In reviewing various documents dated from 1835 through 1885, I note that signatures were usually followed by the word "seal". I have one document that says " signed with my name and sealed with my seal" The paper documents I see do not appear to have a stamped seal but the word "seal" is always written. Does anyone know if there were physical seals used during that period? If not, what was the legal value of writing the word "seal"? G. Robert "Bob" Farmer, Sr. [email protected]

Signature seals were often a ring of something similar that would leave an impression in wax. Many used the initials.  These were used to insure the authenticity of the document.  This was continued using a gold seal.  We still use the same idea today with a notary seal.   Most of the documents where you see the word "seal" are copies usually in recorded instruments.  ________________________________ Subject: [TNWEAKLE] Signature Seals In reviewing various documents dated from 1835 through 1885, I note that signatures were usually followed by the word "seal".  I have one document that says " signed with my name and sealed with my seal"  The paper documents I see do not appear to have a stamped seal but the word "seal" is always written. Does anyone know if there were physical seals used during that period?  If not, what was the legal value of writing the word "seal"?

The other common convention was to write "L.S." for "locus sigilli." Either "L.S." or "seal" was typically bordered by braces or a frame sketched around it. It is a holdover from earlier British record keeping practice. By the nineteenth century the use of seals had fallen out of use. When you see L.S. or Seal on a document you usually have proof that the item you have in hand is a fair-copy or true-copy duplicate rather than an original document. That is not always true, of course. Sometimes it was used like the printed X on today's documents, a tradition which meant nothing more than "sign here." The best definition is in "Black's Law Dictionary," but workable definitions can be found by searching for "locus sigilli". Richard. [email protected] + 731-881-7094 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Farmer G. Robert Sr. Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2010 5:58 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [TNWEAKLE] Signature Seals In reviewing various documents dated from 1835 through 1885, I note that signatures were usually followed by the word "seal". I have one document that says " signed with my name and sealed with my seal" The paper documents I see do not appear to have a stamped seal but the word "seal" is always written. Does anyone know if there were physical seals used during that period? If not, what was the legal value of writing the word "seal"? G. Robert "Bob" Farmer, Sr. [email protected] ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message