Identified by Paul Cannon, "I believe this is a flaxseed seal and can be read as [P]ERNA[U]. Pernau was an earlier name for the Estonian city of Pärnu and the region was well known for its flax and flaxseeds. This name seems to have been given to a brand/type of flaxseed from the area, ‘Pernau Crown’. An advert of Agnew & Hamilton of Belfast appears to provide most of the inscription on the reverse. “Important to Farmers – Pernau Crown Sowing Flaxseed (Recommended by the Department). The finest brand of the seed is H.D.SCHMIDT’S Blue Flowering Flaxseed”. [Mid-Ulster Mail, 2 April, 1910, p1]. The reverse of the seal appears to read H.D.SCH[MIDT…].
The following adverts, all from Ulster newspapers, throw light on the names of the different brands of flaxseeds. One contains a reference to seals being in use.
'Pernau Crown Flax Seed 1916 Growth. To obtain the maximum yield and highest price, Farmers should sow Bett’s Pernau Crown, the brand that has stood the test of time. It is easy to make certain of buying right if you look for the name on the seal'. The advert illustrates a full sack with an image of a crown and ‘Betts Pernau Crown Flax Seed, B & Co, Pernau’. Sole importers D.D.Leitch & Son, Belfast. Sole Wholesale Sellers: Holmes, Mullin & Dunn Ltd, Londonderry. [Derry Journal, 10 November, 1916, p6]
'Flaxseed: We are now offering New Sowing Flaxseed. JACOB JACK’S PERNAU CROWN (Barrels). SCHMIDT’S PERNAU CROWN, Growth 1922'. Being offered by ‘R. Patterson & Son of Ballymoney. [Ballymoney Free Press and Northern Counties Advertiser, 8 March, 1923, p3]
'Second Steamer with Bett & Co’s New Riga Sowing Flaxseed: Now arrived. We have much pleasure in announcing that the Steamer has arrived and is now discharging her cargo of New Russian Sowing Flaxseed as intimated in former advertisement. The brands we offer are “EAGLE” and “PERNAU CROWN” 1915'. Advert by Samuel M’causland, Belfast. [Londonderry Sentinel, 15 April, 1916, p4]
'New Sowing Flaxseed: SCHMIDT’S PERNAU CROWN; SCHMIDT’S RIGA CROWN; WHISHAW’S RIGA CROWN; MESLIN TOWER & WHISHAW’S YEARLING PERNAU CROWN'. Advert by Wm. Thompson & Co. Ltd, Londonderry. [Derry Journal, 17 March, 1926, p4]."
