Stamps and trademarks in the Simón Ruiz Archive

An example of the link between the seal and the person is the use of an alphabetical sign (more rarely two or three) derived from the merchant's own name. For example, as we can see in the following images: "A" for Andrade or "DH" for Diogo Henriques.

Marks with monograms that combine several letters with greater graphic elaboration also often refer to the merchant's own name by taking the initials of his first and last name. For example: 'V-M' for Vasco Martins da Veiga or 'A-L' for Luis Alvares.

It is also common for many markings to be topped with a one- or two-armed cross as a pious and protective invocation.

These marks were very common: at the top of the mark a figure 4 to which additional lines are added, and at the bottom a combination of various symbols: letters, monograms, hearts, balloons, stars, utensils, etc.

They are reminiscent of the coats of arms that are emblazoned on façades and architecture to emphasise the nobility of the personage.

Sometimes the name of the motif depicted recalls the name or surname of the merchant. For example: the figure of a dragon for Bernardo Drago or a tree, the moral, for Fernando de Morales.

Sometimes the authors of the letters are religious and use Christian motifs in their emblems. Sometimes the authors of the letters are religious and use Christian motifs in their emblems.

References to Greco-Roman mythology will be constant in the Renaissance and therefore common in the seals of different characters. For example: Neptune as the seal of Rodrigo Soares or Daphne metamorphosing into a laurel as the seal of Philip George.

Among the thousands of documents in the Simón Ruiz Archive, several very diverse marks used by Simón Ruiz have been identified. Their typology is very diverse (crosses, 4 de cifra) but the S and R of his name and surname almost always appear.