Seal Presses

A partly legible stencil on CGG No.: 139 “Otter Creek Lodge
this press reads: “- - - Sar- HT:12 5/16 inches No. 70 chartered
gent Pat’d. 186- Boston” BL: 7 1/2 inches 1865 Pittsfield Vt.”
WT: 6 lb. 2 oz. surrounding a Ma-
CGG No.: 138 BT: Divided flat, sonic compass and
1 pour hole square.
HT: 11 5/8 inches Rarity: R-6

BL: 6 1/4 inches

WT: 6 lb. 8 oz.

BT: indented di-
vided, 1 pour hole

Rarity: R-7

Grampp Collection Grampp collection

spring instead of a flat spring as indicated in the
patent. However, this press does not have the base made

especially for embossing envelopes!

Left: Seal reads N.H. Orphans
Home founded Oct 19 A.D.
1871 Webster Farm Franklin
N.H. This farm was formerly
owned by Daniel Webster.

98

The Stamper Press

C.D. Stamper CGG No.: 140
No. 1,628,914
June 11, 1912 Rarity: R-8

U.S. Patent Office “the invention has in view a press having
associated therewith a register to indicate the
number of impressions taken, the press and
register being so combined as to secure sim-
plicity of construction and insure the positive
operation of the register, access to the latter
being had only by the removal of a closure,
ordinarily in the nature of a hinged door, which
door is normally locked and sealed, and is to be
opened only by the proper officer…..with my
improved press, the officer keeps the key to the
door affording access to the register…..” Carter

Not observed “in the iron’ by the authors.

D. Stamper

D.H. Chamberlain The
No. 13423
August 14, 1855 Chamberlain

Press

CGG No.:
141

Rarity: R-8

This press could have been
made either as an ink stamp or as
an inked embosser (cameo) stamp.
This press has not been observed
“in the iron” by the authors.

“The press is operated by the
hand upon the knob F, the block E
being slid back and forth upon the
lever C so as to bring it
alternatively over the roll G for the

purpose of inking the types, and into the position seen in (the lower) figure, when it is pressed down by the hand
for the purpose of giving the impression…..” Dexter H. Chamberlain

U.S. Patent Office

99

The Burrows Press

Wm. Burrows CGG No.: 142
No. 50,556
Oct. 24, 1865 Rarity: R-8

This press has both an ink stamp and an embossing stamp.
It has not been observed “in the iron” by the authors.

“My invention consists in a novel arrangement of a mov-
able horizontally-swinging hand-printing stamp and a hand
embossing –press moving in a fixed arm attached to the same
standard in which the arm bearing the printing stamp
swings…..” William Burrows

U.S. Patent Office

The Hogan Press

This inking seal press may not have reached the production stage. It has

not been observed by the authors. CGG No.: 143
“My invention relates to an improvement in an impression seal press

with an automatic inking attachment affixed as an integral part thereof Rarity: R-8
C.C. Hogan
which provides not only for the indentation of the lettering and insignia
but also for the imprinting of such lettering and insignia with ink, thus
rendering the same more legible and easily read…..” Clarence C. Hogan

No. 2,
443,
137

May
27,

1946

Note: Contributor Don
Grampp deserves
extra accolades for
U.S. Patent Office many hours of patient
patent research on these
esoteric seal presses.

100

The Winpenny Press

Ellen. E. Winpenny

No. 772,990 CGG No.: 144
October 25, 1904
Rarity: R-8
U.S. Patent Office
“This invention relates to a notarial
seal, and the primary object of the same
is to provide a device in this class of light
weight and diminutive dimensions to
adapt it to be readily carried in the pocket
and convenient in its operation in making
an impression on a document. The
improved notarial seal is

shaped like a pair of pliers and is preferably
made of aluminum, and the two members The authors have not observed this press. It is being fulcrumed
at an intermediate point and doubtful that a one-handed operation of this having reversely-projecting grips
and impres-

press would impart a crisp impression. sion and seal carrying plates at the opposite
ends”…..Ellen E. Winpenny

The Jaffin Press

Geo. M. Jaffin & Jacob T. Although this , at first glance, appears to be the
Basseches ubiquitous smooth-bodied seal press, this particular
patent is an interesting variation from the norm. It has an
No. 2,005,340 interchangeable upper die which presses against a highly
resilient lower pad to make the impression. The authors
June 18, 1935 have not seen a press like this in the iron, although there
are myriad thousands of the regular smooth-bodied seal
presses.

