A seal is an engraved stamp for making impressions on sealing-wax. The seal was made by heating sealing wax and dropping it onto the paper, and then placing the seal into the soft wax. Seals were originally used to provide authenticity to documents and proclamations, and in the 19th century to seal letters, before the introduction of the gummed flap. Seals were often set into rings, hung on watch fob chains or neck chains, and there was also a more substantial freestanding desk model with a handle. The seal could be made of any material that could be finely engraved with a monogram or other symbol, including agate, black onyx, bloodstone, cornelian, jasper and lapis lazuli. For desk seals, materials used for the handles included gold, pinchbeck, ivory, hardstones, silver, brass, steel, and coloured twist glass. Seals were fell out of use with the introduction of the penny post more...
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