Seal Presses

This Truncated Lion press has very fancy Note lever pin within ear
curls in the mane. This press is a “recycle”
bearing a seal of a 1950’s photographer.

Another press of this variety has a

contemporary seal dating 1906. This lion has

a hollow body.

Grampp Collection

CGG No.: 80 Note

HT: 10 3/8 inches
BL:6 5/8 inches
double ring WT: 5 lb 6 oz.

BT: indented, 3 pour holes

The Truncated

Crider Collection 65

Lion Press III

CGG No.: 81

This small Truncated Lion HT: 8 5/8 inches press

has the large lump of

metal beneath the chin. The BL: 5 1/2 inches

groove in the back of the neck where the lever fits is

longer WT: 3 lb. 6 oz.

than usual. The lever pin is

below the ear. The die shaft BT: Divided flat, 2 pour holes

body is hexagonal in shape.

Rarity: R-5

The seal in this press reads: Notarial Seal Cuyahoga County Ohio

surrounding the state seal of Ohio (2 sheaves of grain in the

foreground with three mountains and a setting sun in the
background). As a generality, the term “Notarial” is found on older
seals than the term “Notary”.

Rarity: R-5

The Truncated Lion Press IV

This Truncated Lion press has a more gracile head and body than the lion press above. The groove
for the lever in the back of the head is much shorter than above. The lever pin is through the ear.
The curls of the mane are finely executed. The die shaft body is round. The body of this lion press
is hollow. The seal in this press reads: Middlefield Grange No. 63 Middlefield Conn., surrounding
a an agricultural scene and the words P of H Org. Feb 28 1887. Granges were immensely popular
the last quarter of the 19th century and first quarter of the 20th century in agricultural areas. In 2005,
national Grange membership was approximately 300,000 in 36 states.

CGG No.: 82 “P of H” means “Patrons of Husbandry “ which is

the logo of the National

HT: 8 5/8 inches Grange, and is found on

many Grange seals.

BL: 5 3/16 inches WT:

2 lb. 13 oz.

BT: Indented, 2 or 3 pour holes

Crider Collection

66

The Truncated Lion Press V

This Truncated Lion Press is also known as the CGG No.: 83

“Pettibone Lion”. Cast into the base on the left side

are the words The Pettibone M’F’G Co and on the HT: 10 1/4 inches right

side Cincinnati O (reminiscent of the Evens

Lever Sea Monster presses). Pettibone Manufac- BL: 6 3/8 inches turing

Company produced many different kinds of

WT: 5 lb. 8 oz.

Lodge items, particularly regalia, during the heyday

of fraternal lodges in the 1870’s –1920’s. The BT: flat, 1 pour hole
green paint on this specimen is original and this

characteristic also reminds of the Evens lever Rarity: R-6 presses.

Crider Collection

Rarity: R-5

The Truncated Lion Press VI

This Truncated Lion press is very similar to the one above, but there are three very dis-

The seal in this press reads: Abenaquis Tribe No. 31 I. O.
R. M. Littleton N.H. surrounding a teepee and the words Inst.
27 Sun Flower Moon G.S.D. 407. The Improved Order of
Red Men is the oldest patriotic fraternal organization of
American origin and is still active today with national
headquarters and museum in Waco, Texas.

CGG No.: 84

HT: 10 1/4 inches
BL: 6 1/2 inches WT:
5 lb.
BT: Flat, one pour hole

67

Rarity: R-5

The Truncated Lion Press VII

Grampp Collection CGG No.:
85

HT: 10 1/4 inches

Seal: Prophetstown Lodge No. BL: 6 1/2 inches
293 A. F. & A. M. Prophets-
town Ill. Chartered Oct 5, WT: 5 lb. 9 oz.
1859. “A.F. & A.M.” is the
Ancient Free and Accepted BT: flat, no pour
Masons. hole

Rarity: R-5

When comparing any grouping of Lion Head Seal Presses, it is important to notice the base, the body, and the
mane. It is on those parts that the varieties can be most easily distinguished. Compare the mane locks of this lion
and the one below and the difference is evident. The lever pin is slightly lower and behind the ear. On the lever,
there is a raised oval where a label could be attached on an engraving made. The base is medium in height.

Grampp Collection The
Truncated
Rarity: R-5 Lion Press

VIII

CGG No.:
86

HT: 9 1/2 inches

BL: 5 17/32 inches

WT: 4 lb.

BT: Flat, one pour
hole

Seal: Notarial Seal Clarke County Ohio.

This Truncated Lion press is strongly detailed and well cast. Casting quality varies greatly, more so on some
varieties than others. Even though this lion has a patina finish, it has great “eye appeal”. Pre-1900 seal presses with
original pristine paint are rare. The presses were, after all, utilitarian objects to be used frequently. This variety has
the lever pin under the ear and a thick base.

68

The Truncated Lion Press IX

Grampp Collection CGG No.: 87

HT: 8 9/16 inches
BL: 5 1/2 inches
WT: 3 lb. 9 oz.
BT: divided, 2 pour holes

Rarity: R-5

This Truncated Lion press has a thick
divided base, but not as deeply divided
as the variety below. Otherwise, this and the subsequent variety are virtually identical. The seal reads: Notarial
Seal Ashland County Ohio, a county in the north of the state near Lake Erie.

The Truncated Lion Press X

On this variety, the base is deeply divided (see arrows). It has the “ugly chin”. The lever pin is directly below
the ear.

