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 many of them are masterpieces, both of design and execution. They display the whole career of Art: the simplicity of early times, gradually developing and culminating in the perfection of the fourteenth century; to be followed by overloaded designs, beautified by exquisite workmanship, at the end of the fifteenth.
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 30_s._ 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.
[1] I have to acknowledge the kind permission to use the following illustrations--by Messrs. Virtue and Co., four blocks from Cutts' _Scenes and Characters of the Middle Ages_, 1872; by Messrs. Mitchell and Hughes, six blocks from Dr. Jackson Howard's _Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica_; by Messrs. Nichols and Son, sixteen blocks from _The Herald and Genealogist_, _Collectanea Genealogica et Heraldica_, _The Topographer and Genealogist_, and _The Visitation of Huntingdon_, 1613 [Camden Society]; by Messrs. Parker, eight blocks from Hewitt's _Ancient Arms and Armour_ and _The Archæological Journal_, vol. iv; by the Society of Antiquaries, eight blocks published in their _Proceedings_; and by the Royal Archæological Institute, one block from _The Archæological Journal_, vol. xi.