When sharing my experience with antique seal collecting, I've always said that the perfect pieces find their perfect homes at the perfect time. This perspective not only brings a mystical touch to the experience of collecting, but also underpins the comprehensive wax seal buying guide. This guide offers a wealth of knowledge to fellow enthusiasts, ensuring they find their ideal seals at fair prices. (I highly recommend ordering it if you haven't already). Whenever I miss out on a seal at auction, I reassure myself that it's meant for someone else, sharing in the joy of its new owner.

My optimism is sometimes challenged though, especially when items go missing.

I had purchased an antique wax seal from England, which was last recorded at a rural parcel drop-off point. After that, there was silence. For months, the seller and I held onto hope, frequently checking with Royal Mail for any updates, all in vain. Eventually, we had to accept that the parcel was lost, and the seller kindly issued a refund.

Fast forward to last week, nearly nine months later, a mysterious package appeared in my mailbox, unexpectedly since I hadn't ordered any seals recently. I opened the package to find the missing seal. It seemed to have traversed both time and space, arriving slightly worn but otherwise intact. The seller and I rejoiced at this turn of events and reached a new, more favorable agreement.

This incident vividly reminded me of my cherished belief in the serendipitous timing of antiques finding their new homes, despite occasional detours. The seal itself is a unique find—a wheel seal with six new designs I hadn't encountered before, a remarkable addition to my collection of about 500 intaglios.

Now, as its current caretaker, I'm contemplating adding a bright pink handle to it. While it's a bold choice, I believe it would enhance its design beautifully. What are your thoughts?

This entire experience has reaffirmed my faith in the notion that every antique is destined for a specific time and place. The return of the seal against all odds is a magical testament to the allure of these historical pieces. This week, as I present this wheel seal, its tale is not just of its origins but of its extraordinary journey back to me, emphasizing the magic that envelops these antiques.

Seal of the Week - I'm quite unhinged.

This particular seal, was part of the wheel that just arrived from England. It depicts a gate, conspicuously off its hinges, accompanied by the wry inscription, "I'm quite unhinged."

The charm of this seal lies not only in its visual appeal but also in the rich layer of meaning it conveys, serving as a poignant reminder of the Victorian era's nuanced sense of humor.

I find myself deeply enchanted by this piece, yearning to uncover the letters it once sealed. Each impression of the seal must have introduced a letter filled with wit, perhaps even challenging the recipient to embrace the unexpected with a smile. It stands as a testament to the Victorians' ability to weave humor and elegance into the fabric of their daily lives, encouraging us to appreciate the lighter side of existence.

An Unhinged Manifesto

Embrace the Art of Being Unhinged. Let the hinges that bind your thoughts, actions, and spirits to the conventional and expected rust away. Celebrate the liberation of your true self, unbound and unrestrained.

Declare Independence: From societal expectations, from the norms that cage our creativity and individuality. Being unhinged means setting your soul free to explore, to create, to live without limits.

Cherish Authenticity: In a world obsessed with perfection, choose raw, unfiltered reality. Let your quirks and eccentricities shine, for they are the marks of your unique essence.

Cultivate Courage: It takes bravery to stand out, to say what others only think, to live in a way that feels true to you. Being unhinged is not for the faint-hearted; it is for the bold.

Embrace Change: Like a gate off its hinges, move freely in any direction you choose. Welcome the unpredictable, the spontaneous, and the serendipitous. Change is the only constant.

Seek Connection: In our unguarded moments, we find the deepest connections with others. Authenticity attracts, and vulnerability is a strength. Your unhinged spirit can inspire, comfort, and uplift.

Live Passionately: Life is too short for half-measures. Love deeply, explore wildly, and engage with every moment as if it were your masterpiece.

Being unhinged is not a flaw; it is a liberation. It is the dance of life, unrehearsed and unapologetic. Here's to being beautifully unhinged — where true freedom begins.

Mystery Seal Unveiled - Laurel and Apollo

This week, I unveiled the newest collector's seal. The detail is superb!

This seal was inspired by the iconic sculpture of Daphne (Laurel) and Apollo by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, housed in the Galleria Borghese. This exquisite wax seal is not merely a tool but a work of art, meticulously detailed to capture the essence of Bernini’s dynamic portrayal of the mythological chase, transforming an everyday object into a collector’s dream.

The seal features the moment of Daphne’s metamorphosis, her body gracefully blending into the laurel tree, with Apollo’s figure etched in pursuit, a depiction so lifelike and moving it seems to pulse with the urgency of their tale.

There are only four of these beautiful seals left.

In ancient Greece, the myth of Apollo and Daphne tells a tale of unrequited love and divine transformation. Apollo, the god of the sun and music, was struck by love's arrow for the beautiful nymph Daphne. Daphne, a devotee of nature, cherished her freedom and had no desire for Apollo's affections.

As Apollo pursued her, Daphne fled, desperate to escape his advances. At the brink of capture beside the river, Daphne called out to her father, the river god Peneus, for salvation. In response, Peneus transformed her into a laurel tree, preserving her from Apollo's grasp. Stricken with sorrow but respecting Daphne's wish for freedom, Apollo honored her by making the laurel his sacred tree, symbolizing victory and poetic inspiration. This myth highlights themes of love, respect for individual choice, and the beauty found in nature's permanence.

Wax Color of the Week: Hibernia

This exquisite sealing wax boasts a unique light green hue, inspired by the verdant shores and the shimmering, mystical waters that surround the Emerald Isle. This color is a homage to Ireland’s ancient maritime heritage, evoking images of the Celtic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, whose waves have caressed Ireland’s shores for millennia.

More beautiful pastels for spring...

Pastel Pinks: Promenade, Eternity, Parisian, Sakura, Antoinette​

Explore both greens: Chantilly Mint & Hibernia​

Kathryn Hastings in the Media

I received two pieces in the mail featuring Kathryn Hastings. 

First, Kathryn Hastings is featured prominently in Victoria Magazine's Art of Correspondence book. 

My work is on the cover as well as numerous pages within. It's a wonderful book showcasing the beauty of letter writing with gorgeous and antiques and cozy writing spaces. 

Learn more about the book here.

Second, Southern Lady magazine also features Kathryn Hastings in the current issue. You can learn more about the current issue here.

With Love,

Kay