Russian Bale Seal, Baltic States, Hemp, SPB, 1778, Image by Derfel, Found by Peter Olivant.
Found on the Thames Foreshore, 25mm.
From Ged Dodd, "ПД = PD / ?.КАРАЛЕВЬ / H58 /// SPB / CKAH / 1778
Hemp Inspector ?.KARALEV working out of number 58 post in the port of Konigsberg, Kronstadt, Libnau, Memel, Narva, Pernau, Reval, Riga, St Petersburg, Tilsit or other Baltic ports in the year 1778. All of these ports used SPB for their hemp seals before the year 1829 and should not be taken as the seal being shipped from St Petersburg . .(.also including Archangel )..although it may have been ..
The Grower/Owner/Agent initials are CK with AH grade hemp plants in the bale.
see ref IDS 991 on The PeaceHavens Project."
