Undated (1860s) William H. Seward Plaque. Bois Durci. 16 mm. Extremely Fine.strongObv:/strong High relief bust of Seward facing left, with no inscription other than W. H. SEWARD above his head. The field is entirely stippled, and nicely offsets the smooth, almost reflective bust and lettering. strongRev:/strong Blank except for a figure that appears to be a reversed and upside-down "2 and BOISE DURCI (hardened wood) prominently placed across the center. A brass frame, holed for hanging, loosely surrounds the piece.pSeward may be best remembered because he was stabbed and nearly killed in the Abraham Lincoln assassination conspiracy. Also of note was his participation in what was called "Sewards Folly," the then very controversial purchase of Alaska from Russia for two cents/acre. Bois Durci, an early plastic intended to simulate wood, was a mixture of animal blood and sawdust that was developed by Frenchman Charles LePage in the 1850s. This material is best known to numismatists through a series of wall plaques of famous personages of the day. It was also used to make such utilitarian items as picture frames, desk pen set holders, and even jewelry.
