Bidspirit auction | Late 18th to Mid-19th Century

Late 18th to Mid-19th Century Two Paper Sheets Containing a Collection of Armorial Wax Seal Impressions - A collection of armorial, heraldic, and monogrammed wax seal impressions mounted on two antique paper sheets. The collection features impressions executed in red, black, and brown wax, displaying a variety of European heraldic devices, including coats of arms with lions rampant, crowned shields, and ornate mantling. The sheets are organized in a hand-drawn grid with graphite and ink numbering. Sheet A is marked with a capital letter A in the top left corner and contains spaces numbered 1 through 35. The second sheet continues the sequence, numbered 36 through 55. Several seals feature identifiable heraldic elements: position 27 shows a crown above a large capital letter A, and position 33 bears a shield with a motto at the base that appears to read VIRTUTE CORDE ET MANU, though the texture of the wax makes the characters difficult to decipher fully. The paper exhibits characteristics consistent with 18th and 19th-century manufacture, including visible aging and hand-ruled margins. The sheets measure approximately 15 1/8 inches in height. The collection shows significant signs of age and loss. Multiple impressions are missing from their original positions, including positions 5, 7, 8, 14, 20, 29, 30, 31, 35, 45, 47, and 50 (photos 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9), leaving behind residual wax and circular adhesive staining. The paper is affected by widespread foxing, age-toning, and significant oil or grease staining concentrated around the wax mounts (photos 1, 2, and 4). Several remaining seals exhibit structural damage, including chips and cracks, notably at positions 2, 11, 18, 22, 41, and 48 (photos 2, 3, 4, and 7). The edges of the paper sheets are uneven with minor fraying and small tears (photo 1).