“It is contemplated by our invention to utilize a single
metal engraved or otherwise formed die and associate
with the same , a yieldable and resilient support of
normally continuous contour, which, under the
tremendous pressure exerted by seal presses, will deform
itself to the contour of the complemental die, such as a
female member and mould or emboss an interposed sheet
with the requisite definition and clarity of
outline…..”George M. Jaffin & Jacob T. Basseches

CGG No.: 145

Rarity: R-8 (with resilient pad)

Patent Office

101

The Osborn Press

CGG No.: 146

Rarity: R-8

W. E. Osborn, who also patented “The Squirrel Press”, was awarded patent number 106398 on August 16,
1870, for a seal press with interchangeable dies.

“My invention consists in so arranging and constructing a press and seal or die and counter-die that the seal or
die and the counterdie, and each of them, may be removed at pleasure, and an infinite number and variety of
seals or dies, with their corresponding counter-dies, may be used in the same press, and in so arranging and
contriving the seal or die that a portion of the inscription thereon may be removed at pleasure, and an indefinite
number and variety of pieces, with different inscriptions or devices, may be substituted, without impairing the
impression…..”

The authors have not observed this seal press “in the iron”.

The Cameo

Samuel Smith and Charles Loekle patented this ink- Press 147
ing seal press, Patent Number 17757, on July 7, 1857.
This arrangement would produce a “cameo stamp”. CGG No.:
Cameo stamps are pursued by ephemera collectors, and
the seal press which produced the stamp are eagerly pur- Rarity: R-8
sued by seal press collectors.

U.S. Patent Office “The nature of our invention
U.S.P.O. consists of so constructing an ordinary
hand embossing press, and applying a
peculiar inking apparatus thereto, that
embossing and printing can be
performed with the greatest ease and
precision, rendering our pres applicable
to use in banks, offices, counting
rooms, and other locations where a
regular printer’s press would not be
available.

We do not claim a raised metallic
counter-die for embossing, neither do
we claim gutta percha or other elastic substances,
because these are well known, but instead a thin a thin
covering of covering of gutta percha over a metallic die,
to insure a perfect impression.”

The authors have not observed this press
“in the iron”.

102

The B.F. Day Press

B. Franklin Day CGG No.: 148
No. 11, 520
August 15, 1854 Rarity: R-8

U.S. Patent Office “The nature of my invention relates to the method to be hereafter
described, of arranging the levers, toggle arms, and follower, so that
by grasping the said levers in the hand, the follower will be brought
down to the block or bed; that is to say, by hinging the hand levers to
the stock, and the follower to the hand levers by means of the toggle
arms….

The so arranging of the levers, toggle and follower, as that by
grasping the handles in the hand of the operator the platen shall be
brought down hard upon the bed, the whole being arranged for the
purpose of a hand seal press…..” B. Franklin Day

The authors have not observed this press “in the iron”.

The Voght Press

“My invention relates to improvements in seal-presses in which the dies are removable and adjustable; and the

objects of my improvements are, first to provide removable and adjustable dies for a seal-press independent of

the press itself; second, to afford facilities for the proper adjustment of dies to any seal press, and, third, to make
the use of one press alone necessary in all cases…..” John P. S. Voght The authors have not observed this press
“in the iron”.

