Seal Detail

A wood and silver seal, maker's mark CH in a rounded rectangle, further struck with British lion and king's head, probably by Charles Hougham, London, circa 1780, the two-coloured laburnum handle of flat-topped inverted baluster form with narrow band above spool stem, turned at base, long silver collar with double bands, the oval matrix engraved with the monogram HJE within an inscription

The inscription reads:

H. I. ENEFER  NOTARY  PUBLIC  AND  SHIP  AGENT  HARWICH

According to the Faculty Office records, Henry Johnston Enefer appears as a public notary on 16 July 1779 (refs: f i/p f. 113v [F.O muniment book], F II/1779/23 [FO fiat]).

The maker's mark is probably that of Charles Hougham (1749-1793), a versatile goldsmith who entered his first mark as a smallworker from Aldersgate Street in 1769. From 1790 he is recorded as in partnership with his brother Solomon, still from Aldersgate Street, but still using Charles's mark. According to obituaries in the European and Gentleman's Magazine, Charles Hougham, goldsmith, of Aldersgate, died on 18 January 1793.

Seal Specification

Height:  101mm

Diameter of matrix:  28mm x 24mm

Weight:  79g