{"product_id":"19thc-bronze-alloy-sidmouth-harbour-company-1836-desk-seal","title":"19THC BRONZE ALLOY SIDMOUTH HARBOUR COMPANY 1836 DESK SEAL","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeal Detail\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rare and unusual bronze alloy two-matrices desk seal relating to Sidmouth, a town on the south coast of England.  The integral bronze handle of tapering form with an affixed raised flat circular top, within which is engraved a naive depiction of a harbour scene with ship, and a circumscription within a lined border reading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSIDMOUTH HARBOUR COMPANY\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe other end of the handle terminates in a squared section, upon which is an engraved depiction of a running fox on a ground and inscription reading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTALLY HO!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a seal for the Sidmouth Harbour Company which was formed in 1836 to build a permanent harbour for the town. Many proposals over the centuries have been proposed for a protected harbour, and most did not progress beyond the initials planning. In only two cases was any physical work actually carried out, in 1836 and 1875.  This seal relates to the former attempt.  The company was formed in 1836 and we have evidence of the company seal and original share certificates dated 5th December 1836.  Interestingly, they are very similar to the seal offered here but they are actually different.  The shape is different and the share certificate bears the wordning \"Incorporated 1836\" which this seal does not.  Why there would be two seals is a mystery but an intriguing one. Why the wording \"Tally Ho!\" also.....  Whatever the explanation, this is a charming seal with a wonderful engraving of a 19th century harbour scene and a great piece of social history to boot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSeal Specification\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 70 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiameter of matrix:  20mm \u0026amp; 15mm x 15mm \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight:  100g\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sigillum Seals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56654387052922,"sku":null,"price":255.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0755\/3626\/9597\/files\/20260223_114425_2add7319-2551-457d-9c40-d04223ae32ec.jpg?v=1772877494","url":"https:\/\/sigillumseals.co.uk\/products\/19thc-bronze-alloy-sidmouth-harbour-company-1836-desk-seal","provider":"Sigillum Seals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}