CGG No.: 149

Rarity: R-8

U.S. Patent Office

J.P.S. Voght
No. 361,972
April 26, 1887

103

U.S. Patent Office The Ramsay Cameo

A.M. Pardi Stamp
Seal Press
No. 675,404 CGG No.: 150
June 4, 1901
Rarity: R-8
U.S. Patent Office
“In hand stamps as ordinarily constructed, the inking of
made…..” the die or stamp is either a separate and distinct operation
from the stamping, involving an expenditure of time; or if
so constructed as to do both in one operation they are liable
to derangement of their parts.

To obtain a stamp that shall be self-inking, and perform
the stamping operation at the one movement of the hand of
the operator; and at the same time shall be substantial and
durable in its construction, is the object of my present
invention…….”

The authors have not observed this seal press “in the
iron”.

Readers with an interest in cameo stamps are directed to
Thomas Beckman’s treatise in “The Ephemera Journal”,
Volume 9, 2001.

The

Pardi Cameo Stamp

CGG No.: 151

Rarity: R-8

“One object of this invention is the production of a
sealpress for inking the paper upon which the seal
impression is made, as well as embossing it. The passage
of the inking roller over the female die provides for
coloring the background of the impression, the design of
the seal standing out in white above the said colored
background.

A further object consists in providing a resilient spring
for carrying the embossing die of the press. By means of
this mounting of the embossing die and impression may be
made upon one of several sheets of paper fastened together
or upon one side of an envelope without embossing
through
both thicknesses of the paper of which the envelope is

The writers have not observed this press “in the iron”.

104

The Gent Combination Press

CGG No.: 152

Rarity: R-8

The Gent Seal Press, Patent Number
638841 of Dec. 12, 1899, certainly mer-
its the designation of “unusual”. It is a
standard indented-body style seal press
incorporating a combination dial locking
mechanism. The authors have not seen
this press “in the iron”. The addition of
such a mechanism would have added a
considerable cost to the price of the
press. The demand for such a seal press
is questionable. It is probable that this
press was never produced.

U.S.P.O.

U.S. Patent Office. The Maidhof
Seal Press

CGG No.: 153

Rarity: R-8

Although the authors have seen
examples of English seal presses with
double spring on the exterior of the
press body, this particular press has not
yet been observed. Because this is a
relatively simple design, it is
reasonable to assume that these presses
were indeed produced. Many of them
may be lurking in old office closets
waiting for the day they will make
their debuts on the collector’s market.

H.S. Maidhof, Patent Number
911251, February 2, 1909.

105

J. M. Wilbur CGG No.: 154
No. 94,368
Aug. 31, 1869 Rarity: R-8

U.S. Patent Office “The nature of this invention relates to the con-
struction of a simple and convenient press for em-
bossing, to be used in stamping, in raised or em-
bossed work, initial letters, monograms, seals, &c.;
and consists of a combination of levers in such a
manner as to obtain the requisite power in a com-
pact and simple form…..” James M. Wilbur

The Wilbur Press

Although the patent description
emphasizes the „simple” nature of
this design, it is actually too

complicated. The authors have not
seen this press “in the iron” and
are doubtful that it ever reached

production.

The Strodtmann Press

“ The object of this invention is to prevent the use of the seal by unauthorized persons; and to this end the
invention consists of the combination, with the standard and the plunger which carries the moveable die, of a lock
which is arranged to engage the plunger with the standard when the former is at or practically at the lower
extremity of its throw, or, in other words, when the die-plate carried by the plunger or closely proximate to its
opposing die-plate fixed to the bed. The invention also consists in the construction of the frame of the press in
parts permanently riveted together and embracing the lock in such a manner as to render its removal impossible
without destruction of the press…..” John G. Strodtmann

CGG
No.: 155

U.S. Patent Office

Rarity: R-8

The writers have not
observed this press “in the
iron”.

106

The Fraser Seal Press CGG

No.: 156

Rarity: R-8
The Fraser Seal Press is one of the earliest
to appear in the Patent Records. The Patent
was awarded to John Fraser of new York
City on June 9, 1843, patent number 3127.

