's design for a new seal. Paul Revere was once again commissioned to engrave the seal, which returned to its original design of a native American Indian. Revere presented his bill on December 23, 1780 - the signed original is located at the Massachusetts Archives. The Council provided only a casual description of how the seal should look, so subsequent engravers varied the appearance of the seal.
http://www.policystrategists.com/Seal_History.html

records division
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/presea/sealhis.htm

 

[SeaninNH]

Re: MA State Seal printing block.

Any update on this?

 

[CrazySlasher]

Re: MA State Seal printing block.

Any update on this?

I actually finally got a response about it.

"Dave

It is a relief engraving

It could be used for printing but most likely used for wax seals

For printing it would be mounted on wood and thus have small nail holes

Great find

Frank"

Second response gave me a date and value.

"1899 to 1920

A few hundred dollars if you found the right collector

Frank"