- Introduction
- Asia / Islam
- Europe & Britain
- French Origins
- Stylus-Quill-Penner
- Early Fountain Pens
- Hawkins-Mordan Patent
- Virginia Roots
- Jefferson Pen Analysis
- American Pencil Makers
- American Gold Pen Makers
- Gold Pen Advertising
- Philip Poole ‘HIS NIBS’
- Inkwells
- Inkwells & Writing Sets
- Writing Sets
- Cyphers
- French Inkwell Makers
Cyphers & Seals
CYPHERS
Invented & Engraved by Phillip Barraud, London First Published in 1782.
The 18th century was an era filled with abundant knowledge, exciting explorations, and a surge in technological advancement. Advancements were made possible by the progress made in the printing press, enabling widespread dissemination of information and improved record-keeping.
The 18th century witnessed a deep fascination with the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, which was sparked by the organized exploration and excavation of the ruins in Pompeii and Herculaneum, located in southern Italy. By 1750, a neoclassical style came to dominate various artistic disciplines.
Single Cyphers
“A New Book of Single Cyphers, Comprising Six Hundred “ by Phillip Barraud.
The Gallery
Secret Writing in the Long Eighteenth Century, Theories and Practices of Cryptology
Cambridge University Press Published in November 2022
Summary from Cambridge University -
“Cryptology of the long eighteenth century became an explicit discipline of secrecy. Theorized in pedagogical texts that reached wide audiences, multimodal methods of secret writing during the period in England promoted algorithmic literacy, introducing reading practices like discernment, separation, recombination, and pattern recognition. In composition, secret writing manipulated materials and inspired new technologies in instrumentation, computation, word processing, and storage. Cryptology also revealed the visual habits of print and the observational consequences of increasing standardization in writing, challenging the relationship between print and script. Secret writing served not only military strategists and politicians; it gained popularity with everyday readers as a pleasurable cognitive activity for personal improvement and as an alternative way of thinking about secrecy and literacy.”
Fit for a Queen
An engraving containing King George III Royal Motto:
Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense - Dieu et Mon Droit
Shame on Whoever Thinks Badly - God and My Right
Cypher Examples
Can you Decrypt the Matrix?
Cypher Examples
Combination of Two Letters - V & F
Cyphers and Seals
Early Fountain Pen Crypto
An 18th century cypher.
Ivoire Sceau Cypher
Ivory Seal Matrix Cypher from Late 15th - Early 16th century.
The seal matrix is also carved cachet style from ivory.
The fleur-de-lis has been in use in France since the 5th century. The Seal of Philip I in 1060 consisted of a short staff terminated with a fleur-de-lys.
The reduction to three fleurs-de-lis, today designated as France Modern, was commanded by Charles V in 1376, reportedly in honor of the Holy Trinity.
Ivory Sceau
French Renaissance era items are extreme rarities.
Overall length:3.07in. / 78mm
Seal Matrix Cachet Dimensions
Diameter:.83in. / 21mm
Thickness: .23in. / 6mm
Early 16th Century
The French Renaissance is commonly recognized to have started with the French invasion of Italy in 1494, under the rule of Charles VIII, and continued until the passing of Henry IV in 1610.
Certain artistic, technological, and literary advancements associated with the Renaissance made their way to France earlier.
Events like the Black Death in the 14th century and the prolonged Hundred Years' War hindered France's economic and political growth until the late 15th century.
American Revolution Style Cypher
This is 18th century English and may also be viewed in detail within the British page.
This item was acquired in New England and dates from the Revolutionary War.
Anyone know who had the initials JA and may have afforded to own this toolset as the Revolutionary War approached?
Powderhorn Style
18th century English Powderhorn shape and may be viewed in detail within the British page.
Quill Holder
The original quill holder is present along with two additional blades that interlock securely when fitted to the cutting handle.
This is a compact, hand-sized writing equipment set easily transported within a pocket.
Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson’s silver pen cap engraved cypher by permission of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello.
