Port houses' marks, woolmarks and watermarks

[djewesbury]

Reading about the origins of the fool's cap watermark I came across this image:



I was struck by the "4" mark at the base, which obviously brings to mind the Taylor and Gould Campbell trade marks. I know that these are derived from the marks used by the progenitors of these companies when they were wool dealers.

What I do not know is the meaning or significance of the "4" mark. Anyone?

[DRT]

Is it because sheep have four legs?

[DRT]

These people might know.

[AW77]

It might be connected to the old marks used in the port trade to show quantities in the barrels. So it might be a sign for a certain kind of weight (like "as much as an ox might pull")

[djewesbury]

It might be connected to the old marks used in the port trade to show quantities in the barrels. So it might be a sign for a certain kind of weight (like "as much as an ox might pull")

Hmm. Not heard that before. Why on a wool mark and a watermark?

[RAYC]

From a bit of googling on this previously I thought that the reversed 4 was a semi-religious mark (a derivation from the Chi Rho symbol) and widely used by merchants.

From Wikipedia link

One such symbol combined the mystical "Sign of Four" with the merchant's name or initials. The "Sign of Four"[12] was an outgrowth of an ancient symbol adopted by the Romans and by Christianity, Chi Rho (XP), standing for Christus Rex in Greek letters; this was simplified to a reversed "4" in Medieval times. The evolution of this symbol is shown in M. J. Shah's article.[13] The "Sign of Four" is called the "Staff of Mercury" (Caduceus) in German and Scandinavian literature on house marks.[14]

[djewesbury]

Ah, full marks for that reply. My googling failed to get me to this page. Thanks!

[Andy Velebil]

If I am not mistaken, in Portugal, that symbol was used as the word "and." Such as the old brand for Sandeman which was G (that symbol) S then C. Meaning "George Sandeman and Company." At least IIRC that was what was told to me by George back in 2006.

Here's a pic I took of said first brand used for Sandeman. (remember the image is reversed, so read backwards)

[djewesbury]

I find that less plausible. It would surely be GS4C rather than G4SC. Although I'm familiar with similar symbols for the word "and". In Irish a symbol that looks like a 7 is used for the word "agus" (and). But I prefer Rob's explanation; which would make as much sense with the Sandeman trademark.