William & Mary seal

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

William & Mary seal, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
1.2 Linear Feet 1 item in 14x18 oversized box
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

William & Mary seal, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains 1 wooden object in the shape of the seal of William & Mary. It likely dates to the 1920s as it reflects the seal used by William & Mary up until 1929.

Biographical / historical:

The version of the William and Mary seal featured on this object is the second William & Mary seal, which was used from 1783 to 1929. This version features the sun with a human face and the temple, as well as the year "1693." Creation of this design has been attributed to Thomas Jefferson and George Wythe, though the strongest evidence suggests it was created by an engraver employed by George Wythe.

Acquisition information:
The Wooden William Mary seal was donated by Trotter Hardy on September 30 2025.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard