This rare printer's collection of 18th and 19th-century French and European wax seals was found at the Antiquites Brocante at Bastille, now underway at Place de la Bastille, Paris. The Medicis' family seal is at top left. On the bottom row, seals of Spain, as well as those of Florence and Sardinia are displayed. On the back of each card are descriptions of the colours mixed and decorative details such as crowns and chevrons required for each seal. For centuries, prominent families, noblemen and royalty had their own unique seals for all correspondence and official documents. I plan to have the cards of seals framed separately. Click photos to view detail.
Black millinery plumes were another fortunate find, alongside business documents from a company in Cognac, France.
These French cheques and a receipt are dated 1922, from the same company in Cognac, as above.
More stories from 1001 Nights depicted on advertising cards produced for Le Bon Marche, Paris.
A petite 1940s gilt and beaded chandelier with aqua opaline glass matches a set of aqua opaline wall appliques I own from the same period. The brocante at Place de la Bastille continues daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through November 18. But check public transport availability before setting out, as transit strikes are currently underway.
Oh those wax seals are amazing. I just adore anything like that, I'm a collector of stamps so this is much appreciated. Outstanding. Also really LOVE the chandelier.
Posted by: Kelly Roccoisian | 26 March 2008 at 20:26
The wax seals are SO cool! And, I love the aqua touches on the chandelier ... gorgeous! xx, JP/deb
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 18 November 2007 at 01:32
Oh. be still my heart!! That chandelier is one fabulous piece! And what a find of those wax seals... they will look great framed. Seems that you have found the motherload this time around :) xox Deb
Posted by: Deb L | 17 November 2007 at 02:13
The "black millinery plumes" had me fascinated, never seen them before. Love these photographs you post. Thank you.
Posted by: UL | 16 November 2007 at 13:57
Oh Tara, I love those seals. I am addicted to them...all kinds. I have one of my own with a single letter on it, although I don't get to use it much. I also found a wonderful gold flecked purple wax to go with it! And that chandalier ain't too bad either ;) Thanks for taking me to the flea market with you....
Posted by: My Melange | 16 November 2007 at 13:25
I love old letters & cards - so personal and such a lost art. I keep every one my mother sends to me....and those seals are amazing - some of my jewelry pieces have old watch fob seals & they are gorgeous. I love imagining the seals they used to create. Have a wonderful weekend!
Posted by: Karen | 16 November 2007 at 06:25
Tara!!!!! It's FABULOUS!!! Such a pretty shape and I adore the little beads decorating all the arms! What a find!! It's going to look perfect with the sconces!! Over here they call the droplets lollipop drops because of their shape! Thank-you for letting me know when you posted it-I'm having such a hectic week, I could have missed seeing it!xx
Posted by: Sophiehoneysuckle | 15 November 2007 at 18:28
what gorgeous treasures - love the cards especially...
xox - eb.
Posted by: eb | 15 November 2007 at 17:37
What a treasure! I used to be fascnitaed by sealing wax as a kid...almost got myself a personalized seal made!
Posted by: Bhavna | 15 November 2007 at 09:00
what a wonderful collection! :o)
Posted by: simon | 15 November 2007 at 05:31
I love sealing wax and all the treasure troves you share.
Love Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | 15 November 2007 at 00:42
Hi Tara,
It's late there I know, Maybe you are up?? I'm stopping by to say WOW. Those seals are making my heart beat fast!!! I have a thing for sealing wax. Only once have I been in a home that had an antique selection such as the ones you featured, framed. I never forgot. Many times I fooled with sealing wax. Even I have some now, but I never mastered the technique. Everything else you featured is pretty too. But truly thte advertising cards with 1001 nights sings to me. Thinking of you!!
xox
Constance
What about Christiana. Is she part of the family yet?
Posted by: rochambeau | 15 November 2007 at 00:35
You have me drooling again over all these wonderful and lovely finds you are able to get hold of. The history, the stories behind the finds. So enchanting.