This press is not known “in the iron”.

“ Be it known that I, John Fraser, of the city, county,
and state of New York, have invented a new and useful
method of constructing notarial and office seals or presses
in such a manner as to render them perfectly portable and
preserve the seal from injury when not in use...what I
claim by my invention and desire to secure by Letter
Patent is the application of a shield or case to a notarial or
office seal by means of which the material which is used
for taking the impression is held within the shield thereby
securing a sharp contact and neat impression and in the
same time furnishing a portable press which can be used
in any convenient situation.”

The Chase Seal Press

CGG No.: 157

Rarity: R-8

The Chase Seal press is the earliest
known in the patent records. It is
unknown “in the iron”.

“Be it known that I, A. Ralston Chase, of the
city of Cincinnati, county of Hamilton, and State
of Ohio, have invented a new and useful
machine, called a “Seal Press”, for making
impressions from seals or other engravings upon
paper ….”

Both of the above illustrations from U. S. Patent Office

107

NAME COMMENTS PAGE
CGG # 14
14
1a Merriam Toad Press No letters on cap, $100 and up 14

1b. Merriam Toad Press Boston on cap, $100 and up 17

1c. Merriam Toad Press New York on cap, $150 and up 19

2. Merriam Lion Press $150 and up 15 22

3. Princess Press $150 and up 16

4. La Fleur Press $50 and up 16

5 Bison Percussion Press $150 and up

6. Bulldog Percussion Press $100 and up 18

7. Scotty Dog Press $100 and up 18

8 Castanet Press With pedestal, $35 and up

9. Castanet Press No pedestal, $35 and up 19

10. Sphinx Press No record. 20

11. Hall’s Improved Percussion Press $250 and up 22

12 Evens Percussion Press $250 and up

13. Evens Percussion Press Marked 1854, $300 and up 24

14. Almost Hall/Evens Press $150 and up 24

15. Evens Mega Sea Monster Press $250 and up 27

16. Evens Envelope Monster Press $300 and up 27

17 Evens (?) Mini Monster Press $300 and up 28

18 Evens Sea Monster I Press $125 and up 29

19 Evens Sea Monster II Press $125 and up 29

20 Evens Sea Monster III Press $125 and up 30

21 Evens Sea Monster IV Press $125 and up 30

22 Ornate Lever Press $350 and up 31

23 Genghis Khan Press $500 and up 32
24 Ram’s Horn Press $300 and up 33

25 Burdened Man Press No record. 34

26 Knox & Lang Lion Press No record. 35

27 Elusive Eagle Press No record. 36

28 Exquisite Eagle Press No record. 37

29 Regal Eagle Press $800 and up 38

30 Fancy Cuff Fist Press $1500 and up 40

31 Big Fist Press $1000 and up 40

32 Left Hand Fist Press $700 and up 41

33 Right Hand Fist Press $500 and up 41

NAME COMMENTS PAGE

34 Crenulated Cuff Fist Press $1000 and up 42 PAGE
35 43
36 Crenulated Cuff Fist w/envelope attachment $1250 and up 42

CGG # Blank Fist Press $700 and up 43

108
COMMENTS

160 Watch Case Press $50 and up

37 Squirrel Press $500 and up 44

38 Bison Lever Press $500 and up 45

39 Buffalo Lever Press $500 and up 45

40 Beaver Press $500 and up 46

