BSG.BS.02192 — Italian sumac seal, Francisco Basso in Palermo

Image & Found by Jason Turnbull near Weeley in Essex, 18mm.

(FRANC)ESCO BASSO * curving down PALERMO curving up // Steamboat with masts & paddle wheel

Identified by Philippe Lanez, "Nice Italian sumac seal for Francisco Basso in Palermo. Probably early XXth century (existing 1908)."

See BSG.BS.01334 for a different variant of Francisco Basso's seals.

From a private communication with Paul Cannon, "I have checked Veitch's Sicilian sumac producers and amongst them is Francisco Basso & Co, Palermo. This firm features in Table II, sample nos. 126; 374; 407 & 414 on pp 12-13; 16-17 & 18-19. In the column headed 'statement on bags as to purity', three of the samples use the phrase 'extra ventilated' which matches the wording on the actual seals. There is therefore no doubt that the Basso seals also relate to the sumac trade. Fransesco is I believe the proper Italian version of the Christian name (as appears on the seals) rather than Francisco as recorded by Veitch. Commercial Sicilian Sumac by F P Veitch (1908)..