The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-26
Allen Wyon Identifies
Confederate Emblem
Of Sovereignty.
AUTHENTICITY is
CLEARLY PROVED
]. St. George Bryan and William
Gray, Who Took Great Seal to
England, Cable Result of
Careful Examination by
It's Makers in
London.

The Great Seal OF the Confederate
States OF America, the existence of
which was shrouded In mystery for
nearly half a century. has been posi-
lively identified in London by Allcn
Wyon, a member Of the original firm
which made II. according TO ~ cable
gram received yesterday from J. St
George Bryan and William Cray. who
took 1t abroad two weeks ago The
seal was purchased early last year by
Eppa Hunton. Jr.. William H. White
and Thomas i. Bryan. from Rcar-Ad- :
miral Thomas .. Selfridgc, United
states Army, OF Washington. 1t was
stipulated in the contract that the sd lie
would not be binding unless its au-
thenticity was clearly established.
While the owners have not announced
what disposition Will be made OF the
relic. the most valuable OF all Con-
federate embIems. II is stated that
some suitable institution in Richmond
will be made its permanent custodian
bears ifnIl Marks of Maker.
The first account of the finding and
acquisition of the Great Seal Of tho
Confederacy was printed in The Times
Dispatch on May 10, 1912, together
with the publication OF many official
records which seemed to prove it's au-
thenticity beyond doubt. Already more
than one medallion or spurious :mita-
tion had claimed Senuincness, and the
owners awaited the word of some mem
Der oil the London firm by which the
Great Seal, was made. Cut into the
massive silver base was found this
inscriptions: Engraved by j. $. Wyon,
2s1 Regent Street, London" below
which. imbcddcd in the silver. were
the hicroElyphic hall marks OF four
cmblcins. together with the initials IL
>. W. Further research in the Library
OF Congress at Washington brought
out the fact that the Great Seal was
ordered by an act OF the Confederate
Congress. the correspondence between
secretary OF State Judah p BENJAMIN
anu James NJ. Mason, agent OF the Con-
1ederate States. in london, having been
preserved, as has been the original bill
OF ''ttS> Wyon. who charged the Con-
lcuerate states government claO los
English money, or $500 in gold, which
was paid through Mr.. Mason. the orig
maj receipt being now in the Library
OF Congress.
Nyon sun In business.
Mr. Bryan and Mr.. Gray, who took
the Great Seal to England in it's oriri
M .'ai case OIL Leather and heavy wooden
Don. found Allen Wyon the present
mead of the house which is still In
the engraving business, and from the
records OF the firm the hieroclyphical
hadd marks Were deciphered shown q
beyond question that the seal is actu-
ally that engraved by j. ; Wyon for
the London agent of the Confederatc
states. Allen Wyon has given a for
NAL certificate. properly attested. as TO
his examination OF the Great Seal.
and his proof that 1t Is genuine. Mr..
Bryan and Mr.. Gray cabled yesterday
that the identification was absolutely
conclusive. and the seal, together with
the certificates, will be brought back
to Richmond in their personal custody.
Records in the Library of Congress.
including the Pickett papers. which
have only recently become available
for study. show that the Great Seal
was taken from Richmond on the evac
uation by William J. BromweI. a clerk
of the Confederate State Department.
Mrs. Rromweil carrying ii through tn !.
lines concealed in her hustle Rrom-
we'll sold the Confederate State papers
10 the United States government i'm
1872. for s75.000 through Colonel John
T. Pickett. Captain Selfridge, now a re-
tired rear admiral was the officer as
(Continued IN Third Eo0nN