41 “SBWH” Press $150 and up 46

42 Lovett Lion Press No record 47

43 Face Press $500 and up 47

44 Curl-on-Neck Lion Press I $100 and up 48

45 Curl-on-Neck II $100 and up 48

46 Curl-on-Neck III $150 and up 49

47 Curl-on-Neck IV $100 and up 49

48 Curl-on-Neck V $200 and up 50

49 Curl-on-Neck VI $100 and up 50

50 Curl-on-Neck VII $100 and up 51

51 Curl-on-Neck VIII $100 and up 51

52 Curl-on-Neck IX $50 and up 52

53 Curl-on-Neck X $50 and up 52

54 Curl-on-Neck XI $75 and up 53

55 Curl-on-Neck XII $75 and up 53

56 Curl-on-Neck XIII $100 and up 54

57 Curl-on-Neck XIV $50 and up 54

58 Curl-on-Neck XV $50 and up 54

59 Curl-on-Neck XVI $100 and up 55

60 Curl-on-Neck XVII $50 and up 55

61 Curl-on-Neck XVIII $100 and up 55

62 Curl-on-Neck XIX $100 and up 56

63 Curl-on-Neck XX $100 and up 56

64 Curl-on-Neck XXI $100 and up 57

65 Curl-on-Neck XXII $75 and up 57

66 Curl-on-Neck XXIII $100 and up 58

NAME

67 Great Curl-on-Neck Lion Press I $200 and up 59
68
69 Great Curl-on-Neck Lion Press II $200 and up 59
70
71 Great Curl-on-Neck Lion Press III $200 and up 59
72
Shield Neck Lion Press $300 and up 60
CGG #
Duck-Tailed Lion Press $250 and up 61

Leafed Lion Press $150 and up 61 73 Polka Dot Lion Press $150 and up

62

109

74 Natural Lion Press $125 and up 62

75 Chiseled Locks Lion Press $150 and up 63

76 Wavy Locks Lion Press $150 and up 63

77 Looped Lion Press $250 and up 64

78 Long Mane Lion Press $50 and up 64

79 Truncated Lion Press I $125 and up 65

80 Truncated Lion Press II $125 and up 65

81 Truncated Lion Press III $125 and up 66

82 Truncated Lion Press IV $125 and up 66

83 Truncated Lion Press V $125 and up 67

84 Truncated Lion Press VI $125 and up 67

85 Truncated Lion Press VII $125 and up 68

86 Truncated Lion Press VIII $125 and up 68

87 Truncated Lion Press IX $125 and up 69

88 Truncated Lion Press X $125 and up 69

89 Truncated Lion Press XI $125 and up 70

90 Childs’ Lion Press (Truncated Lion XXII) $250 and up 71

91 Child’s Indented Press $35 and up 71

92 Double Column Lion Press I $75 and up 72

93 Double Column Lion Press II $75 and up 72

94 Double Column Lion Press III $75 and up 73

95 Double Column Lion Press IV $75 and up 73

96 Double Column Lion Press V $75 and up 74

97 Little Lion Screw Press $75 and up 74

98 Great Double Column Lion Press $200 and up 75

99 Tiny Lion Press $75 and up 75

100 Florida Lion Press I $50 and up 76

NAME COMMENTS PAGE
80
101 Florida Lion Press II $50 and up 76

102 Florida Lion Press III $50 and up 77

103 Florida Lion Press IV $125 and up 77

104 Patent 1904 Lion Press (small) $75 and up 78

105 Patent 1904 Lion Press (standard) $35 and up 78

106 Patent 1904 Lion Press (large) $75 and up 78

107 Behemoth 1904 Lion Press $300 and up 79

108 Counterfeit Lion Press Caveat emptor 79

N/A Spineless Indented Body Presses $20 and up

109 Stampress $30 and up 80

110

NAME COMMENTS PAGE
CGG# 81
82
N/A Indented Body Seal Presses $20 and up
94
N/A Patent 1883 Seal Presses $20 and up 96
97
110 Moon & Star Press $35 and up 83