The seal reads: John Erickson Camp No. 10168 New Haven Conn. M W A. M.W.A. is Modern Woodmen
of America, which was founded in 1883.

Grampp Collection CGG No.: 88

HT: 8 3/4 inches
BL: 5 1/2 inches
WT: 3 lb. 13 oz.
BT: indented, 2 pour holes
Rarity: R-4

69

The Truncated Lion Press XI

CGG No.: 89

This variety has two incused circular depres-

sions at the truncation similar to the larger Trun- HT: 9 1/2 inches cated

Lion Press I. However, this is just not a

smaller version of the # I. The overall profile of BL: 5 1/2 inches

the press is more erect, the outline of the lion’s face is different, and the

detail of the mane’s WT: 3 lb. 14 oz.

locks is different. The flat spring is a recumbent

J-shape and the distal end is attached to the press BT: flat, 2 pour holes body

with a screw. The lever pin is through the

Rarity:

ear. As with most of these old presses, there are
no identifying maker’s marks.

The seal reads: Christopher C. Jones Indiana surrounding

Notary Public. The seal gives no hint of a possible date for the

press and research failed to identify a

Crider Christopher C. Jones at the right time and place in history.
Collection
A supposition based on experience and comparison to
similar presses would put this press in an 1880’s– 1910’s
time frame.

70

The Childs’ Presses

S. D. Childs was one of the best known die sinkers and token manufacturers

of the great era of mer- CGG No.: 90

chant’s tokens and Civil War tokens. One of his per-

sonal merchant’s tokens is illustrated below. Child’s HT: 9 5/8 inches business

encompassed tokens, medals, rubber stamps,

engraving, business supplies, and publishing. The BL: 5 3/8 inches business

location shown on the token, 117 1/2

WT: 3 lb. 12 oz.

Randolph St., was destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. In the ensuing years,

the business was at BT: flat, no pour hole several locations. The researchers

tracked the busi-

ness until 1929 and found no record after that year. A Rarity: R-7

vendor or maker’s tag reading T.J. Day Chicago is on the lever.

Grampp
Collection

The Childs’ Truncated Lion Seal Press has the
name CHILDS cast into the side of the lever The
seal reads John Beyer Notarial Seal Iowa County
Iowa which is the home county of the Amana
Colonies.

Indented body style presses are known with the S.D. Childs CGG No.: 91
& Co. makers mark. A complete seal press is illustrated on the
left and below is a variation of the makers mark on another HT: 10 1/2 inches
press. The seal in the press to the left reads McNabb Mutual BL: 6 1/4 inches WT:
Telephone Co. surrounding Incorporated August 1901 and the 5 lb.
word SEAL. James and Antoinette McNabb established the vil- BT: Indented, 2 pour holes
lage of McNabb Illinois in 1900, and along with it the telephone Rarity: R-4
company. By the year 2000 census, the population was 310.
The McNabbs operated the phone company themselves to an
advanced age, he was the lineman/chief operator and she as the
central office manager.

Grampp Collection

71

The Double Column Lion Press I

This distinctive grouping of CGG No.: 92
lions have peculiar locks in the
mane that resemble kernels of HT: 10 7/8 inches
grain and a body with two vertical BL: 6 3/8 inches
columns. WT: 5 lb. 2 oz.
BT: divided flat, one pour hole
This lion has a thin base, a dis- Rarity: R-4
tinct ear, and a different orientation
of the mane locks than the lion
illustrated below. It has the large
lump of metal beneath the chin.

Crider Collection

The seal in this press reads: Notarial Seal Union
County, O. surrounding the state seal of Ohio.

The Double Column Lion

Press II

This Double Column Lion press is a smaller version of the press
illustrated above, but with some significant differences. The grain-
shaped locks of the mane are oriented differently, the lion is earless, the
base thicker, and the ends of the base more deeply scalloped. The
seal in this press reads: C.A. Cosney Wake County N.C. surrounding
Notary Public.

CGG No.: 93

HT: 9 1/4 inches

BL: 5 5/8 inches WT: 3 lb. 11 oz.

BT: Indented, one pour hole

Rarity: R-3

72 Crider Collection

The Double

Grampp Collection At first glance, all the Double Column Lion
Column Lion Presses look like Press III
identical siblings, but close in-
spection reveals differences. CGG No.: 94
There are differences in the hair
locks of each variety. This base HT: 9 1/4 inches
is very different than the previ-
ous two varieties. It has a di- BL: 5 5/8 inches WT:
vided indent. The rear indent is
itself divided by a bar anterior to 4 lb.
posterior.
BT: Indented, one pour hole

Rarity: R-5

The seal reads: Notarial Seal Cuyahoga County
Ohio. Sometimes the bronze upper dies are
marked by the engraver or manufacturer. This is
marked J.H. Flaharty Clvd O. in incuse letters
on the edge.

The Double Column Lion Press IV

This Double Column Lion Press, similar to all the others, also varies in the hair detail. Although a larger size, it
has the same type of divided indented base as the variety above.

Grampp Collection The interesting seal reads:
Alexandersville Law & Order League
No.; 5 Alexandersville O. Incorporated
M,ch 13, 1890. This league was founded
by the Methodist Samuel Porter Jones in
1882, a proponent of reform laws,
especially liquor.

CGG No.: 95

HT: 11 inches
BL: 6 1/8 inches WT: 5 lb.

