POST MEDIEVAL STAMP

1700

A complete cast lead or lead alloy printing block, from a set of movable type, of Post Medieval dating (AD 1700 to AD 1900).The printing block is a rectangular cuboid in shape, with a square section. One face exhibits an reversed capital letter 'N', in a print style similar to that of Times New Roman. Two sides exhibit a V shaped notch cut into them. These notches would have been used to align / hold the printing block in place.The printing block measures 22.63 mm in length, 14.16 mm wide and 12.16 mm thick. It weighs 37.9 g.The printing block is a light to mid grey colour, with an even surface patina.Movable type printing blocks were invented around AD 1450 by Johannes Gutenberg along with the printing press. Gutenberg was the first individual to create his type pieces from an alloy comprised of lead, tin and antimony, the same materials currently used today. It is possible that this printing block could be Late Medieval in dating, it is more likely to be Post Medieval (AD 1700 to AD 1900), due to the style of the lettering present.Other printing blocks have been recorded on the PAS database including a lombardic letter 'M' (LVPL-569025), a capital 'W' and an asterisk '*' (SWYOR-588A40), the number '4' (SUSS-81AFD5), a crest involving the Hanoverian royal arms, bearing the legend of the order of the garter (LEIC-C01402) and a stylised human face (LEIC-750683).