Welcome
This web site is intended to offer information about embossing seal presses.
The examples shown are mostly American presses. The earliest example is from 1843, the newest is circa 1930.
I have been actively collecting presses for over thirty years. Originally I collected organizational, union, lodge, and related lapel pins.
One day I found an indented body press with a seal from a Modern Woodmen Of America camp. Soon I had several presses from lodges or unions. Most of these presses were indented body from the 1920's or earlier.
Then I found my first figural Lion. I shifted my collecting interest from the seal to the press. I now have close to one hundred different Lions included in my more than two hundred twenty different figural presses..
With the help of eBay I have been able to expand my collection. Many of the presses shown in the following pages are one of a kind, or one of a handful seen by collectors.
For the most part this listing does not offer specific information regarding size, weight, or base configuration. If you would like more information on a press shown contact me,or you'll find the information in the newly revised second edition of "Fancy Figural and Unusual Seal Presses, a Collector's Guide".
Base configuration is a clue to the age of the press. Bases are found flat, flat divided, indented, indented divided, and others. If the base has a cast in indent or well to hold excess metal from the counter pour, the press was made after 1883. Some presses are seen with a machined recess and are likely prior to 1883.
Keep in mind presses were often recycled, or put in service long after being cast. This is especially true of large presses. The demand for them was not as great so they may have sat in inventory for years before being sealed.
For example I have an 1883 patent loop handle press which contains a 1940 Missouri notary seal, and a large Curl-On-Neck Lion from the 1870's with a seal dated 1915.
Thanks for your interest in embossing seal presses.
Many of the presses on the following pages are not found in the first edition, but are included in the new updated second edition.
Don Grampp
The examples shown are mostly American presses. The earliest example is from 1843, the newest is circa 1930.
I have been actively collecting presses for over thirty years. Originally I collected organizational, union, lodge, and related lapel pins.
One day I found an indented body press with a seal from a Modern Woodmen Of America camp. Soon I had several presses from lodges or unions. Most of these presses were indented body from the 1920's or earlier.
Then I found my first figural Lion. I shifted my collecting interest from the seal to the press. I now have close to one hundred different Lions included in my more than two hundred twenty different figural presses..
With the help of eBay I have been able to expand my collection. Many of the presses shown in the following pages are one of a kind, or one of a handful seen by collectors.
For the most part this listing does not offer specific information regarding size, weight, or base configuration. If you would like more information on a press shown contact me,or you'll find the information in the newly revised second edition of "Fancy Figural and Unusual Seal Presses, a Collector's Guide".
Base configuration is a clue to the age of the press. Bases are found flat, flat divided, indented, indented divided, and others. If the base has a cast in indent or well to hold excess metal from the counter pour, the press was made after 1883. Some presses are seen with a machined recess and are likely prior to 1883.
Keep in mind presses were often recycled, or put in service long after being cast. This is especially true of large presses. The demand for them was not as great so they may have sat in inventory for years before being sealed.
For example I have an 1883 patent loop handle press which contains a 1940 Missouri notary seal, and a large Curl-On-Neck Lion from the 1870's with a seal dated 1915.
Thanks for your interest in embossing seal presses.
Many of the presses on the following pages are not found in the first edition, but are included in the new updated second edition.
Don Grampp