Lot 695

Description

Wax impression of the third Great Seal of New SOuth Wales by Thomas Wyon for George IV. The latin inscription from Virgil draws the analogy between the foundation of Rome by a band of robbers and the settling of the new Colony of New South Wales by convicts. The scene depicting Industry seated receiving (or Britannia) the new arrivals (convicts) a church and fort on the hill in the background as well known as the 'Sydney View' of our first postage stamps, 1850. This seal was used 1827-1832 (see Gullick, W.A. 'The Seals of New SOuth Wales' Sydney 1921, page 7, and Etruria' by R & J. King in the N.A.A. Journal Vol 5, pp 3-8) Contianed in contemporary tin, the seal has been repaired nearly fine and very rare.

This seal comes by descent to the current owner from a prominent early nineteenth century family. The Great Seal was by 1827 reserved for use on important state documents onlu used by the Governor in person.