Ja-Ja heraldic postcard, depicting the armorials of the Borough of Berwick-Upon-Tweed with description
Maker
Stoddart & Co (estab. 1905)
Production date
1905: postcard
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Object Detail
Production date
1905: postcard
2001: frame and label
2001: frame and label
Description
Framed Ja-Ja heraldic postcard depicting the armorials of the Borough of Berwick-Upon-Tweed, circa 1905.
The postcard is original and coloured with hand painted gilding, set in a glass fronted gold frame with cream mat board.
The frame includes a description of the coat of arms that has been typed and printed on white carbon paper and affixed to the bottom of the mat. The description reads:
"The coloured plate contains a heraldic stationer's version of the armorials of the Borough of Berwick upon Tweed. The central / portion is based on the medieval seal used by successive mayors; the surrounds contain modern embellishments. / The legend at the foot, translated from the Latin, reads: SEAL OF THE MAYORALTY OF THE TOWN OF BERWICK UPON / TWEED, and a representation of the seal forms the centrepiece. It contains the Berwick Bear and Tree emblem, which is a / herald's punning depiction of the town's name: / BEAR + WYCH(elm) = BEARWYCH = BERWICK. / The shields on either side of the bear and tree contain the royal arms of England as the were used from about 1400 to 1603. / The three lions in the 2nd and 3rd quarters are the arms of England; the three fleur-de-lis in the 1st and 4th quarters embody / England's claim to France. The figure enthroned and crowned above represents one of the English kings. / The artist has added a helmet and mantling at the top, which are only decoration, and another bear and tree on each side as / supporters."
The postcard is original and coloured with hand painted gilding, set in a glass fronted gold frame with cream mat board.
The frame includes a description of the coat of arms that has been typed and printed on white carbon paper and affixed to the bottom of the mat. The description reads:
"The coloured plate contains a heraldic stationer's version of the armorials of the Borough of Berwick upon Tweed. The central / portion is based on the medieval seal used by successive mayors; the surrounds contain modern embellishments. / The legend at the foot, translated from the Latin, reads: SEAL OF THE MAYORALTY OF THE TOWN OF BERWICK UPON / TWEED, and a representation of the seal forms the centrepiece. It contains the Berwick Bear and Tree emblem, which is a / herald's punning depiction of the town's name: / BEAR + WYCH(elm) = BEARWYCH = BERWICK. / The shields on either side of the bear and tree contain the royal arms of England as the were used from about 1400 to 1603. / The three lions in the 2nd and 3rd quarters are the arms of England; the three fleur-de-lis in the 1st and 4th quarters embody / England's claim to France. The figure enthroned and crowned above represents one of the English kings. / The artist has added a helmet and mantling at the top, which are only decoration, and another bear and tree on each side as / supporters."
Artist/Maker and role
Stoddart & Co (estab. 1905): Publisher
Associated person
Media/Materials description
ink and gilding on paper
Measurements
13.4 x 8.5 cm (sight), 25.5 x 19.7 x 1.8 cm (frame)
Signature & date
No marks or inscriptions.
Photography credit (first image)
Photograph: Viki Petherbridge
System ID
888
