Matrix of the fourth town seal of Hamburg

The fourth town seal of Hamburg barely differs from the previous ones; however, this stamp seal has been preserved. It is manufactured in high quality and was used until 1810. After its removal during World War II, the fourth town seal of Hamburg was stolen in 1945 and turned up in the antiques trade. The city of Hamburg sued unsuccessfully for its return. In 2012 it was bought back thanks to an initiative of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce (Handelskammer Hamburg) and the Foundation for economic history of Hamburg (Förderverein Hamburger Wirtschaftsgeschichte), supported by the Hubertus Wald Foundation (Hubertus Wald Stiftung) and other donors.