This 19th-century wax seal cube was used in to close personal letters with hot wax. This set offered six ready-to-use seals, each depicting a famous architectural sight of London. The choice of sights is an interesting mix of sights that were already centuries old, and more modern choices for the time, such as the Thames Tunnel and the Royal Exchange, which were both relatively new buildings when this seal was created.
The seals depict the following:
- Westminster Abbey
- House of Parliament
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- The Royal Exchange
- The Thames Tunnel (a pedestrian tunnel that opened in 1843, and was converted into a railway tunnel in 1869)
-
The Monument to the Great Fire of London
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: 16 x 14 x 14 mm. Each seal measures 12.5 x 11.5 mm.
Weight: 10.10 grams.
Age: Made in 1848: the date is inscribed with an (unreadable) inventory number on the side.
Material: Brass.
Condition: In good antique condition with only minor signs of wear, consistent with its age. All seals are in good condition and appear to have been barely used.