BSG.BS.01341 — Italian, Palermo, Sicilian Sumac, M. Pojero Seal

Found in Worcestershire, 18mm.

With the help of other seals - M.P(O)ERO curving downward / PALERMO straight across above / four rectangular blocks alternatively sunken and raised with six petalled flower heads on each / [inverted] GENUINE curving downward / SUMAC // PRIME curving downward / QUALITY straight across above / four rectangular blocks alternatively sunken and raised with five petalled flower heads on three and a ligature of MP vertical on second / [inverted] WAR(RANTED)* curving downward / five pointed star

The name above Palermo and no doubt the MP ligature is probably that of the exporter of the sumac spice.

"Sicilian sumac (Rhus coriaria) is a shrubby bush which grows chiefly in Sicily and Tuscany, and succeeds on any well-drained soil, though the best development is secured in calcareous soils. That grown in the mountainous districts around Palermo is known as "masculino" From COMMERCIAL SICILIAN SUMAC. By F. P.VEITCH.

*From a private communication with Paul Cannon, "The best candidate is M. POJERO & Co of Palermo. M. Pojero features in Table II [of above reference] sample nos. 83; 148 & 335. The uncertain word WAR???????? is no doubt WARRANTED. For sample no. 335 the column headed 'statement on bags as to purity' reads 'Guaranteed pure and warranted genuine'."

This and other seals can be seen on Mark's website - Metal Detecting, Searching Out Local History.

Peter Vernon has found some interesting information on this product in Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Department of Commerce, 1923 - Consular reports, Volume 3, Issue 31, (p.302).

From Paul Cannon, "The following is an advert from the Boston Post (that is the Boston in Massachusetts, USA) 19 Feb 1881, p3.

SICILY SUMAC.

(POJERO LEAD SEAL BRAND)

Cargo ex. Bark Teresa Lo Vico,

Now in Port from Palermo.

For sale by the agents,

D.H. TULLY & Co.,

19 Central Wharf "