Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-17
ARMS OF HE VIRGINIA COMPANY.
Colonial Engravers of Williamsburg.
To The E6ifO,. Of he DiSD1fch.

An Interesting Historical Book-Plate-
Colonial Engravers of Williamsburg.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
have had sent me. for Identification,
by Mr.. Chas. Dexter Allen. Hartford
Conn, Honorable Secretary for the United
States of the Ex-Llbris Society. Of Lon
don. a book-plate of much curious inter
est 1t is from the collection Of John
Leighton, Esqr., +. S. A.. London.
1t Is nearly four inches square, the en-
graved projections covering quite the
stated area. The upper half and arms
proper, are those used by tho Council
chamber of Virginia. III book-plate aud in
gllded impression on the backs of books
appertalning to the chamber. and which
embellisned the title page of the publish
cd Acts of the House of Burgesses until
the period OF the Revolution. They also
form the frOntispiece of Beverley's histO-
~ of Virginia. They were the arms of the
Virginia Merchants" or Virginia Com
pany. and are described by Burke. C'Gen-
eral ArmouTy,") as OF the former. and as
follows AR. a cross GU. betw. tour
escutcheons, each regaly crowned ppr.;
the first escutcheon in the deXter-chlef-
quarterly France and England, quarterly;
the second escutcheon IN the sinister Is
the arms of Scotland; the third, arms of
Ireland: fourth. as the first. Crest-A
maiden Queen couped below the shout
deIs ppr., her hair disheyeled OF the last
vested and crowned with On Eastern
crown or. SuppOrters-IwO men III COM
plete armor. with their beavers open; on
their helmets three ostrich feathers ar,
each charged on the breast with cross
GU, and holding IN his exterior hand. a
lance ppr. MottO-"En dat Virginia quar-
tam
Tho crest of the plate sent me differs
from the above IN that the hair is dressed
III front and confined at the neck behind
with tillet. and the bust is full-lengtt,
bodiced and robed. Ibe features are
seemingly those Of the amable and pro-
life matron, good Queen Anne The
arms rest upon an entablature of scroll
and floral work. enclosing a prospective
view Of body in council. At a table. Il
portion of which only appears, are seated
on the rear side, six persons. In front Is
seated SINGLE person, presumably the
Governor, or presiding officer. On the
lett stands one III animated gesticulaton,
with right arm stretched forth and foot
extended. evidently addressing the body
assembled. A wall with entrance of closed
double door, with a niche a little above
on either side 10 which are respectively a
robed male and female figure, forms the
background. These figures hold at the
night side spear. That held BY the
female is surmounted with liberty cap.
A sentinel stands Gt the right side Of the
door. The costume of the assemblage Is
that Of the Colonial period of Virginia.
Al the bottom Of the plate is q Greek
sentence--the 2i9th line OF the first book of
the Inad of Homer. which may be freely
translated: In his discourse flowed words
sweeter than honey" IL may be that this
scene commentaries some signal event in
Nlrginia's history.
The plate bears no name of engrayer.
There were engravers in Boston. Mass,
and Williamsburg, Va. prior to the DAYS
OF 1916" who skillfuly Piled their trade.
The engraving IS excellent, and il might
be approhended was done IN Great Brit
ain, but there seems to be no knowledge.
at the present time, by our informed
brethren there, of ITS origin or execution.
II. A. BRoCK,
Secretary Southern Historical Society.
Richmond. Va. Sept. 2. 1888.