My mom used to use a wax seal, although not customized, and I have always loved the idea. I suppose getting a custom one is possible.
Thanks for sharing so many lovely treasures and always such beautiful photos. I *heart* all things paper. Old documents call out to me.
xo
Posted by: cheeky | 14 November 2007 at 23:04
A treasure trove! Love the chandelier, the pale blue accents!
I used to have a wax stamp set with my initials when I was a kid....I used it all the time, what fun! These are so lovely with the beautiful script, they'll look wonderful framed.
Posted by: stephanie | 14 November 2007 at 23:00
Tara~
Such wonderful finds...all that glorious ephemera...and the seals! I am a sucker for all things quilly and frilly. You know I once recieved as a gift from Julian, a brass "G" seal and sealing wax set...I adore it beyond words. I for so long sealed all my correspondence. What a nerd I am! But that is so interesting to me, that and old scripts. I am a calligraphy nut too.
C'est la vie! Whatever floats your boat too as they say....
The arabian nights cards are way too cute. The images would make great t-shirts...in a kitschy way? Yeah!
Enjoy what's left of the brocante...I am sure you will. You'll need a wagon to get it all home.
xo
Gillian
Posted by: Gillian @ Indigo Blue | 14 November 2007 at 21:44
Oh all of this is cool, but those seals are SO NEAT! I would totally buy those if I could.(I bet I couldn't afford them!lol) They would be awesome framed. A cool little bit of everyday history made into art.
:)
Posted by: Amber | 14 November 2007 at 21:32
My mother used to use sealing wax on her letters. It was always such a pleasure to get a card or letter with a wax seal on it, like a message from another era. I still have some of the seals and sticks of wax.
Posted by: dargie | 14 November 2007 at 20:50
absolutely capitvating. i love everything you found so much; especailly the seals & the chandelier ~ incredible!
Posted by: studio wellspring | 14 November 2007 at 19:37
My gosh, Tara! Such lovely things. The trading cards are gorgeous. Well, everything is gorgeous. xoxo
Posted by: Colette | 14 November 2007 at 18:26
Oooo, everything is just Fabulous! I particularly like the seals, Love the history of things!
Sandra Evertson
Posted by: Sandra Evertson | 14 November 2007 at 18:21
I feel like I'm in your back pocket Tara!! Travelling through this wonderful treasure chest! I love the military plume, the seals (they make me feel the history of the time!) and the chandelier is gorgeous!!
Posted by: Cherie | 14 November 2007 at 16:59
Tara,
Very cool wax seals, one of my favorite books and movie is queen margeaux (sp?)
love the pic of the chandelier too. :)
Posted by: robyn | 14 November 2007 at 16:50
Very neat find. Perhaps it IS time to bring back old-fashioned, wax-sealed letter writing!
Posted by: Randal Graves | 14 November 2007 at 16:44
Wow! THe seals are quite interesting! I love the Arabian Nights cards and the chandelier is to die for! Mon dieu! I cannot begin to imagine how much fun it is to traipse through a brocante..altho I am sure it is tiring!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 14 November 2007 at 14:08
Those seals! When I was young (teens or early 20's), someone once gifted me with a seal and sealing wax. I thought it was very cool and used it a few times on letters. How sad to think that we so seldom even send paper correspondence anymore. I'd love to see sealed letters come back into style. :)
Posted by: Marilyn | 14 November 2007 at 13:45
The old accoutrement of elegant writing is so much chic-er than email. No? Beautiful wax seals and feather pen. Lovely!
Posted by: La Belette Rouge | 14 November 2007 at 13:34
Nothing like traipsing at the Antiquites Brocante at Bastille instead of tending to the dustbunnies in one's home. Beautiful treasures, thank your for sharing them! Maybe we should try to exchange Christmas cards in sealed envelops? (Need an excuse to finally get one of those wax seal stamps!)
Have a great day and a sky as blue as we are enjoying here today!
Posted by: Merisi's Vienna | 14 November 2007 at 11:56