HI David, I am nearly certain that the Stock Marks and Brands book dates from the 1850s. I have many copies from it, and as you stated, it is difficult to read the dates. On the years, it is hard to tell if it reads "1839" or "1859". But from an examination of the entire book, you see years that could be 1834/1854, 1836/1856, 1838/1858, and 1839/1859. Union Parish did not exist until 1839, and so it becomes clear I think that the dates are in the 1850s. Moreover, on the years in question, many of the men mentioned in the book were boys in the 1830s and not grown until the 1850s. Tim Hudson