6 oz.
BT: indented, one pour hole

Rarity: R-5

73

The Double Column Lion Press V

CGG No.: 96

This variety of the Double Col- HT: 11 1/8
inches umn Lion press is primarily a size

variation, but close comparison BL:

6 1/8 inches

with the others will reveal some differences

of the mane’s locks. At WT: 5 lb. 8

oz. this point of the collecting “game”,

Grampp Collection the authors have identified six va-

BT: indented, 2pour holes

rieties of the Double Column Lion,

including the very large one on the

Rarity: R-4

next page. Are

there other

varieties?

Surely there

must be, waiting

to be discovered

by the intrepid

lion hunter.

The seal in this press reads: Dashti Chapter No. 32 O. E.
S. Temple Texas. Temple was not established until 1881, which gives a “not-earlierthan” date for the press. O.E.S. is

Order of the Eastern Star., a fraternal organization for men and women.

The Little Lion Screw Press features a
screw
This instead of a
little lever. As a
press generality,
screw
Grampp Collection presses are
older than
lever
presses, but
the age of
this press is
unknown.
It is set up
as a punch
rather than
a seal press.
This may
be its
original
function, or
it may have
been

The Great Double Columnwould be.
Only a half

Lion Press turn of the

Historical vignette: The Harold V. handle is
Smith Firefighting Museum was lo-
cated in New York City, closing in required to
1981 when its holdings were combined
with the SoHo Museum. complete CGG No.: 98

the throw of

the shaft. HT: 15 7/8
An
inches
enclosed

BL: 8 7/8 inscphriensg WaidTs : 13 lb. 8 oz.

the rebound

of the uppeBr T: indented, on

Rarity: R-6 punch die.

Crider Collection This large press is very similar to the D7o4uble Column Lion press
previous pages except for its large size. Another easily noticeable di

CGG No.:is the arrangement of the locks of the mane. Seal presses of this size

97belonged to institutions or government entities. The seal of this exam

reads: Harold V. Smith Educational Fund surrounding an open boo

lighted candle, symbols of edHucTat:ion5al 5en/8lightenment. Research rev
many Harold V. Smiths, but oinnlcyhoense “fits the bill” in time and geog

This is the Howard V. Smith who was a wealthy insurance magnate

of the Home Insurance CompBanLy:of3Ne1w/1Y6ork City before World W

There is a hint in the records that he may have been involved with th

during the war. inches WT:

1 lb. 8 oz.

The Tiny Lion PresBsT: indented,
1pour hole

The Tiny Lion press looks like it was modeled after the lions on the steps of museums and libraries, or even the lions on the gates

of ancient Babylon. It is a British product as evidenced by the paddle-shaped handle, and theRseaarlsitaytt:acRhe-d4with set screws. The

seal reads: Brywood Rickmansworth Road Amersham Bucks. The shaft pin forms the eye of the lion. Base has holes for an

envelope attachment. CGG No.:
99
recycled as
HT: 4 1/8 inches BL: 4 1/16 inches
a punch.
The “pour
hole” is

now WT: 3 lb.
occupied by

a screw BT: flat, uses set screws
attaching

the lower Rarity: R-6
punch die

to the raised

pedestal

where the

lower

counter die

The subjectivity of Grampp Collection
establishing a rarity rating
becomes only an educated
guess when dealing with
foreign presses.
These may very common in
England, Wales, and Scotland.
The authors are not
knowledgeable of those
markets. This specimen is the
only one the authors have
seen. It perhaps came to these
shores in one of the many
container shipments of
“antiques” that arrive here
from Great Britain.

7
5

The Florida Lion I

This grouping of similar

lion seal presses have been CGG No.: 100

whimsically named The

Florida Lions because one HT: 9 1/4 inches

style is frequently seen with a

decal which states “The Drew BL: 5 1/4 inches

Press Jacksonville”. This

grouping is very well WT: 4 lb. 8 oz.

executed and have a realistic BT: indented, hollow body
appearance. All encountered

have seals dating after the Rarity: R-3
period of the Crook-on-Neck

and other stylized Lions.
Florida Lion I may be the “the
last of the lions”. they fall

along the body.
The Florida Lion I has an oval base , a smooth handle and a hollow

body. The curls of the mane drift towards the back of the neck as

Crider Collection The Florida Lion II

This lion bears the seal of the Vita-Malt CGG No.: 101
Company, makers of a “near-beer” by the

same name. A similarly named product is

HT: 9 5/8 inches still popular in the

Caribbean and parts of Africa.

BL: 6 3/8 inches WT: 4 lb. 2 oz.

BT: indented, hollow body

Rarity: R-4

The Florida Lion II seal press has a hollow body
with locks of the mane extending far along the
neck. The locks tend to point downwards as they
cascade down the neck. It is nearly “chinless” and
has a thick base. The flourishes on the handle are
more robust than on the Florida Lion IV. There is
a size variant, HT: 9 1/2 “ and BL: 6 1/8” which
may warrant a separate reference number CGG #
101a.

Grampp Collection
76

The Florida Lion III

Crider Collection CGG No.: 102

HT: 9 1/8 inches

BL: 6 3/8 inches

WT: 4 lb. 14 oz.

