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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The coat of arms of this seal stamp could be the one of the de Caze family (originally Caza), a noble house established in France during the early sixteenth century, and traditionally said to be of Italian origin. According to genealogical accounts, Jean Caza, who later adopted the French form de Caze, left Italy around 1510 and settled in Lyon. In France the family entered royal service and gradually became integrated into the administrative and noble society of the kingdom. Early descendants appear as écuyers and officers, while others served as auditors of accounts or royal officials in cities such as Lyon, Montpellier, and Marseille. Through service and advantageous marriages, the family acquired a number of seigneuries in Lyonnais, Languedoc, Provence, and later Île-de-France. From these holdings emerged different branches. Among them was the line de Caze de La Bôve, whose members held the barony of La Bôve; the branch produced figures such as Gaspard-Hyacinthe de Caze de La Bôve, Baron de La Bôve. Other members were écuyers and vicomtes.
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.
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This seal 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
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This stamp belonged to a member of the von Spaun family, from Austria. The family originated in Swabia, with its earliest known ancestor, Bartholomäus Spaun, a farmer and yarn boiler recorded between 1583 and 1599 in Deisenhausen. The family later achieved prosperity in Linz, Austria. In 1721, Franz Anton von Spaun, a Doctor of Civil and Canon Law and syndic of Lower Austria, was ennobled as Edler von Spaun and raised to the rank of Imperial Knight. His son, Simon Thaddäus Ritter von Spaun, became part of the Upper Austrian knighthood in 1776. In 1844, Heinrich Ritter von Spaun, a canon in Olomouc, received Bohemian Inkolat. The family reached baronial rank in 1859 when Joseph Ritter von Spaun, an imperial privy councillor, was created Freiherr. In 1902, Admiral Hermann Freiherr von Spaun extended this baronial status to the industrialist Max Ritter von Spaun, ensuring the continuation of the family’s elevated standing.
Schubert evening at Knight von Spaun
The full achievement of the family von Spaun
Franz Anton von Spaun
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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
Arms, de Fayolle and Agard de Rouméjoux
Armorial de la noblesse du Périgord, 1891
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This seal is engraved with the arms of Nicolas Gayant: Argent, a sable monument pierced by an arch of the field, representing the entrance to an underground canal, beneath which flows an azure river supporting a vessel Or; in base, a champagne Gules occupying one third of the shield, charged with the badge of a Knight of the Empire. Antoine-Nicolas Gayant (born 6 December 1756) was a senior engineer of the French Corps des Ponts et Chaussées. As Divisional Inspector, he played a key role in the execution of the Saint-Quentin Canal, a major infrastructure project. Gayant was created Chevalier de l’Empire on 25 March 1810. His coat of arms reflects his professional achievements: the arch symbolizes the canal’s underground passages, the river represents navigation, and the golden ship signifies commerce and transport. The imperial knight’s badge marks his integration into Napoleon’s new nobility.
Representation of Nicolas Gayant
Arms of Nicolas Gayant
Napoleon orders the excavation of the Saint-Quentin Canal
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This seal stamp is engraved with the alliance arms 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)
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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.
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This seal 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.
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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...
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The coat of arms engraved 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.
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This seal displays the heraldic alliance of the von Reibold (also Reiboldt) and Mangold (also Mangoldt) families. The von Reibold family belonged to the nobility of the Vogtland region and was widely established in the Margraviate of Meissen, Upper Lusatia, and Lower Lusatia. Johann (Hans) Reibold, councillor and Rentmeister in Meissen, was raised to the Bohemian nobility on 27 October 1549, and a later branch of the family attained the rank of count. Members of the family owned several estates, including Polenz (now part of Neustadt in Saxony) as well as Neundorf and Reinsdorf near Plauen. The alliance represented on this seal can be traced to the marriage, in 1842, of Agnes von Reiboldt of the House of Polenz (1817–1901) and Gustav von Mangoldt (1804–1875). Their son, Major Erich von Mangoldt (1856–1924), was authorised on 28 May 1878, and again on 20 March 1888 in Dresden, to unite the name and coat of arms as Mangoldt-Reiboldt. The Mangoldt family itself originated from an old Austrian noble background, with roots in Poserna.
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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.
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This tiny seal stamp (only 5 x 1cm) belonged to Arsène O'Mahony and Eugénie Garnier de Falletans. The O’Mahony (Ó Mathghamhna) family is of Irish origin, with later continental branches in France and Italy, established through exile, military service, and integration into Catholic Europe. They originate in Munster, chiefly in present-day County Cork, where they were among the ancient Gaelic ruling families. Their name derives from Mathghamhain (“bear”). As hereditary chiefs, they exercised authority in Gaelic Ireland, a form of native nobility distinct from later feudal titles. From the late 16th century, following the Tudor conquest, the Nine Years’ War, and the Cromwellian confiscations, the O’Mahonys lost most of their lands. Like many families, they joined the Irish diaspora known as the “Wild Geese.” Branches settled notably in France and Italy, where they integrated into local elites. In France, several O’Mahony lines were recognized as noble or treated as such under the Ancien Régime, often intermarrying with established families such as Garnier de Falletans, a French noble lineage originating in Franche-Comté, more precisely in the region around Falletans (near Dole, in present-day Jura). The family name derives from this locality, indicating seigneurial roots and long-standing territorial attachment. The Garniers belonged to the noblesse de robe and provincial nobility, with members serving in judicial, administrative, and municipal offices under the Ancien Régime.
Pierre Ferdinand Garnier de Falletans (1733 - 1806)
Coat of arms O'Mahony
Barthélemy, comte O'Mahony (1748-1825)
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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.
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In heraldry, the depiction of camels is rare. A coat of arms like the one engraved on this seal stamp is not so common. One French family, however, is known to have such arms: the Calmels d’Artensac. The Calmels d’Artensac family is an old French lineage originally from Auvergne that settled in Languedoc around the mid-sixteenth century. Several branches had their nobility formally confirmed in 1668-1669 by the intendant Bazin de Besson. Pierre Calmels, councilor to the King at the Présidial and Sénéchal of Cahors, did register his coat of arms in the Armorial Général of 1696, in the form still borne by the present representatives of the family. The family is associated with provincial offices, particularly in the magistracy and local administration, reflecting the typical profile of the Languedoc nobility of the robe. The name likely refers to a local estate called Artensac. 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.
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This large seal stamp, carved from black stone, bears the arms “D’azur au chevron d’or accompagné en pointe d’un croissant d’argent”. The original owner has not been identified. The use of a round shield may suggest that the seal belonged to a noble lady, although it could equally have been employed by a municipal administration. Indeed, such arms are relatively common and were used by several families, including du Hamel and du Rieu, as well as by the town of Herlincourt. The history of Herlincourt is closely associated with the Wartelle d’Herlincourt family, whose coat of arms is similar but additionally charged with two silver stars in chief. Since this family still exists, the town’s arms were later modified to avoid confusion by removing the two stars from the chief, leaving the simpler design seen on this seal. Other families used the same coat of arms, such as the families Duchon, d'Arsemalle, and Perrenot, with various ranks of nobility.
Arms of Marie du Rieu
Edouard Wartelle d’Herlincourt (1832-1898)
3rd Baron of Herlincourt
Arms of Bernard d'Arsemalle de la Blanchardiere
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The engraving on this seal 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.
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This seal stamp was acquired from an antique dealer in Austria. It is engraved with the quartered coat of arms of the family In der Maur auf Strehlburg und zu Freifeld family, usually known simply as Indermaur (or In der Maur). They belonged to the historic nobility of the County of Tyrol. Their origins lie in the Alpine region, where the family established itself through landownership, military service, and participation in regional administration. Over the centuries, the Indermaur family became firmly integrated into the Tyrolean elite, holding estates and exercising local influence in both civil and defensive affairs. In recognition of their loyal service to the Habsburg crown, the family was elevated to the hereditary Austrian baronial rank (Freiherrenstand) in 1703. This elevation marked their full integration into the higher nobility of the Austrian hereditary lands. As barons, the Indermaur family enjoyed enhanced social standing, the right to bear more elaborate heraldic arms, and greater access to court and provincial offices. Their principal seats are Strehlburg and Freifeld.
Drawing of the In Der Maur arms
Carl von In der Maur auf Strelburg zu Freifeld
Arms of the Tyrolean In der maur of Strelburg and Freifeld
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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.
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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
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This seal stamp displays an alliance coat of arms. The coronet of a count supported by lions indicates a couple of high social standing. The left shield, charged with a garb corresponds to arms borne by several noble families of France, particularly in Languedoc, Velay, Rouergue, or Auvergne, where the garb symbolized landownership, fertility, and seigneurial rights. The right shield shows a pelican in her piety, feeding her young, a symbol frequently adopted by Catholic noble families.
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This is a fine stamp engraved with the coat of arms of Baron Alfred Faure de Lilate, born in 1807 in LiIlers, in northern France. The family is relatively little-documented. It was not a major aristocratic house but rather a provincial family.
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This interesting seal stamp depicts the alliance coat of arms of Jacque-Louis (or James-Lewis) Drummond, 4th Duke of Melfort, and Aglaé d'Oms, who came from an ancient French noble family that held the titles of Marquis of Oms, among others. The Drummond of Melfort family is 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".
James Drummond (1713-1746)
Seal stamp engraved with the arms of Drummond and d'Oms
Aglaé d'Oms (1767 - )
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The engraving on this wax seal stamp 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.
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This antique seal stamp 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.
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This is a seal of the Santoll family, which appears in heraldic and genealogical records as a lineage of Italian origin that later spread into Central Europe. According to these sources, the family first came from Italy, and during the early modern period moved northward through Hungary, particularly Varaždin, and Styria (Marburg, today Maribor). From there a branch eventually settled in Vienna, where members of the family are documented in the nineteenth century. Historical references mention Eugenio Santoll, recorded in 1634 as a professor at the University of Padua, indicating the family’s early connection with academic life. Another figure, Benvenuti Santoll, is noted as a scholar living in Florence in 1681. Later generations appear in Austrian records as educated professionals and civil servants. The coat of arms shows a griffin holding a palm above three roses.
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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.
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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.
Jacques Imbert-Colomès (1729 - 1808)
Seal stamp of Jacques Imbert-Colomès
Portrait of Jacques Imbert-Colomès in 1790
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While I cannot identify the owner of this elegant seal stamp with certainty, I nevertheless found interesting clues. First, I found the near-exact arms in the Archives of the Société Française des Collectionneurs d'Ex-Libris, tome 40, of 1933. Unfortunately, while there is information about the person who owned the arms, his name is not mentioned (!). Further research led to an ancient "Recueil de Généalogies", by Casimir de Sars de Solmont. In this doccument, we can see that Charles Auzanet (also spelled Auzannet) de Bauvaire owned similar arms. So, we could speculate that the seal stamp belonged to a lady, descendant of the Auzanet de Bauvaire family.
Similar arms, from the archives of Société Française des Collectionneurs d'Ex-Libris
Arms of Charles Auzanet de Bauvaire
Mention of Charles Auzanet de Bauvaire in the Recueil de Généalogies, by Casimir de Sars de Solmont
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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
Gerry's Collection of Antique Seal Stamps.