The Early Massachusetts-Bay Colony Seals: With Bibliographical Notes Based Upon Their Use in Printing.

The article presents an examination into the government seals used by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 17th century. Introductory details are given regarding the initial authorization of a seal for the colony in its charter of 1628 and its subsequent design and use in the following century is examined. The development and use of variants of the colony's seal are discussed surrounding the administration of several governors including John Leverett, Edmund Andros and Joseph Dudley. An appendix is included providing a chronological list of laws, proclamations and other documents which illustrate the colony's seals.