111 Grand National Press $250 and up 83

112 Platt’s Tears Press $250 and up 84

113 Kinyon’s No. 1 Press $75 and up 84

114 Napoleon Hat Press $150 and up 85

115 Big Boy Press $150 and up 85

116 Red Rose Press $50 and up 86

117 Mystery Flower Press $50 and up 86

118 Breakdown Press $100 and up 87

119 Yellow Rose Press $50 and up 87

120 Skinny Minnie Press $30 and up 88

121 Security Seal Press $100 and up 88

122 County Press $150 and up 89

123 Good Ol’ Seal Press I-A $50 and up 90

124 Good Ol’ Seal Press I-B $50 and up 90

125 Good Ol’ Seal Press I-C $50 and up 90

126 Good Ol’ Seal Press I-D $50 and up 90

127 Good Ol’ Seal Press II-A $75 and up 91

128 Good Ol’ Seal Press II-B $75 and up 91

129 Good Ol’ Seal Press II-C $75 and up 91

130 Good Ol’ Seal Press III-A $50 and up 92

131 Good Ol’ Seal Press III-B $50 and up 92

132 Good Ol’ Seal Press III-C $50 and up 92

133 Frond Presses $25 and up 93

134 Frond Large Long Reach Press $50 and up 93

N/A Smooth Body Presses $10 and up

135 Razor Back Press $35 and up 95

136 Tiny Pocket Lever Press $25 and up 95

N/A Pocket Presses $5 and up

N/A British Presses $10 and up

137 Sargent Patent Press No Record. 98

138 Sargent-type Envelope Press $200 and up 98

139 Sargent-type Seal Press $75 and up 98

140 Stamper Press No Record. 99

NAME COMMENTS PAGE
141 Chamberlain Press No Record. 99
3
CGG# 111 4
4
142 Burrows Press No Record. 100 5
7
143 Hogan Press No Record 100 7
8
144 Winpenney Press No Record 101 9
11
145 Jaffin Press No Record 101 21
108-112
146 Osborn Press No Record 102 113
33a
147 Cameo Press (Smith and Lockle) No Record 102

148 Day Press No Record 103

149 Voght Press No Record 103

150 Ramsay Cameo Stamp No Record 104

151 Pardi Cameo Stamp No Record 104

152 Gent Combination Press No Record 105

153 Maidhof Press No Record 105

154 Wilbur Press No Record 106

155 Strodtmann Press No Record 106

156 Fraser Press No Record 107

157 Chase Seal Press No Record 107

N/A Foreword

N/A Dedication (Ron Gonty)

N/A Don Grampp

N/A Collecting Seal Presses

N/A Rarity Ratings

N/A Condition and Functionality

N/A Anatomy of a Seal Press

N/A Dating Seal Presses By Don Grampp

N/A Seal Press Ephemera
N/A The Intriguing Story of Hall’s and Evens’ Seal By Chauncey Loomis

Presses

N/A Index and Value Guide

N/A Epilogue

158 Simple Percussion Press $25 and up 25

159 Ram’s Horn II $250 and up 33a

N/A Screw Press $350 and up

Prices given are general guide lines based on observed sales for a functional seal press in average

condition. Presses in extraordinary condition will be worth more. Presses with seals of particular

historical interest may bring more. Nonfunctional or rusty condition will be worth less.

112

Epilogue

NAME COMMENTS PAGE

Whew! Finished at last! Ten years of work and a century of collecting experience brought
together in one volume! Finished ! ! !

….and then reality sets in. This work is not nearly finished. Surely the figural and fancy
styles must be well represented here, but just as surely there are others to be discovered and
conveyed to some enthralled collector. Then there is the book on the Indented Body Presses
that must be done, the book on the Pocket Presses to be written, and the tome on the Smooth
Body Presses. Of course, the British and European presses need a reference work, too.

So much history, so little time! Perhaps there is in the universe some intrepid collector
who will take up the task of writing the volumes mentioned above. If you are blessed (or is it
cursed?) with a sense of history, could it be you?

Special thanks to all who helped with this book. Hopefully, each is noted at an appropriate
location in the text. Any omissions are unintentional because I certainly have a great apprecia-
tion for all the help and advice I received.

Cox Robert (Bob) Crider

Contacts:
Bob Crider : [email protected]
Don Grampp : [email protected]

Copyright 2010
All Rights Reserved

ISBN: