The Gauntlet - June 2009

A Publication of Armorial Gold Heraldry Services

HERALDRY RAMBLINGS

There seems be some signs of the economy improving. You may have to look hard for them but customers are reporting an increase in business. Certainly not to the pre-downturn levels nonetheless, improving.

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SYMBOLISM ADDITION

THE BADGER

This often fierce animal, cousin to the wolverine, is a symbol of tenacity, and protection. They protect there young at any cost and have been known to fight off wolves, and even bears. Badgers have powerful forelegs which enable them to dig through the ground easily and swiftly to capture prey such as hares, squirrels and the like. A male badger is called a boar, a female a sow, a young badger a cub, and the collective name for a group of badgers, is a clan. The German word for Badger is Dachs, and the famous dachshunds were originally bred to hunt them in a once popular sport practiced by the nobles of olde. In many cultures, the badger is symbolic of aggression. Although rare in early heraldry, the badger is enjoying somewhat of resurgence in modern heraldry, as enthusiast discover its historical symbolism.

DOUBLE TRESSURE FLORY COUNTER FLORY

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STAFF NOTES

A new fox folder is available to those who have purchased or upgraded within the last three months. Lots of nice improvements. Email the office with your preferred file format and it will be sent to you as a zip file, via email.

WHAT'S A MUSIMON

Better known as a Tityrus this medieval beast is a symbol of one in authority and influence who leads with fortitude and vigour. It has the body and head of a goat with horns of the latter plus horns of the ram. One is included in your misc beast folder, and you can read more about the Tityrus in the Symbolism library

UNGULED

A term applied to the hoofs of the horse, stag, bull, goat, etc., to express that they are of a different tincture from that of the body of the animal.

THE BAGWYN

A mythological beast similar to the heraldic antelope, but having the tail of a horse, and long horns curved over the ears, with a tusked snout, cloven hooves and a tufted body. It is said the Bagwyn was the dexter supporter of the arms of CAREY, Lord Hunsdon, in Westminster Abbey. The curved horns and horse’s tail appear to be the main difference between it and the heraldic antelope. The Bagwyn is a symbol of action, decisiveness, and guardianship.

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CHIMERA IN JUNE ART

The Chimera challenged the hero to use bravery, strength and cunning in order to achieve victory. This fabulous beast represents triumph of good over evil. Read more in the Symbolism library.

IN THE WORKS

A new version of the Gold Collection we are calling X-5, will be unveiled soon. It will include over 17 folders re-designed. Watch for it!

NEXT MONTH

Some new supporters including the buzzard, an angel with spear, and duck; four new swords, some new hands, a castle jaquelado and tressures and more.

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THE WORLDS LARGEST PROVIDER OF HERALDRY ART

We are leaving this help tip up, as more and more of you are upgrading

your Corel Draw software to X3 or X4

Corel Draw has changed some default settings in X3 and X4 that can render your vector images black, do the same for your F9 preview and in the case of X4 display your image excessively dark.

Fixes:

Top Command Bar/View Select “enhanced” and not “enhanced with overprints”;
Top Command Bar/Tools/Color Management Color Mode for Effects-should be set at RGB (not CMYK);
Top Command Bar/Tools Select “Save Settings as default” ;
When importing AG graphics into X4, make sure you first group your image before using the F9 full screen preview (X3 imports the graphic already grouped).

Adobe Illustrator Fix for CDR files using HSB color model

Some Art was created using the HSB color model (white). Illustrator CS and greater does not recognize the HSB color model, and shows those parts as black when opened. We have converted most Art to the RGB color model, but you may find the odd image that we missed.

FIX

ungroup the image and select the black, and using your mouse click on White in your color palette. If you can't figure it out, email the office naming the image file, and we'll do it for you. Note: the glitch applies to CDR files and not WMF files.