Seal of Birmingham: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Seal of birmingham.jpg|right| | [[Image:Seal of birmingham.jpg|right|225px]] | ||
The '''( | The '''(Official) Seal of the City of Birmingham''' is used on official documents and as an insignia on property owned and operated by the city of [[Birmingham]]. It was adopted by the [[Birmingham City Commission]] on [[October 25]], [[1960]]. At the time, the seal was described as, "a circle depicting a drawing of the downtown sky line with Vulcan in the foreground. Around the drawing are the words 'Official Seal . . . Birmingham, Ala.'" | ||
The current seal is circular and depicts [[Vulcan]] on his pedestal, seen from behind overlooking the city's skyline (as it existed prior to the construction of the [[Bank for Savings Building]] in [[1962]]). An airplane crosses from left to right (west to east, toward the [[Birmingham International Airport|airport]]) and smokestacks are seen on the far right, in the rough location of [[Sloss Furnaces]]. | The current seal is circular and depicts [[Vulcan]] on his pedestal, seen from behind overlooking the city's skyline (as it existed prior to the construction of the [[Bank for Savings Building]] in [[1962]]). An airplane crosses from left to right (west to east, toward the [[Birmingham International Airport|airport]]) and smokestacks are seen on the far right, in the rough location of [[Sloss Furnaces]]. | ||
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Below the skyline, nine lines converge at the center of the circle. Around the perimeter are the words "Official Seal" (top, flanked by 5-pointed stars) and "Birmingham, Alabama" (bottom). | Below the skyline, nine lines converge at the center of the circle. Around the perimeter are the words "Official Seal" (top, flanked by 5-pointed stars) and "Birmingham, Alabama" (bottom). | ||
[[ | ==History== | ||
When the City first issued municipal bonds in [[1882]] for construction of the first [[Birmingham City Hall (1882)|Birmingham City Hall]], the city had no seal and issued the documents under the seal of the [[Elyton Land Company]]. | |||
An earlier seal, used in [[1950]], features a line drawing of an industrial plant with five 5-pointed stars below it. The perimeter text reads "City of Birmingham, Ala." and is surrounded by a rope-design. | An earlier seal, used in [[1950]], features a line drawing of an industrial plant with five 5-pointed stars below it. The perimeter text reads "City of Birmingham, Ala." and is surrounded by a rope-design. | ||
During the [[Birmingham Centennial]] in [[1971]] a special commemorative seal was used, featuring a frontal view of Vulcan holding his neon torch and an updated skyline featuring the [[Birmingham City Hall]] surrounded with the words "BIRMINGHAM CENTENNIAL" and the dates "1871" and "1971". A second motto "CENTURY OF MAGIC" curves below Vulcan between mine rails anchored with a mine car at either end. The seal was also featured on a commemorative coin, with the new [[Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center]] on the reverse. There is at least one example of the coin on the internet with a reverse showing Vulcan on his pedestal, with the words "Vulcan's Dedication" and the date "April 8, 1972" around the edge, separated by two small circles. | |||
<gallery> | |||
Image:1950 Birmingham seal.png|1950s seal | |||
Image:Birmingham Centennial seal.png|Centennial seal | |||
Image:Birmingham Centennial Seal Back.jpg|Reverse of Centennial Coin showing the then-new BJCC. The front is the same as the centennial seal. | |||
</gallery> | |||
==See also== | |||
* [[Birmingham logo]] | |||
==References== | |||
* "[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-vulcan-now-part-of-c/133452729/ Vulcan now part of city's new seal]" (October 25, 1960) {{BN}}, p. 12 | |||
* [https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces59977.html Numista.com listing, accessed December 4, 2016] | |||
[[Category:Symbols of Birmingham|Seal]] | [[Category:Symbols of Birmingham|Seal]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:27, 14 October 2023
The (Official) Seal of the City of Birmingham is used on official documents and as an insignia on property owned and operated by the city of Birmingham. It was adopted by the Birmingham City Commission on October 25, 1960. At the time, the seal was described as, "a circle depicting a drawing of the downtown sky line with Vulcan in the foreground. Around the drawing are the words 'Official Seal . . . Birmingham, Ala.'"
The current seal is circular and depicts Vulcan on his pedestal, seen from behind overlooking the city's skyline (as it existed prior to the construction of the Bank for Savings Building in 1962). An airplane crosses from left to right (west to east, toward the airport) and smokestacks are seen on the far right, in the rough location of Sloss Furnaces.
Below the skyline, nine lines converge at the center of the circle. Around the perimeter are the words "Official Seal" (top, flanked by 5-pointed stars) and "Birmingham, Alabama" (bottom).
History
When the City first issued municipal bonds in 1882 for construction of the first Birmingham City Hall, the city had no seal and issued the documents under the seal of the Elyton Land Company.
An earlier seal, used in 1950, features a line drawing of an industrial plant with five 5-pointed stars below it. The perimeter text reads "City of Birmingham, Ala." and is surrounded by a rope-design.
During the Birmingham Centennial in 1971 a special commemorative seal was used, featuring a frontal view of Vulcan holding his neon torch and an updated skyline featuring the Birmingham City Hall surrounded with the words "BIRMINGHAM CENTENNIAL" and the dates "1871" and "1971". A second motto "CENTURY OF MAGIC" curves below Vulcan between mine rails anchored with a mine car at either end. The seal was also featured on a commemorative coin, with the new Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center on the reverse. There is at least one example of the coin on the internet with a reverse showing Vulcan on his pedestal, with the words "Vulcan's Dedication" and the date "April 8, 1972" around the edge, separated by two small circles.
1950s seal
Centennial seal
Reverse of Centennial Coin showing the then-new BJCC. The front is the same as the centennial seal.
See also
References
- "Vulcan now part of city's new seal" (October 25, 1960) The Birmingham News, p. 12
- Numista.com listing, accessed December 4, 2016