Porte Crayon
A small silver porte crayon (2.12in. / 53mm) with perpetual calendar, marked only with the engraved cypher. Acquired from John C. Loring estate.
Stuart Rock Crystal Cypher
Stuart Rock Crystal
Silver Case, 17th century silver with gem cut rock crystal top mounted on a gold wire cypher, after circa 1650. Embellished with royal crown engraving on two sides.
Research indicates that following the execution of King Charles I for treason during the time of parliamentary rule under General Cromwell, the Royalists, who remained loyal to the monarchy, sought to honor and commemorate their lost King.
They expressed their support and sympathy by adorning themselves with various types of jewelry such as slides, pendants, rings, earrings, or cufflinks.
They often featured the King's initials as monograms or incorporated into a cypher. These special pieces came to be known as Stuart Crystals, as they served as poignant reminders of King Charles I from the House of Stuart.
The style preceded the arrival of other memorial and mourning jewelry types, including memento mori, made during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Secret Button
The Silver Case is equipped with a secret button to open the hinged top.
The case is 3 3/8 in. / 86mm in length. The square gem cut crystal is .625 in. / 15.875mm.
Armorial/Heraldic Seals
Sodalite Seal
French 18th Century.
Rare beauty.
Page Turner
Sodalite handle, ivory blade with engraved silver fitting.
Overview
Sodalite handle, ivory blade with engraved silver fitting, ink blotter.
Multi-National Seals
Mission Vulture
Although the vulture only stands approximately 1.5 inches tall, it swaggers a mid-nineteenth century crypto cipher.
Monogram & Symbols
The combination of monogram with symbols creates somewhat more cryptic the decode process.
Circa 1850, this distinguished personal seal once belonged to Sir Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston—one of the most influential statesmen of 19th-century Britain.
A towering figure in Victorian politics, Palmerston served both as Prime Minister and as a long-standing Foreign Secretary, leaving an indelible mark on British imperial and foreign policy. This finely crafted seal, used to authenticate personal letters and official correspondence, offers a rare and tangible connection to a man whose dynamic leadership helped shape the course of British history.
The matrix is exquisitely engraved with a flowing calligraphic initial “H”, encircled by a finely detailed Garter belt motif—an emblem of Sir Henry John Temple’s knighthood in the Order of the Garter, the United Kingdom’s highest and most prestigious order of chivalry.
This rare mark of distinction, seldom seen on personal seals, speaks to the noble stature and elevated rank of its original owner. The craftsmanship is exceptional: crisp, precise engraving, elegant proportions, and a rich, untouched patina that has gracefully aged over time.
The handle, a regal vulture cast in gilt bronze, complements the matrix with striking visual contrast and symbolic strength. Together, they form a seal of both aesthetic beauty and historical gravitas. Its refined scale and superb execution suggest it was a personal desk seal—likely reserved for Palmerston’s private or high-level correspondence.
Museum-quality and entirely unique, this seal presents a rare opportunity to acquire an authentic artifact of aristocratic and political heritage. Items with direct provenance to a British Prime Minister—particularly one as consequential and charismatic as Viscount Palmerston—are seldom available, and even fewer remain in such original, well-preserved condition.
A remarkable and scholarly addition to any serious collection of British nobility, political ephemera, or antique wax seals.
Sophie Paws Cypher
Revered Cypher
Gold Cavalier
18k
Sophie
Beloved - 2008-2023
The Sphinx - See, Hear and Behold
The cypher is embellished with a motto, The Sphinx, and symbolic initials.
Napoleon Revolution Era
On July 21, 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte led the French army in conquering Egypt during the Battle of the Pyramids resulting in the capture of Cairo.
The invasion marked the beginning of modern Egyptology and led to the discovery of the Rosetta Stone.
Napoleon brought 150 scientists, engineers, and scholars to Egypt to capture its culture and history.
See the Sevres “Archeotique” Inkstand utilized by the scientists, engineers, and scholars during the archeological exploration.
Mythical Figure
The handle is a mythical winged cat in silver over bronze.
Mythical Figure
The handle is a mythical winged cat in silver over bronze.