BT: Indented, large pour
area filled with alloy

Rarity: R-3

This lion press body is essentially the same as the Florida
Lion II. Differences are so minor that they may be nothing
more than figments of the observer’s imagination. The sole
difference is that this lion has the more modern smooth handle
as in the Florida Lion I. That the handle is a replacement is
within the realm of possibility, but multiples of this type have

The Florida Lion IV

The Florida Lion IV Seal Press has a hollow body and very
thick base. It also has a very heavy “chin”. The locks of the
mane are much shorter down the neck than on the other Florida
lions. This is the most different of the lions in this grouping and
may be “kin” to them in name only. It is much scarcer than the

This lion has a distinctive “X” -shaped curl in the mane.

Varieties are known with mounting holes in the base

and without mounting holes. CGG No.: 103

HT: 10 inches

BL: 6 inches

WT: 4 lb. 14 oz.

BT: Indented, 1 pour hole

Rarity: R-5

Grampp Collection

The seal of this press reads: Sand Hill
Charter No. 168 R.A.M. RFD No 1
Richton Miss. R.A.M. is the

abbreviation for “Royal Arch
Masons”, a type of Masonic Lodge.

been observed.

other types.

This lion body style is the
same as the standard size
“Patented 1904 Lion” except
for the lack of the patent date
on the base and the
embellishments on the lower
part of the press body.

77

The 1904 Lion Press

CGG No.: 104 CGG No.: 105 CGG No.: 106

HT: 8 1/4 inches HT: 10 inches HT: 11 inches
BL: 5 1/4 inches WT: BL: 6 inches BL: 6 5/8 inches
3 lb. 4 oz. WT: 4 lb. 8 oz. WT: 5 lb. 14 oz.
BT: Indented, 1 pour hole BT: indented, 1 pour hole BT: indented, 1 pour hole
Rarity: R-4 Rarity: R-2 Rarity: R-5

In its mid-sized version (center below), The 1904 Lion Press is the most common Lion Head seal press that the

collector will encounter. The other variations illustrated on this page and the next can be a challenge to locate.
From its initial production, the 1904 Lion Press can be found with original seals dating to the late 1920’s. After
that, the combination of art noveau styles and the Great Depression led to the demise of the popularity of this style.
Several casting variations exist with the height of the base varying by as much as 1/8”, and with undrilled
screwholes in the base. There are many paint variations of this press, ranging from solid glossy black to flat black to

elaborate gilt decoration. Due to availability, these lions are fair game for re-use with modern seals.

Crider Collection 78

Crider Collection The Behemoth 1904 Lion

CGG No.: 107

HT: 23 1/4 inches
BL: 13 inches WT:
37 lb.
BT: Indented divided,
hollow neck, no pour hole
Rarity: R-7

The Behemoth Lion is usually found in the offices of government, and most are now relegated to storage or
museums. The base is not marked Pat’d Sept 27 1904 and there are some minor stylistic variations, but the
Behemoth is basically the same as the other 1904 Lions. The standard size is shown for comparison.

In 2006-2008, approximately 5 of these Lions appeared in various auctions. Each one was in pristine
condition and without seals. It is probable that they had been warehoused since their manufacture.

The Counterfeit Lion

Fake? Copy? Fantasy? Reproduction? Counterfeit? Call is as you see it, but these 1904-type Lions were
made in the early part of the 21st Century, not the 20th Century! These are apparently produced in China. Most
seals have oriental characters, or the seal is often lacking. These first appeared in on-line auctions offered by a

seller in Australia, without notation that they were newly made. After many complaints, the
seller now includes that information in the fine print of the description. Due to the
poor detailing and roughness of the casting, this counterfeit lion would not make a
fool of anyone. Most of these are painted solid black, although the collector
should expect to encounter different colors, such as the blue and
gold specimen illustrated.

Crider Collection

CGG No.: 108

Note: If there is an HT: 9 1/2 inches

active market for

such specimens, the BL: 5 7/8 inches WT:

manufacturer can be

expected to increase 4 lb. 3 oz.

the quality of his BT: indented, seal attached
product! with screw

Rarity: N/A

79

The Spineless Indented

Body Presses No Spine
The majority of the indented body presses have
a “spine” or wide ridge of metal along the back of
the body. But there are some which lack this
spine. Contributor Don Grampp has identified ten
different variations of the spineless group. They
are found with all the variations of bases
(indented, flat, divided, etc.) as other presses of
the same time period. The earliest of these
“spineless” presses apparently date to about 1865
and they disappear from the scene late in the
1880’s while the other indented presses persist
until the 1930’s . These average 10 1/2 inches in
total height and 7 1/4 inches in base length.

Spine

The Stampress. CGG No.: 109 of 1874 for a period of 7 years gives a
most likely date of 1874, with decreasing possi-
1 3/8 inches high by 3 1/16 inches long. 8 oz.
Patented Feb. 24, 1931, #1794337, by H. Levi.

Castanet style presses required the strength of Samson to
emboss properly, so the style was improved with a lever.
Rotating the lever counterclockwise separates the dies;
rotating it back clockwise makes the embossment. The
lever locks to the rear to save space in one’s pocket. This
is the only one of this type seen by the contributors. The
seal reads: Notarial Seal Lancaster County Nebraska.

James A. Plunkett (1840-1899) was thinking of bility each successive year until 1881.
posterity when he ordered his seal. His appointment date
80

1904 catalog

Crider Collection The Indented Body style of seal press has
been in production for well over a century, and a
few companies can still provide a customer with a
brand new one. There are many variations on the
Indented Body theme, and an entire volume would
be required to elucidate all the varieties. Most of
the varieties would rate an R-1 on the rarity scale,
but there are some at each level of the scale. All
the larger ones (16 lb. and up) could be considered
scarce to rare. Many of the older presses have
hand-painted decoration, which is copied by de-
calcomania on later versions. The Looped Handle
(illustrated on the left) is encountered less fre-
quently than the plain handle. The Indented Body
seal press offers great opportunities for the spe-
cialist. We have included a few unusual examples
in this book.

