Gerry's Collection
of Antique Wax Seal Stamps
The Black Collection
Antique wax seal stamps with black ebonized wood handles, mostly turned from European hardwoods
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This stamp made of wood and brass is engraved with a beautiful coat of arms. The design features two rampant lions holding a shield, with a very small motto on the banner above the crest. The motto, Semper Fidelis, translates from Latin to "Always faithful" or "Always loyal." The crown depicted is that of a Baron. The shield displays a gold (Or) chevron, two lozenges, and another small rampant lion on a blue (Azur) background. These elements could provide more clues about the family.
Black-Handled Stamps in Wax Seal History. Common yet Enduring.
One cannot avoid noticing that many antique seal stamps have a black handle. The prevalence of black-handled wax seal stamps, often made of ebonized wood or naturally dark hardwoods like ebony or stained fruitwood, is closely tied to their practical function and widespread use in the 18th and 19th centuries. These black handles were typically utilitarian in nature: they were sturdy, discreet, and easy to turn on a lathe, making them ideal for both personal and administrative use. Unlike ivory or agate, black wood was more accessible and affordable, allowing for broader distribution among the bourgeoisie, lawyers, clerks, and minor nobility. Their dark, polished finish also masked wear and soot, especially in settings where seals were used frequently by candlelight or in dusty offices.
However, not all black-handled stamps were purely utilitarian. Some were carefully turned and finely finished, suggesting they still carried an element of personal taste or modest elegance. In fact, many such stamps were engraved with high-quality matrices with coats of arms, showing that the emphasis was often on the engraving itself rather than the opulence of the handle. Black-handled stamps were versatile and durable, making them reliable in everyday correspondence.
This stamp belonged to Antoine-Louis-François de Béziade (or Bésiade) (born 1759), Duke of Avaray. The title of Duke of Avaray was created in 1799 by the exiled royal government of Louis XVIII, elevating the County of L'Isle-Jourdain in Gers to a duchy-peerage in favor of Antoine-Louis-François. While serving Monsieur (the future Louis XVIII), he orchestrated the escape of Louis XVI’s brother from the Petit Luxembourg. The name Avaray came from a small seigneury in Loir-et-Cher, which had been associated with the Béziade family in the 18th century. On June 11th, 1817, after being restored to the throne, Louis XVIII confirmed the title and authorized its reversion to Claude-Antoine de Béziade (1740–1829), the father of the first duke. Summoned to the Chamber of Peers on August 17, 1815, he was granted the rank of hereditary duke and peer of France, with letters patent issued on December 8, 1817.
Claude Théophile de Béziade (1655-1745)
First Marquis of Avaray
Arms of Claude Antoine de Béziade
Duke of Avaray
Claude Antoine de Béziade (1740-1829)
Marquis, then Duke of Avaray
This stamp was one of the first to join my collection. It features a distinctive turned ebonized wood handle. The matrix is engraved with a heraldic coat of arms representing the union or marriage of two noble families. Above the shield, there are two crowned helmets with mantling, along with a greyhound and an angel as crests. A particularly interesting detail within the shield is the depiction of double arrows piercing a royal crown. This could be a reference to St. Edmund’s crown, though the direction of the arrows is reversed.
This stamp belonged to a member of the Agard de Rouméjoux family, from Perigord in France. Their coat of arms is "Azure, a semé of billets Or, two chevrons couped Argent over all". Research shows that Louis Côme Agard de Rouméjoux, born in 1809 at the castle of Chatelard, is a French general who fought in Crimea and was elevated to Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour. He was the son of Pierre, who was ennobled in 1825, and the uncle of Anatole de Rouméjoux. Anatole de Rouméjoux was elected president of the Historical and Archaeological Society of Périgord on May 27, 1893. He held this position until his death. He married Marie de Garrigues de Flaujac (1842–1937) in 1864. She came from an old family of Quercy. Their daughter Marguerite married Félix de Fayolle de Tocane, Marquis of Fayolle.
Louis Côme Agard de Rouméjoux
Alliance arms, de Fayolle and Agard de Rouméjoux
Watercolor of Perigueux, by Anatole de Rouméjoux
The engraving on this seal stamp is very nice, with the peer helmet being especially well-carved. The key feature of this coat of arms is the stone structure resembling a fortified gateway with detailed brickwork. In the arched opening there is a tiny figure. The figure resembles a rodent, like mouse (mice) or rat. Alternatively, it could be a bird, perched upright. It is not easy to identify, but a mouse or rat in a tower could be interpreted as a symbol of surviving under siege or overcoming adversity.
This is the alliance stamp of Jacques de Chièvres and Zénobie Aymer de La Chevalerie. Jacques was the son of Pierre de Chièvres (1769-1831), a French nobleman and political figure who was appointed by Napoleon Bonaparte, his former schoolmate, as a tax collector in Rouen. Jacque's wife, Zénobie, was the granddaughter of Louis René, and the grandniece of Louis René's sister: Henriette Aymer de La Chevalerie, born in 1767. During the French Revolution, Henriette and her mother were imprisoned for sheltering priests. After her release she joined the Association of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was through this association that she met Father Pierre Coudrin. Together, they founded the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, also known as the Picpus Congregation, officially established on Christmas Day in 1800.
Henriette Aymer de La Chevalerie 8 November (1767-1834)
Coat of arms of the family Aymer de La Chevalerie
Louis René Aymer de La Chevalerie
(1723-1778)
I do not especially like this particular piece. I find it too "shiny". But the arms, probably from Holland are nevertheless interesting. The overall style and imagery are consistent with patrician or merchant-aristocratic families in the Low Countries (Dutch Republic or Spanish Netherlands) in the 18th to early 19th century. The three-masted galleon points to naval service, maritime trade, or colonial ventures, common in Dutch and Flemish merchant families.
This stamp is engraved with the coat of arms of François Victor Remy, Baron of St. Ouen d'Ernemont, along with the Legion d'Honneur decoration. The St. Ouen d'Ernemont branch is a junior line of the St. Ouen sous Bailly family, which is believed to be extinct. The last known descendant was Berthe de St. Ouen d'Ernemont, who passed away in 1930. Berthe de Saint Ouen d'Ernemont, born in November 1846, married Henri d'Anjou, Marquis, in June 1879. The senior line of the St. Ouen sous Bailly family is believed to have originated with Guillaume I de Saint Ouen, Seigneur de St. Ouen, who lived in the mid-12th century and is the ancestor of the d'Ernemont branch. This family is believed to have become extinct with the death of Berthe.
Based on the details of the Viscount crown, this small stamp may originate from Italy. The shield is adorned with a star and a lion. When a lion and a star appear together in a coat of arms, they often symbolize a noble lineage aspiring to greatness, while embodying strength and protection. This combination can suggest a guiding presence, with the lion offering courage and the star representing high aspirations or divine favor. It is all symbolism...
The coat of arms on this seal stamp dates back to the Napoleonic Empire. For his Imperial aristocracy, Napoleon created a new heraldic system, which was partly based on pre-1789 heraldry, but also incorporated many new elements. For example, crowns were replaced by a system of caps. Above the shield on this stamp, we can see the heraldic cap for a Baron. The caps worn by Barons were depicted with feathers, which served as decorative elements, enhancing the overall grandeur and distinction of the noble rank. It’s also interesting to note that the title of Marquis was not officially recognized in the Imperial nobility under Napoleon. The titles established for the new nobility included Prince, Duke, Count, Baron, and Chevalier.
On this stamp, the left (dexter) shield - from the viewer of the stamp's matrix' point of view, meaning the sinister, or right side when stamped in wax - shows what seems to be a griffin issuant and segreant, meaning with its wings expanded. The shield could be interpreted as "Per fess Azure and Argent, a griffin segreant issuant from the line of division". On the other shield, the sinister shield, we can clearly see a fish, which looks like a salmon or a trout, with two poles with banner, crossed in saltire.
This wax seal stamp is an intriguing exception in my collection. The coat of arms is not from a European noble family, but rather the coat of arms of Cuba. A rare find. The arms of Cuba were originally designed by Miguel Teurbe Tolón (1820–1857), a Cuban who lived in exile in the United States. It is a complex and symbolic emblem officially known as the "Escudo de Cuba" that was adopted in 1906 by Tomás Estrada Palma, the first president of Cuba, though its original design dates to 1849. It is rich in iconography representing the island’s geography, political ideals, and history. The chief depicts a key between two rocks, symbolizing Cuba as the "Key to the Gulf" between North and South America. The blue and white stripes represent the five departments of Cuba. The royal palm tree symbolizes the Cuban character: strong and resilient. ​​
Tomás Estrada Palma (1835-1908), who officially adopted the coat of arms of Cuba
The coat of arms of Cuba
Miguel Teurbe Tolón (1720-1857), the creator of the coat of arms of Cuba and the flag of Cuba.
This tiny wax seal stamp is quite an interesting item. It features engravings on both ends. One end displays a coat of arms with a crown and two shields, while the other end shows the same crown accompanied by a monogram. It’s uncommon to find such a stamp, especially one so small, only 5.2 cm high. With a matrix measuring just 1.2 x 1.5 cm, the engraving must have been very challenging to create, which likely explains why the coat of arms is not easy to analyze without zooming in the picture.
