Thread: Seal wax and stamps

Originally Posted by JSmith1983

You could always look back in your family tree and see if you there is a family crest and can make a seal from that. I know most families at one point or another had a crest of some sort.

Thats a hoot,My family came from the Ukraine in 1918,Had $6.00 in their pocket

Originally Posted by JSmith1983

I know most families at one point or another had a crest of some sort.

Sorry to say but the vast majority of family crests are entirely bogus inventions of the last couple centuries. As with the proliferation of tartans, etc., in Scotland after Victoria made them popular, the proliferation of crests has largely been due to people realizing that they could make up and sell said crests to people.

Traditionally crests (and other familial identifiers such as coats of arms) were very strictly the purview of aristocratic and royal families who represent a very, very small minority of the population.

It has to be said that those traditional crests were also created for and sold to families, so in that sense they are really identical to the newer inventions. Just be aware that just because someone says your family has a crest does not mean that some distant ancestor earned it many centuries ago.

I think J. Herbin makes a wax that will hold up in the post. Check out The Goulet Pen Company as they have several things seal related. I have also seen several companies that will customize a seal for you.
You will need a seal, handle, wax. The best way to melt the wax is with a butane torch lighter. Placing your seal on an ice bag before pressing also helps the wax set without sticking to the seal.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Thats a hoot,My family came from the Ukraine in 1918,Had $6.00 in their pocket

That would be worth $94.49 today.
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You might try a print shop that has laser engraving.

I agree that unless you can trace your family history back to the the Coat of Arms, it is a shot in the dark if they are correct or not.

Good luck on the seal. Please post pics when it is done.

My father who always wore his signet ring with the family coat of arms once told me you have to lick it before using it as a stamp. If you don't you'll have hard time cleaning out the engraved crest.