Cloth Seal, Dye Seal, Dyer's Two-Part Seal, John Corner

Cloth Seal, Dye Seal, Dyer's Two-Part Seal, John Corner, Image by Karen Ellis-Andrews, Found by Roy Ellis.
Found on the Thames Foreshore, 28mm.

IOHN / CORNER / IN / GRAIN // blank

The GRAIN refers to the pellets that were the source of Kermes red dye. Thought originally to be grain or seeds from a tree, they are in fact sap-sucking scale insects. Kermes vermilio, that attached themselves to the leaves of trees. John Corner is therefore supposed to be a dyer. No further information on him has so far been found.

Geoff Egan personal communication to Roy Ellis, 24/4/1980, "Dyers' seals: (?17th century) ...
IOHN / (?)CORNER / IN / GRAIN // blank ('in grain' = dyed)."

From Paul Cannon, "The following may relate to this seal. The will of John Corner, dyer of London proved 2 May 1733 [National Archives PROB 11/659/7] See National Archives - Will of John Corner, Dyer of London."