1912 catalog 1887 advertisement
81

The Indented Body Presses

The 1883 Patent Seal Press

Grampp Collection

U.S. Patent Office, best available copy In 1883, R. Hale Smith received two patents related to
seal presses. The first, D1389, granted on May 8, 1883,
was the design patent for the seal press body. The sec-
ond, 286496, granted October 9, 1883, was for a guide
pin/spring mechanism for the lever. This style of press
is known in at least 5 sizes, with enough variations to fill
a volume devoted to this press only, a task the authors
will leave to a new generation of collectors! Besides the
number of varieties, these presses will also interest the
collector of historical seals since they were made in
large numbers for about half a century.

The guide pin
which was the
subject of Hale’s
second patent.

See also CGG# 78.

82

The Moon & Star Press

Crider Collection CGG No.: 110

Star HT: 10 5/8 inches
Moon BL: 6 inches
WT: 4 lb. 4 oz.
BT: indented, 2 pour holes
Rarity: R-3

The seal in this press reads: The Gordon Lakeside Amusement Company
Cleveland Ohio surrounding the word SEAL . The Gordon Lakeside Park
was one of several intensely popular lake shore parks which existed in the lat-
ter part of the 19th century . The parks still exist today in altered form as the
Gordon State Park system. Nineteenth century amusement park memorabilia
is a blossoming collector’s field today. This press with this particular seal is an
example of how seal presses enter many different collecting genres.

The Grand National Press

This large press was given its whimsical name due to the seal it bears. The seal reads:
Seal of Third National Bank of St. Louis Missouri surrounding an eagle standing with out-
spread wings on a globe. The Third National Bank of St. Louis was chartered in 1882 and
this press probably dates to that time. The Third National Bank no longer exists today. The
site occupied by the Third National Bank is now occupied by St. Louis’ tallest building, One

Seal Company of St. Louis, a name CGG No.: 111
could not resolve. The name was
Company in 1875. Perhaps they still HT: 15 1/4 inches
BL: 10 inches
WT: 14 lb. 8 oz.
BT: indented, one pour hole
Rarity: R-7

The Moon & Star Press has a solid
flat cast iron body. A six-pointed
star is located on each side. It is both

cast-in and painted. The center of the
star is the lever pivot pin. On each
side of the press body there is a
crescent moon which is both cast-in
and painted. These presses may be
found with and without screw holes.
Seals in these presses dates them to
the 1890’s1920’s era.

Metropolitan Square.
The press has a very long flat spring.

It was made by S. G. Adams Stamp &
which presents an enigma the authors
changed to S.G. Adams Stationery
employed the older company dies when
this seal press was marked, or that
another Third National Bank existed prior
to the 1882 charter.

83

Grampp Collection The
Platt’s
Rarity: R-7
Tears

The seal reads: Idin Lodge I.O.O. Press
F. Hamilton Missouri surrounding
lodge symbols. Hamilton was estab-

lished in 1855 and the lodge was

formed in 1858, providing an appro- CGG No.: 112

priate time period for this press. His- HT: 10 1/2 inches
torical note: Hamilton was the birth-

place of J. C. Penney in 1875. BL: 6 3/6 inches WT:

6 lb.

BT: flat, one pour
hole

This press is one of many that pose unanswerable questions for the researcher. The whimsical name Platt’s Tears
is based on a fact and a supposition. The fact is that the press is decorated with a large tear-shaped symbol on each
side. The supposition is that this press is connected to Platt Evens and/or C.F. Hall. The press has characteristics
found only in the Evens presses including the pin in the die shaft body and general body profile. Although vestigial,

Theit also has a tail. Even the time period correlates with Evens and Hall. What do you think?
Kinyon’s No. 1 Press

Because they were actively used in trade, government, and commerce, it is unusual to find a seal press over a
hundred years old in the condition shown below. Over 90 % of the original paint is intact. The base of this press
has the enlarged area to be drilled for envelope attachment screws (this one is not drilled). The handle has side
panels and is generally similar to the handles of the Fist Press Series. The style of the base and the handle may
lead one to suppose that these came from the same foundry or designer as the Fist Press Series, another of the
mysteries of seal press history and evolution.

The seal states: U.S.
Low Elmira Chemung
County New York.

Grampp Collection CGG No.: 113

The front of this press is stenciled: HT: 10 5/8 inches
C.S. Kinyon New York Raritan BL: 6 15/16 inches
N.J.

Raritan was founded in 1868, giv- WT: 6 lb.
ing a “not-earlier than” date for this
BT: divided flat, one
pour hole

Rarity: R-6

84

The Napoleon Hat Press

The Napoleon Hat Press has that unusual whimsical CGG No.: 114
name because of the odd profile where the lever is at-
tached, but it is odd in another way as well. This seal HT: 11 3/4 inches
press will work properly with either a back or front BL: 7 3/4 inches
stroke! If the front stroke is used, it is imperative to util- WT: 6 lb.
ize the screw holes provided on the base or the press will BT: indented, no pour hole
tip over. To accomplish the front-back feat, the press is
equipped with an odd arched spring not seen on any other
press. This press has a semi-hollow neck.

