STAMP SEAL, ARCHIBALD PAULL BURT
c. 1810 - 1879Bone handled, double ended wax seal stamp (chop). Cylindrical handle inscribed ''A.P. Burt'' in black. There is one red and one white engraved stone with the Burt family Crest, the stone dies are set in decorative corrugated bronze. Bone handle has crack. Seal stamps have traces of what appears to be red and black wax.
This is a personal effect of Western Australia's first Chief Justice Sir Archibald Paull Burt (1810-1879) who was born into a plantation-owning family on St Kitts Island (formerly St Christopher in the West Indies). Burt accepted the position of Civil Commissioner and Chairman of Quarter Sessions in Western Australia in 1860. In January 1861 he arrived in Western Australia with his family. Burt was instrumental in establishing the Supreme Court Australia in 1861 and became the first Chief Justice of Western Australia. Knighted for his contributions in 1873, he maintained a secluded life to ensure impartiality and professional detachment as sole judge in the colony until his death in 1879. Archibald Paull Burt’s impact and lasting legacy in Western Australia continues through his family members who have held governmental and legislative roles in the state for multiple generations.
Details
Details
'A. P. Burt' Inscribed in fine black lettering, positioned central and running lengthways across bone handle. The red stamp has stringed bugle-horn as crest above torse - Shield shape: includes two stringed bugles-horns above chevron with three cross fitchées above one bugle-horn, beneath the shield is the motto (in reverse) "ALL FOR THE BETTER".
White stone is engraved with stringed bugle-horn above oval shaped motto (reverse) 'ALL FOR THE BETTER'
Item contains depiction of the Burt family crest and was used by Sir Archibald Paull Burt to seal and officiate correspondence. Black and red wax deposits on the seal demonstrate that black and red wax was used.
