Open Collections

[Bookplate for Stetson]

In black ink, this bookplate contains an escutcheon, argent (silver), surrounded by a grape vine bordure. The escutcheon contains a scrape, azure (blue), and is charged with two gryphons, at dexter chief and sinister base. Above the escutcheon is a straight crest wreath and a demi-gryphon. Below the escutcheon is a banner containing the Latin motto.

Heraldry

Prints

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This bookplate belongs to the family of Stetson, originally from Massachusetts, and though the exact owner of this bookplate is unknown, the crest is virtually identical to the crest on the title page of "A Genealogical and Biographical Sketch of the Name and Family of Stetson from the year 1634, to the year 1847," by John Stetson Barry (Boston: William A. Hall & Co., 1847). According to this publication, the Stetson family's founding member was a Robert Stetson (also called Cornet Robert Stetson) who was a notable citizen in Plymouth Colony, Mass., and involved in the first Horse Compnay in c.1658. Barry also mentions that the Stetson family contains many other notable figures, ranging from Clergymen to Justices of the Peace, merchants to Sheriffs, and directors of banks to military members.
References:
1) Barry, John Stetson. "a genealogical and biographical sketch of the name and family of Stetson from..." Boston: William A. Hall & co., 1847. Accessed 27 Oct. 2008 from Googlebooks, http://books.google.ca/books?id=cv4UAAAAYAAJ

RBSC Bookplates

2008

Images provided for research and reference use only. Permission to publish, copy, or otherwise use these images must be obtained from Rare Books and Special Collections: http://rbsc.library.ubc.ca

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