Rarity: R-7

Grampp Collection

The seal reads: North Star Council No. 67
O.U.A.M. Quarryville Lan. Pa. The Order
of United American Mechanics was founded
as an anti-immigrant society after the first
wave of Irish came to American during the
Great Potato Famine in Ireland.

The Big Boy Press

The Big Boy press is a hefty press and the only one with this body style seen by the authors. The rebound spring
is internal within the press body, and the handle is massive. There is identifying labeling on the press which

titillates the collector: almost legible!
The seal reads: Bellville Lodge No. 306 I
O O F Ohio surrounding symbols of the
Odd Fellows fraternal order.

Crider Collection CGG No.: 115

HT: 12 3/4 inches
BL: 7 3/8 inches WT: 9 lb.
6 oz.
BT: flat, no pour hole
Rarity: R-7

85

The Red Rose Press

Seal reads: Mount Vernon CGG No.: 116
Chapter R. A. M. No. 3 Ber-
gen N.J. 1859. HT: 10 1/4 inches
BL: 6 inches
Grampp Collection WT: 5 lb.
BT: flat, one pour hole
Rarity: R-6

The two seal presses on this page and the Yellow Rose press on the following page are examples of a category
of similar body style presses which were in popular use from the 1850’s through the 1880’s. Though similar in

profile, there are ample differences in the seal body to encompass a number of varieties providing a fertile field for

specialists. Because these are hand-painted, no two of the flowers are exactly alike. Using the whimsical names

given these may be misleading, so use of the CGG number is recommended for reference purposes. Most have a
curious indentation in the handle perhaps indicating origins from the same foundry or designer.

The Mystery Flower Press

Perhaps painted by an appren-
tice, even a professional botanist
could not identify this flower!

Grampp Collection

Seal reads: C.E. Butler Fine CGG No.: 117
Watches and Jewelry 527
Warren St. Hudson N.Y. in HT: 10 1/2 inches
a shield-shaped seal. BL: 7 1/4 inches
WT: 5 lb.
BT: flat, no pour hole
Rarity: R-6

86

Grampp Collection

This huge press may be disassembled and used for a variety of pur-
poses. As found, it was set up as a three hole punch. It could also be
used as a seal press. The machine is easily broken down by removing
three screws. The press operates by camming action with no springs.
At one time there was a rubber “bumper’ on the body where the lever
comes down against it, but it has deteriorated on this specimen. Most
likely dates to the last quarter of the 19th century or first two decades
of the 20th century.

The Breakdown Seal Press

CGG No.: 118

HT: 18 inches
BL: 12 inches WT:
21 lb.
BT: Indented
Rarity: R-7

The Yellow Rose Seal Press

Decorated with hand painted An old press, probably from the 1850’s or 60’s with a large
yellow rose, from the days seal later recycled for a smaller seal. The “tail “ is similar
when labor was cheap! to the Cincinnati products of the 1850’s. The seal is Bart-

Grampp Collection lett-Logan GAR Los Angeles Department of California Apr.
17, 1884. “GAR” is Grand Army of the Republic, an or-

ganization of Union veterans of the Civil War.

CGG No.: 119

“Tail” HT: 15 1/8 inches
BL: 10 inches
WT: 16 lb.
BT: flat, one pour hole
Rarity: R-7

87

The Skinny Minnie Press

CGG No.: 120

HT: 7 3/4 inches
BL: 6 3/4 inches
WT: 2 lb. 9 oz.
BT: N/A (removable dies)
Rarity: R-4

Crider Collection Although the Roovers Pocket Press is very com-
mon, the Roovers Desk Press is not frequently en-
countered. This press has removeable dies. This
die type became popular in the 1930’s and is the
most frequently used die type today. The handle is
stamped steel and the cast iron body has three screw
holes.

The Security Seal

Press

the services of a locksmith! This is one of the few locking seal presses
other than those known only from patent
Grampp Collection illustrations. This is an “honest man lock”. All
it takes to defeat it is to remove the side plate on
the opposite side with a screw driver. However,
the lock will prevent some dishonest person
from making an unauthorized impression
without premeditation and stealth. Probably
from the 1st quarter of the 20th century,
collectors lucky enough to find one of these will
probably require

Grampp Collection CGG No.: 121

HT: 11 1/4 inches
BL: 6 3/4 inches WT: 5 lb.
BT: indented, 2 pour holes

Rarity: R-6

88

Grampp Collection The County Press
1912 Catalog
CGG No.: 122

HT: 21 inches
BL: 13 1/2 inches
WT: 36 lb. 8 oz.
BT: Indented, 2 pour
holes
Rarity: R-4

The County Press was popular in governmental offices, and many have been retired to state museums or
archives.

The press illustrated in the upper left corner was originally sold by Lang Stamp Works of Albany, NY. It was
founded by Charles M.A. Lang (1860-1934) in the 1890’s and the successor business is still operating today under
the same name. Lang was also an artist and sculptor who amassed a large collection of art which was sold at
public auction in 1932. It is possible (not proven) that he was the son of Charles Lang of Knox and Lang (q.v.).
The seal in this press is an Albany law firm and dates the press to the 1898-1907 period.

The press (bottom left) was once the seal for the Texas State Comptroller and it is presently on display at the
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas.

