Description: [Robert Burns] Wax seal of Robert Burns, from his great-granddaughter Martha Burns Everitt Thomas, with an 1836 silhouette engraving of Burns showing the seal’s design. [Scotland and County Wexford, Ireland, 1836–1906; 1913]. 10¼ x 4½ inches. Engraving and mounted wax seal; framed and glazed together; not examined out of frame; very good. Impression wax seal of Scottish poet Robert Burns, made from the original seal designed by him. The actual seal was inherited by Robert Burns Jr. and then by his granddaughter, Martha Burns Everitt Thomas (1839–1906), who periodically resided in Ireland. A note by Ben R. Browne in 1913, affixed to the frame’s back, states that he received the wax seal from “Miss Camilla Hanton of Ballyfane, Carne [Parish], Co. Wexford Ireland who was the executor of the will of Mrs. Martha Burns Everitt Thomas, the great-granddaughter of the poet. I visited the latter in childhood at Carne rectory. She had the Poet’s Bible & Seal at one time. A number of impressions of the seal were made and distributed at the centenary of the Poet’s death, one of which I saw at Carne and another at Dumfries.” Above Browne’s note, a 19th-century handwritten extract from a letter by Burns details his self-designed seal with its symbols representing his Ayrshire home and pastoral themes. A memo nearby states it was “now in the possession of…Mrs. Martha Burns Thomas.” The current wax seal lacks the central shield in its impression. However, the crest—a wood lark on a bay sprig—is visible at the top, along with the outer inscriptions: “Wood Notes Wild” above and “Better a wee bush than nae beild” (Better a small bush than no shelter) below. The wax seal may have been given to Camilla Hanton by Martha, who then passed it to Browne. Or, it originated directly from Martha Burns Everitt Thomas’ estate and was handed to Browne by Hanton.Our Stock# 3733587 About Us Established in 1995, Ian Brabner, Rare Americana, LLC buys and sells rare and antiquarian books and historical manuscripts published or created in pre-1900 America. We are located in Wilmington, Delaware. Member Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (ABAA). International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB). The Manuscript Society. Ephemera Society of America. Guarantee All items are guaranteed to be as described. Authenticity is guaranteed for the lifetime of the original purchaser. As a member of the above-named trade organizations, we abide by their published code of ethics. Any item is returnable for any reason within 30 days(prior notice appreciated). If you have questions regarding our description for this item, please contact us. We will be happy to answer them. Shipping Items are expertly packed in bubble wrap and shipped in new boxes or reinforced envelopes. No International Buyers Please, no buyers outside of the USA. Feedback We leave feedback after receiving feedback from buyers. If you're unhappy with any part of your transaction with us, please let us know. Our priority is to make you happy and resolve issues promptly. © 2024 Ian Brabner, Rare Americana, LLC. All rights reserved.
Price: 450 USD
Location: Wilmington, DE
End Time: 2024-12-15T22:09:33.000Z
Shipping Cost: 5 USD
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Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
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Author: [Robert Burns]
Subject: Americana
Language: English
Original/Facsimile: Original
Country/Region of Manufacture: North America
