  SHIELDS FIGURED ON PLATE I, PAGE 11.
ornament ornament page header seal Being deeply impressed with the great value of a "Corpus Sigillorum" which would bring together in one view a large number of English Seals of each century for the eye to rest upon and so to comprehend the varying styles at different dates, Mr. Grazebrook puts forward the following proposal to see if a sufficient number of Subscribers will be found to support him, and meet the heavy expense of producing such a work. It is obvious that to lessen the number of illustrations would impair its usefulness, and Mr. Grazebrook would not undertake the book unless it can be thoroughly carried out. What he contemplates would show perhaps fifty selected characteristic seals for each century from the eleventh to the seventeenth, displayed in order of date. So large a number would not be needed at the earliest or latest dates, but for some of the periods a greater number ought to be given. Students now get together such collections in tracings and drawings—as the labour of years; and it is feared very few have perseverance enough to carry out fully their aim, but without such exact data conclusions must be guess-work. Mr. Grazebrook has such a collection for his own use, and knows from experience what a great advantage it is. This proposed well-illustrated book would not only be most valuable and instructive to the Antiquary, it would also possess a far wider and general interest, because these are the highest specimens of Art remaining to us of the early times in which they were made. Seals at all dates are the results of the greatest skill and care to be procured, according to the owner's means; and Such a pictured History of Art could not fail to be interesting and attractive to many who would not care to study the subject from a strictly antiquarian point of view. This large collection of engravings would be accompanied by explanations giving an account of most of the seals, the origin of their decorations, and other particulars involving a considerable amount of genealogical research; which, even when epitomised, must form a bulky volume; and it would require a large body of Subscribers at 30s. to cover the expense; but the author trusts he may be encouraged by such extended support that he may be able somewhat to increase the number of illustrations—many of which must be reproduced from the copper plates in old and rare works, thus involving considerable expense. Subscriptions payable when the work is completed. Gentlemen who would be willing to subscribe will please write to that effect to George Grazebrook, F.S.A., Oak Hill Park, near Liverpool. Any suggestions for the improvement of the work would be esteemed. The author will confine himself strictly to The Art History of those seals whose dates are accurately known; The Characteristic Styles prevailing at each period; and The various Signs of Date as they are developed. |
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