In 2004, a press of this type sold in an on-line auction for $3, 250.
The high price was achieved due to its seal which read: “San
Francisco Committee of Vigilance May 16 1856”. The short-lived
Committee of Vigilance is important to the history of San Francisco
and California, and artifacts of that era are eagerly sought by
collectors. However, the authors see this combination of seal and
press as an anachronism since they have not found any other evidence
that this press was manufactured prior to the 1870’s, more than a
decade after the Committee was defunct.. We hope the buyer was
able to obtain an iron-clad provenance with the press!

89

Good ol’ Seal Presses

As a general category, looped All on this page are
handle presses are seen less frequently Grampp Collection
than solid handled presses. This
indented body looped handle dates to 9
the 1870’s. There are at least three 0
different base styles found with this
press which vary in depth and width of CGG No.: 123
the indentations.
HT: 10 7/8 inches

The seal reads: Allegheny Pa BL: 6 7/8 inches WT:
Grange P of H 1874. 6 lb.

BT: divided flat, one
pour hole

This is an old press with a counter Rarity: R-3
die which is a thin copper disk
applied with adhesive. This type of CGG No.: 124
counter die is rarely found . The seal HT: 10 3/8 inches
states: Maine Lodge No.1 I.O. of BL: 6 1/4 inches
O.F. Chartered 9 Aug 1843. This WT: 4 lb. 10 oz.
is an early Odd Fellows lodge, the BT: flat, no pour hole
society being formed in the U.S. in
1819 in
Baltimore. This press probably dates
from the 1840’s-1860’s.

Rarity: R-6

This style of seal press may be found

as two varieties. A single known CGG No.: 125
HT: 10 3/4 inches
specimen has an internal coil spring BL: 7 1/4 inches WT:
5 lb. 4oz.
which allows it to

function on the back or forward stroke.

Others have a more conventional leaf

spring system. Circa 1850’s-1870’s.

1901. The handle of this press is slightly BT: flat, no pour hole
indented along its length and has a hole Rarity: R-6
at its tip, possibly for a tag. This, and
many other seal press styles, uses a CGG No.: 126
guide pin spring system which was HT: 9 1/8 inches
patented in 1883. The body is tear drop BL: 5 3/4 inches WT:
shape, accentuated by a gold pinstripe
on its borders.

The seal reads: Maryland Oil
and Gas Co, Inc.

5 lb. 4 oz.

BT: flat, 2 pour holes Looped
handle
Rarity: R-5 presses
are less
Good
ol’
Seal

Presses II frequently seen
than solid handle
This press might presses. Divided
appropriately be named the loops form only a
“Curly Cue Press” due to the small portion of
decorations cast into its sides. the looped
Thought to date circa 1890’s- handles. The
1910’s. The seal reads: body style of this
Plack-a-Mock #15 KOTM press is common
Otter Lake Quebec. This and has many
press dates prior to 1914 varieties. The
because the “Knights of the general style of
Maccabees” changed the this press
name to “The Maccabees” in appeared first in
that year. the early 1880’s.

Otter Lake was established in 1866. The seal
Today it is a village and recreational reads: John
area. Grover Colony
U O P F Dec
This seal press body is similar to the Kinion’s No. 1, 13 1887
although it lacks the base drill points for the envelope Marblehead
attachment. The handle is also very similar to the Kinion’s No. Mass. The
1 (q.v.). Circa 1860’-1880’s. UOPF means
United Order
The seal reads: Charles Pilgrim
Schurter Notary Public Ontario. Fathers.

All presses on this page are Grampp Collection BT: divided flat, 1
pour hole
91 Rarity: R-6

CGG No.: 127 CGG No.: 129
HT: 10 5/8 inches
HT: 9 3/4 inches BL: 6 1/4 inches WT: 5 lb. 2 BL: 6 1/2 inches WT:
5 lb.
oz. BT: indented, 1 pour
hole
BT: indented, 2 pour holes Rarity: R-6

Rarity: R-6

CGG No.: 128
HT: 10 3/4 inches
BL: 6 1/2 inches WT: 5 lb. 6 oz.

Smooth body presses arrived on the scene at the dawn CGG No.: 130
of the 20th century and are very common. Some of the HT: 10 1/2 inches
varieties are less common and quite interesting. This BL: 6 inches
smooth body press has two unusual features: the looped WT: 5 lb. 8 oz.
handle and cast-in star on the body. BT: indented, 2 pour
holes
The seal reads: Fishman Lodge 1212 Progressive Rarity: R-4
Order of the West Re-organized July 10, 1911 , a Jew-
ish fraternal organization established in 1896. The acro-
nym for this group, POW, gained a new and somber
meaning with the occurrence of the 20th century wars.

Many smooth body and indented body CGG No.: 131 (for
type)
presses may be found with a cast-in
“Keystone” symbol. These smooth body Rarity: R-4 (for type)

configuration.

Presses with the keystone symbol fre-
quently have seals from Pennsylvania and
surrounding states.

All on this page are Grampp Collection This set of interesting variants of the smooth body press have
cast-in swastikas as embellishments on the press body. The
swastika was used in the symbology of many civilizations
for thousands of years before it became the icon of the Nazi
government of Germany. In former history, the symbol usu-
ally indicated good fortune or good luck, but with the Nazis
it came to symbolize evil in an extreme form.

were manufactured CGG No.: 132 (for
before the rise of the type)

have nothing to do Rarity: R-3 (for type)

Good Ol’ Seal Presses III

examples have both the cast-in keystone and
the looped handle and are unusual in this

These presses
Third Reich. They
with Nazi Germany.
Presses of this type generally bear seals dated or related to the 1910’-1920’s. Being scarcer than the run-of-
themill smooth body press, they often bring a slight premium at auction. The long-reach press (back left) is
encountered less frequently than the standard style press.

92

The Frond Press

CGG No.: 133 (for type)

HT: varies
BL: varies
WT: varies
BT: varies
Rarity: R-1 to R-3

Grampp Collection The era of the ubiquitous smooth-
bodied seal press was ushered in at the
dawn of the 20th Century. The presses
decorated with cast-in leaf fronds may
be found in a variety of sizes and fin-
ishes. On many specimens the leaves
have been highlighted with gold paint
and some with silver paint. Besides the
black-painted models, some are known
with a bronze-wash finish. Although not
scarce, these sometimes bring a slight
premium.

Right: Long-reach seal press with cast-in leaf fronds. Although CGG No.: 134

there are some stylistic differences between the fronds, these long

reach presses are contemporary with the standard style press. HT: 13 inches

Below: Patent Office illustration for the press body. Patent num- BL: 10 inches

ber D32214 issued to J. Sigwalt and A.M. Willard, Feb 13, 1900.

WT: 14 lb. 12 oz.

BT: Indented, 2 pour holes

Rarity:

U.S. Patent Office Crider Collection
93

The Smooth Body Seal Presses

Crider Collection

Smooth Body Seal Presses are the predominant 20th century seal press
form. They exist in many sizes and many variations, and except for the larger
sizes (16 lbs. and up) merit only R-1 rarity values. Although considered unin-
teresting by some collectors, these presses offer fertile ground for those inter-
ested in historical seals or “hometown” memorabilia. Some of the smooth
body presses are termed “long-reach”, having a longer throat area so that the
paper may be more easily manipulated to place the embossment anywhere on
the paper, rather than just near the edge. Some have a device which latches the
lever in place when not in use, and some have embellishments cast into the
body.

A few suppliers still offer the smooth body press with custom seals.

Several of the unusual varieties are highlighted in this book.

94

The Razor
Back Press

CGG No.: 135

HT: 8 inches
BL: 5 1/8 inches WT:
3 lb. 8 oz.

BT: indented, 2 pour holes
Rarity: R-7

Grampp Collection

The Razor Back Press looks, in
silhouette, like one of the ubiquitous
smooth body seal presses. However,
this one is very different and is the only
one of its kind seen by the various
contributors. The back or spine of the
press tapers to a keen edge, unlike any
of the other smooth body presses. Cast
into the base are the words Patent Applied For. Stenciled on both sides is the
name of the seller: the J.P. Cook Company Omaha Neb. The seal is a Slovak
Society: Felijed Sokolky Tyrs. Zaloseny 9 Rijna 1898.

The Tiny Pocket Lever Press

This unusual Rantsch patent CGG No.: 136

Grampp Collection pocket press is indeed a lever press

than can fit 95
in one’s
pocket. The HT: 3 3/4 inches BL: 3 3/8

lever inches WT: 8 oz.
provides the
mechanical BT: N/A

advantage Rarity: R-3
to produce a

nice

embossment.
Made by the
Excelsior
Stationery Co.

Seal in this
one reads:
Stanley
Metal
Products
Corporate
Seal 1933.

The “Pocket Presses”

So-called “Pocket Presses” or
“Pocket Seals” began to proliferate
in the 1890’s. Some would require
rather large pockets! There are
many varieties of pocket presses
providing a fertile field of study
for the specialist. Several of the
more esoteric of the pocket presses
are highlighted in this book.
Though most types are quite com-
mon, there are scarce and even rare
varieties.

Crider Collection

“Folger’s Pocket Seal” “Wenthe’s Impression Seal” “Wenthe’s Pocket Seal Attachment
#836,108 Nov. 20, 1906 #1,253,756 Jan. 15, 1918 (base to convert to small desk press)
#1,165,474 Dec 28, 1915

“Rantsch’s Combination Maze’s Impression Seal
Desk and Pocket Seal” #1,369,290 Feb. 22, 1921
#1,852,587 Apr. 5, 1932
“Gebhardt’s Folding Seal Stamp”
#1,122,903 Dec 29, 1914 All Diagrams from U.S. Patent Office
96

Sargent Hand Stamp The Sargent Press
Number 44,459
September 27, 1864 CGG No.: 137

U.S. Patent Office Rarity: R-8

“The nature of my invention consists in so constructing and arranging
the platen or bed of a seal embossing press that it may be readily inserted
in an envelope, in order that the lettering may be made only on one side
instead of both, the back of the envelope being left untouched by the em-
bossing-type, and the raised letters on the front of the envelope being
more completely and uniformly formed than where it is necessary to
emboss both sides at once, as it is with all the seal and embossing presses
known or used before; and; again, where the embossing is made through
two thicknesses of paper, (or both sides of an envelope,) when they are
pulled apart one sheet is very apt to draw or tear the letters from the
other, thus defacing or spoiling the work, leaving holes in place of the
letters, whereas by my improvement this defect is wholly
avoided…..”.George B. Sargent

The authors have not observed this exact seal press “in the iron”,
although similar ones are well known.

This press has a base made for embossing enve- This press exhibits a body style almost exactly
like the patent diagram, including the large flat
lopes, just as described in the above patent, but the spring extending slightly beyond the body.
press body style is different. This press uses a coil