Lot 752
"R. Mascall's Best Virginia Tobacco" c. 1650-1700 Original Hand-Engraved Wooden Printing Block. Hand-carved, wooden printing block, 3¼ x 2¼ in., depicting a Native American Indian smoking a long pipe, while another Indian loads tobacco into a barrel, as a sailing ship waits off shore. A few letters are missing in the lower inscription. It appears to read: "R. Mas(c)all's - Best Virginia - ii Asf(or)d Kent." "Best Virginia" refers to a grade of tobacco. The last line appears to be a place, either in Kent, England or in Kentucky, though perhaps it is an abbreviation "Astrd. Kent." meaning "Assorted Kentucky tobaccos." There was a prominent tobacco plantation owner named Robert Mascall in Virginia in the 1650's, another (or the same?) Robert Mascall in Kent, England in the 1650's, and a Robert Mascall in Kent, England mentioned in an 1813 letter from writer Jane Austin. This wood block must have been used to print advertising or package labels for Mascall's tobacco business, but it is unclear whether it was for the original Mascall in the 1600s or one of his descendants in the 1700s. The printing surface of this block is in great condition, however, the lower left side corner has broken off (though still present) and a small 1 x ¾ in. piece from the central left edge is missing. Clearly more research is needed on this rare and historic wood block.
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,500.
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