Russian / U.S.A., Fur Bale Seal
Fur Bale Seal, Image & Found by J. David McMahan.
From Castle Hill, Alaska.
The image and the following are taken from The Alaskan Office of History and Archaeology
"Fur Bale Seals:The Castle Hill bale seals range in diameter from 16.0mm to 34.2mm, and in thickness from 3.0mm to 11.7mm. The average bale seal is the approximate size of a U.S. nickel (22mm), although somewhat thicker (4.8mm) and considerably heavier (around 11.2 grams)(Figure 11.5). In most cases, ovoid or ellipsoid apertures on opposing edges provide evidence of a longitudinal channel through which cordage or wire was passed. Although, compression and occlusion has rendered many of the apertures barely visible. With the exception of two textile packer seals, the seals are believed to relate to the RAC fur trade. Divergent sizes and surface markings suggest that a few of the seals may be associated with specialized functions or shipments. Other seals, devoid of markings but technologically similar to embossed specimens, are believed to be blanks. All identifiable bale seals, regardless of size, were manufactured in the same manner. Like those of the ancient Roman and Byzantine empires, blanks were cast in a mold, leaving a hollow channel from edge to edge. The lead blanks varied in size, but were roughly equivalent to that of a coin. The cordage or string used to secure the parcel or bale was passed through the channel and then knotted. The lead blank was then placed between the jaws of a boulloterion, a pincer-like implement with disc-shaped jaws engraved with an inscription and/or image. The boulloterion had a projection above the jaws that was struck with a hammer to compress the lead blank, sealing the channel upon the string and stamping the inscription or image on the lead blank (Whitlow 1996). In developing a typology for the lead seals from Fort Michilimackinac, Stone (1974:281) used the term "series C" to describe seals of this style.
The most common marking on the Russian bale seals was the "PAK" [RAC, or Russian-American Company] described in Hagemeister’s letter (Pierce 1984:39-40). Almost half of the bale seals in the collection exhibit this inscription on one surface (Figure 11.6). Five of the "PAK" seals were stamped with the imperial eagle on the opposing side, and nine of the "PAK" seals exhibited additional script on one or both surfaces. Two "PAK" seals (97.35 and 97.3863) included the Russian word meaning "seal" beneath the company logo, while another exhibited incomplete text that appears to translate "Yakut[sk]" (translations courtesy of Katya Solovjova Wessels, U.S. National Park Service). Two others included the apparent source codes "x" and "+" for Kodiak and Sitka, respectively (Pierce 1984:39-40). Two seals were inscribed with "M" to indicate "sea otter, 2nd grade," while three were inscribed with the Russian "g" to indicate "sea otter yearling, 2nd grade" in accordance with Hagemeister’s scheme (Pierce 1984:39-40). One incomplete seal (97.6375) exhibits Russian text that translates "... region" and another (98.128) includes combinations of Russian letters that could not be translated."
A modified version of this web article was published in the Museum of the Fur Trade Quarterly (Vol. 39, No. 3, Fall 2003). If you have any specific questions the authour would be happy to answer them and can be reached at:- dave.mcmahan@alaska.gov
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