['A relic from the Ocean Monarch', 1848.] Tiny seal on stone of a sphinx, in brass mount with handle shaped like a pillar. With contemporary note explaining the background and stating that it was 'Presented by Mr John Neilson', and Neilson's own note

Seal on stone oval just over 1cm wide; in brass mount just over 3cm high, with handle in shape of a pillar topped with a ring (presumably for attaching to a chain or necklace). Wrapped in a 5.5 x 11 cm packet, made from folding a piece of 17 x 21.5 cm paper (with watermark of R. Turner of Kent), with the following written on it in a Victorian hand (presumably that of Eleanor Avena Blackburne, to whom the item was presented): 'Part of the Ocean Monarch burnt off the coast of Wales | August 1848 | Presented by Mr John Neilson'. On the inside of the unfolded packet, in what is almost certainly Neilson's hand: 'For a Seal for Miss Eleanor Blackburne's Watch, with Mr. J Neilson's kind regards - | A relic from the Ocean Monarch. | Liverpool | Sunday.' Seal in excellent condition; packet in good condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. The item was part of a large collection of material offered for auction in 2012, relating to the family of John Ireland Blackburne (1783-1874) of Hale Hall, MP for Warrington, of whom Eleanor Avena Blackburne was the daughter. A similar packet, also bearing a note by Eleanor Avena Blackburne, containing a glass figurine brought back from Nepal by Sir George Everest, is offered separately.