Nor Cal Seal News:
Noted Author and renowned Seal Expert Don Grampp from St. Lewis was here to visit the Nor Cal Seal Collection last month. Grampp the leading authority on all things seal was here to examine the rarer specimens of the Nor Cal collection to compare to his own collection of over 1500 seals and continue his extensive research. Grampp and collaborator Cox Crider penned the 2010 Figural Seal Collector Guide now undergoing a major second revision to reflect Gramps extensive new findings, new specimens and seal maker backgrounds. While traveling though the western US, Grampp visited all the rail museums along the way as Grampp is also very railroad and steam engine "knowledgeable". During Grampp's visit head Nor Cal Seal Curator Ehrlich and author Grampp visited California's former capitol Benicia and had the opportunity to examine the Great Seal and Press from the historic beginnings of California statehood from 1850. Grampp determined the Hoe Press on exhibit was late 1800's however the seal die stamp section was locked up somewhere in Sacramento. The current press could not have been the 1850's press So the official old capital museum site in Benicia has at best inaccurate information. While there Mr Grampp pointed me to an incorrectly described flag and later in the tour explained to the State Park Ranger guides the intricacies' of their massive historical state safe, as Grampp is also an extensive collector of historical safes. We found a similar seal in Nevada from the time of their statehood and curator Ehrlich will visit there soon to photo and measure their Hoe Co. manufactured seal. Grampp promised revealing updates on the California seal research.
And the Nor-Cal collection was enhanced by acquiring a few distinct lever seals from the Grampp collection, a truly rare event as the true collector will not usually part with a treasured historic seal. Happy Seal hunting to all readers/collectors/curators
Noted Author and renowned Seal Expert Don Grampp from St. Lewis was here to visit the Nor Cal Seal Collection last month. Grampp the leading authority on all things seal was here to examine the rarer specimens of the Nor Cal collection to compare to his own collection of over 1500 seals and continue his extensive research. Grampp and collaborator Cox Crider penned the 2010 Figural Seal Collector Guide now undergoing a major second revision to reflect Gramps extensive new findings, new specimens and seal maker backgrounds. While traveling though the western US, Grampp visited all the rail museums along the way as Grampp is also very railroad and steam engine "knowledgeable". During Grampp's visit head Nor Cal Seal Curator Ehrlich and author Grampp visited California's former capitol Benicia and had the opportunity to examine the Great Seal and Press from the historic beginnings of California statehood from 1850. Grampp determined the Hoe Press on exhibit was late 1800's however the seal die stamp section was locked up somewhere in Sacramento. The current press could not have been the 1850's press So the official old capital museum site in Benicia has at best inaccurate information. While there Mr Grampp pointed me to an incorrectly described flag and later in the tour explained to the State Park Ranger guides the intricacies' of their massive historical state safe, as Grampp is also an extensive collector of historical safes. We found a similar seal in Nevada from the time of their statehood and curator Ehrlich will visit there soon to photo and measure their Hoe Co. manufactured seal. Grampp promised revealing updates on the California seal research.
And the Nor-Cal collection was enhanced by acquiring a few distinct lever seals from the Grampp collection, a truly rare event as the true collector will not usually part with a treasured historic seal. Happy Seal hunting to all readers/collectors/curators
Fancy Hoe Co. Manufacturers, New York, 1800's Mythological Theme Screw Press. Hoe supplied many governments with presses including the Great Seal Press of the United States in Washington D.C.
