Italian, Palermo, Sicilian Sumac, M. Pojero* Seal, Image & Found by Dug:).
Found in Worcestershire, 18mm.
With the help of other seals - M.P(O)ERO curving downward / PALERMO straight across above / four rectangular blocks alternatively sunken and raised with six petalled flower heads on each / [inverted] GENUINE curving downward / SUMAC // PRIME curving downward / QUALITY straight across above / four rectangular blocks alternatively sunken and raised with five petalled flower heads on three and a ligature of MP vertical on second / [inverted] WAR(RANTED)* curving downward / five pointed star
The name above Palermo and no doubt the MP ligature is probably that of the exporter of the sumac spice.
"Sicilian sumac (Rhus coriaria) is a shrubby bush which grows chiefly in Sicily and Tuscany, and succeeds on any well-drained soil, though the best development is secured in calcareous soils. That grown in the mountainous districts around Palermo is known as "masculino" From COMMERCIAL SICILIAN SUMAC. By F. P.VEITCH.
*From a private communication with Paul Cannon, "The best candidate is M. POJERO & Co of Palermo. M. Pojero features in Table II [of above reference] sample nos. 83; 148 & 335. The uncertain word WAR???????? is no doubt WARRANTED. For sample no. 335 the column headed 'statement on bags as to purity' reads 'Guaranteed pure and warranted genuine'."
