Autographs
1850 Master of the British Royal Tower Mint's Original Vellum Appointment Document with Its Original Wax Seal
Director of the Tower Royal Mint in London, of Sir John Frederick William Hershel, Official Appointment to the Office, by Order of Queen Victoria (not signed), Signed for Her Majesty by, "Charles Brown" Chief Clerk; "Wm Frakar" H.M Paymaster General; "Fra. S. Sttiy" (sic) for the Office of the Exchequer, "By Writ of Privy Seal".
December 16, 1850-Dated, Partially-Printed Document Signed, "By Writ of Privy Seal" Official Appointment to the Office of Director of the Tower Royal Mint in London, of Sir John Frederick William Hershel by Order of Queen Victoria, Britain, Choice Extremely Fine. Magnificent, fresh and bright, "By Writ of Privy Seal" highly Ornate Partially-Printed Vellum Document with central Manuscript text with its massive official Embossed Wax Seal of Queen Victoria completely intact.
This is the official Appointment of Sir John Herschel as the Master of the Tower Mint (Royal Mint) in London. An impressive Document that measures 21" x 30" and has ornately decorated black printed border designs on three sides with docketing and signatures of four government officials being handwritten at the bottom. The actual Appointment statement is handwritten in old script with the name of the appointee and some other entries in an 1800's cursive script. A 2" x 1.5" deep blue 100 period British Tax Stamp is seen at the upper left corner. The large Wax Seal measuring 6.25" in diameter and is 1" thick, attached to the Document by blue and gold cords. The obverse side of this tan-color Official Embossed Wax Seal depicts Queen Victoria, with her Crown, Orb and Scepter, seated on her throne, flanked by two female attendants. A Coat of Arms appears below, and the whole is surrounded by a wreath. The reverse of the Seal shows the Queen seated side-saddled on a powerful horse.
This Official Seal is housed for protection in its original circular black tin case with a light blue protective padding at top and bottom. This Seal is in excellent condition aside from some trivial nicks on the outer rim edges. The Vellum Document attached to this Seal is also in excellent condition, having expected folds to fit within the custom rich golden beach wood case. This impressive and historic official Appointment by the Queen of the Master of the British Royal Mint in 1850 is unique and a worthy addition to any Numismatic related or British historical collection.
Sir John Frederick William Herschel (1792-1871) was an English Astronomer, Chemist, Writer, and one of the early developers of the new field of Photography. The only son of the famous astronomer Sir William Herschel (1738-1822), John Herschel begame a prominent figure in 19th-century British science, making significant contributions to mathematics.
For a time he worked as an astronomer with his father, and later moved to South Africa for 4 years to map the southern skies. His work in chemistry led him to photography, where he developed the concept of positive and negative images, and was the first to photograph the spectra. He received a number of medals and other honors, and was Appointed Master of the Royal Mint (London) in December 1850. He resigned that post in February 1855.