On the Trail of Henry Hudson
and Our Dutch Heritage
Through the Municipal Seals
in New York, 1609 to 2009

Compiled by Marvin W. Bubie

ISBN-13: 978-0-9856926-5-0
ISBN-10: 0-9856926-5-0
LCCN: 2014954141
Product #: SCP-0052
Retail Price: $19.95
Physical: 88 pages, 7.5" x 9.25", softcover, color interior, illustrated
Publication Date: November 15, 2014
Retail Distribution: Click link for info
Library Distribution: Click link for info
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Softcover - $19.95
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Book Summary

Mankind has always developed symbols that relate to location, nationality, family, and more. Over the centuries in Europe a set of rules developed around heraldry, primarily through rank and privilege, but especially with monarchies and nobility. What happened when people came to America, and there was no monarchy, and essentially no central authority for municipal symbols? What happened is what this book is about.

The Hudson River Valley of New York State has a unique Dutch heritage expressed in many ways, including through the official seals and logos of counties, towns, cities, and villages. These seals are found on the official government letterheads and web sites, on the police and fire vehicles, on the walls of municipal chambers, and even in works of art. As residents, we often get to choose them through our Board of Supervisors or Town Councils. Therefore, in this area of New York, you will find windmills, illustrations of a 17th century ship, and unique Dutch names—Rensselaer, Watervliet, Stuyvesant, Yonkers, Kinderhook, etc. 400 years after Henry Hudson and 345 years after the Dutch formally relinquished claim to New York, the Dutch influence is both subtle and pervasive. This influence is a part of our daily lives.

In 2009 sigillographer Marvin Bubie first collected the images of these Dutch-influenced seals and related the history behind their design. This second edition is revised and expanded and includes 77 illustrations.

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Reviews

"Seeing the Hudson Valley or the Catskills is always best by car, motorcycle, bicycle, boat, or walking. But whether you remain at home or if you're mapping out a future trip, Bubie offers a nice armchair tour of these locales."

John Rowen, Kaatskill Life - Read the full review.

"Marvin Bubie’s interest in the history and iconography of county, city and town seals of New York State led him to create this wonderful volume. The artwork on these seals allows us a brief introduction to the political, economic, and social structure of these communities largely bordering the Hudson River. As we celebrate the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson’s discovery, we can be grateful to Mr. Bubie for compiling this information for future generations to learn from and enjoy."

Kathryn T. Sheehan, Rensselaer County Historian (2009)

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About the Author

Marvin Bubie was born and raised in the Capital District, graduating from Averill Park High School and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is retired from General Electric and has lived in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Virginia. In addition, he spent eighteen months in Germany with the US Army, and has returned to Europe many times visiting Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Germany. Over the years he has collected the seals from various cities, towns, counties, boroughs, and villages in this country, as well as those in Europe. He has published two similar books, Along the Erie Canal with the Municipal Seals of the Cities, Towns and Villages of New York, and Celebrating the American Revolution: Municipal Symbols of a Free Country, and is at work on another book of seals related to railroading heritage.

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