The handle of this old stamp from France is simple in design, but the engraved coat of arms is interesting. Beneath the chevron appears an unfurled mast. Further research is needed to identify the owner of the seal, but this nautical reference indicates naval service or seafaring tradition. Although different in composition, Admiral Louis-Jacques Epron de la Horie also bore a mast in his coat of arms.
In heraldry, the depiction of camels or dromedaries (Arabian camels) is rare. A coat of arms like the one engraved on this stamp is uncommon. One French family, however, is known to have such arms: the Calmels d’Artensac. Yet we cannot be certain that this stamp belonged to a member of that family. The engraving includes a count’s coronet, while the Calmels d’Artensac family is not listed among the noble families of France. In French heraldry, coats of arms were not the exclusive privilege of nobles, provided they did not display coronets, supporters, or compartments, elements reserved for the titled aristocracy. That said, historical documents do mention the name of Antoine Gustave Calmels d’Artensac, a 19th-century notary in Gramat, as the owner of the Château de Thégra. If the stamp did not originate from the Calmels family, one might speculate that it belonged to a French noble with service in the Régiment des Dromadaires, Napoleon’s camel-mounted regiment formed during the Egyptian campaign. The motto Nil Timere, Latin for “To fear nothing”, could further supports this interpretation.
This large stamp is carved from black stone. The round shield is engraved with the arms of the French city of Herlincourt. While one might speculate that the round shield indicates it belonged to a woman, it could just as well have been used by the administration of Herlincourt. The city’s history is closely linked to the Wartelle d’Herlincourt family. To avoid confusion with their arms - since the family still exists - the design was modified by removing the two silver stars from the chief. Pierre Mathias Joseph Wartelle, later Baron d’Herlincourt, returned to France in 1800 after the Revolution, during which his father had been executed. In 1806, he held the post of Captain of the Garde Nationale. He later served as President of the conseil général of Pas-de-Calais and became Mayor of Arras in 1813. That same year, he was created Baron of the Empire, a title later confirmed by Louis XVIII, after which he became known as Pierre Mathias Wartelle d’Herlincourt.
Pierre Mathias Wartelle d'Herlincourt (1773-1856)
1st Baron of Herlincourt
The coat of arms of the family Wartelle d'Herlincourt
Edouard Wartelle d’Herlincourt (1832-1898)
3rd Baron of Herlincourt
The engraving on this stamp features corn plants. In heraldry, corn plants (often represented as wheat or other grains) symbolize abundance, fertility, and agricultural wealth. They can also reflect a connection to the land and a community’s agricultural heritage. In a coat of arms, corn plants may be depicted in various ways—whether as part of a shield or as decorative elements—highlighting the importance of agriculture to the family or region represented.
An old and likely frequently used wax seal stamp from Austria. Marks like these are evidence of the rich history this object carries. Notably, the ceremonial helmet (Prunkhelm) is featured as one of the crests.
This stamp originates from Germany. However, the crest features what appears to be a triple-headed eagle. The triple-headed eagle is historically associated with the Byzantine Empire, the Holy Roman Empire (where it symbolized the emperor's rule over multiple territories), Russia (representing the unity of the Russian principalities and the Orthodox Church), and even Armenia and some Slavic nations.
An unusual addition to the collection, this stamp is not from a noble family but is nonetheless quite interesting. It originates from the Royal Legation of Romania in Copenhagen. Romania maintained a royal legation in Denmark from 1920 until 1940 as part of its efforts to strengthen international relations during the interwar period. The legation was upgraded to an embassy in 1947, following World War II. Romania was a monarchy from 1881 to 1947. The Kingdom was established in 1881, when Prince Carol, of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen family, was crowned King Carol I. The Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen family was a branch of the German Hohenzollern family. The last monarch of Romania was King Michael I, who was forced to abdicate in 1947, under pressure from the communists backed by the Soviet Union. Today, there is no monarchy in Romania, but the royal family still exists, headed symbolically by Margareta, the daughter of King Michael I.
Carol I of Romania (1839-1914)
The first king of Romania
The arms of the Romanian monarchy
Michael I of Romania (1921-2017)
The last king of Romania
Another classic and elegant stamp, featuring the coat of arms representing the alliance of a noble couple. The Argent shield is charged with a swan, which in heraldry often symbolizes grace, beauty, love, and sometimes loyalty or fidelity. The Gules shield is charged with a garb, a stylized depiction of a sheaf of wheat or other grain, typically tied with a band or ribbon. This is a common charge in heraldry, symbolizing harvest, agricultural wealth, or prosperity.
This is a fine stamp engraved with the coat of arms of a Baron of the Faure de Lilate family from France. There are several variations of the coat of arms, which makes it difficult to identify the specific owner of this stamp.
The engraving on this stamp depicts the arms of the Drummond of Melfort family, a cadet branch of the House of Drummond. The Drummonds were one of the most distinguished families in the Scottish Highlands. Their main line held the title of Lord Drummond, later Earls and Dukes of Perth. The Drummond of Melfort branch was founded by John Drummond (1649-1715), the younger brother of James Drummond, 4th Earl and 1st Jacobite Duke of Perth. The motto on the coat of arms reads "Dei dono sum quod sum," which translates to "By the gift of God, I am what I am". Looking at the second shield, and after some research, we can assume that this stamp belonged to Jacque-Louis (or James-Lewis) Drummond, 4th Duke of Melfort, and Aglaé d'Oms, who came from an ancient French noble family, who held the titles of Marquis of Oms, among others.
James Drummond (1713-1746)
Seal stamp engraved with the arms of Drummond and d'Oms
Aglaé d'Oms (1767 - )
This is another example of a classic shape for a wax seal stamp. The engraving features the coat of arms of a couple, with two shields beneath a noble crown. In the second shield, we can see two hands. Hands are highly symbolic in heraldry, and their meaning can vary depending on their depiction, position, and context. The hands here are Dexter hands, meaning right hands. In heraldry, the right hand is considered the more honorable or virtuous side and is often associated with strength or justice.
This antique seal was purchased in France and may have belonged to the Megange (or Mengen) family. Some sources suggest that the family is a branch of the Warnesberg-Raville family, while others connect it to the van Beeck family. As a result, the exact origin remains unclear.
The crest on this coat of arms features a winged lion. In heraldry, a winged lion typically symbolizes strength, nobility, and protection, combining the qualities of a lion with the notion of flight or divine power. This figure is often linked to various cultural and religious contexts, such as the Lion of Saint Mark in Venice, which represents the evangelist Mark and signifies courage and authority.
On this stamp we can see a mark of cadency: Quarterly argent and gules, a label with four pendants overall. A label consists of a horizontal band with multiple pendants and is typically used to signify the eldest son during his father's lifetime. Similar arms were used by various families, including the de Dol family in France, and the Castell family in Germany.
This seal stamp bears the arms of the "ultraroyalist secret agent" Jacques Imbert-Colomès (1729-1808). Married to Catherine-Victoire Colomès in 1764, Jacques Imbert became known as Imbert-Colomès. Mayor of Lyon, magistrate, and later royalist agent, Imbert-Colomès was a pivotal figure in Lyon during the French Revolution. Though initially sympathetic to moderate reforms, he soon clashed with radical Jacobins and resigned from his post. During the siege of Lyon (1793) and the repression that followed, he fled into exile. After going underground, Imbert-Colomès became involved in secret royalist activities. He maintained links with the exiled Bourbon monarchy. His role included sending discreet correspondence and intelligence gathering for royalist causes. This activity earned him the nickname "L’agent secret lyonnais ultraroyaliste”, the ultraroyalist secret agent from Lyon.
Seal stamp of Jacques Imbert-Colomès
Jacques Imbert-Colomès (1729 - 1808)
Portrait of Jacques Imbert-Colomès in 1790
This elegant small wax seal stamp belonged to a noblewoman. The round shield is a distinctive feature often seen in the coats of arms of women and sometimes non-combatants. The crown appears to be that of a Viscountess. It makes a lovely addition to the collection. On the quartered shield we can see two that are semé (strewn or scattered) with small escutcheons (écussons). It is a less common but legitimate heraldic pattern which can represent multiple alliances, shields of vassals or dependents.
This is the alliance stamp of Michel Rouchet de Chazotte and Emma de Missolz. Michel pursued a modest military career before living off inherited property. The du Rouchet de Chazotte line traces back to Joseph du Rouchet de Chazotte de Carrière (1768–1812), who inherited the estate of Chazotte in 1795. The family held landed estates around Arlebosc, in the Ardèche region of southern France. Various members served in military or ecclesiastic roles, and the family remained local landowners across the 19th century. Emma likely came from a comparable social milieu, though less documented. The de Missolz family name suggests a provincial aristocracy or gentry. Available genealogical sources identify Emma simply as belonging to that family, without further detailed lineage. We can notice a crown engraved on the stamp, but there are no records of the family having had any noble title. Living in a castle, they could however have used "courtesy title".
Michel Rouchet de Chazotte (1834-1873)
Coat of arms at the Castle of Chazotte
Confirmation of the de Missolz arms
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Gerry's Collection of Antique Seal Stamps.