"I send [this fine horse saddle] to you... and kindly request you to accept it as a first sign of gratitude for the favors bestowed upon me. I hope that it will arrive without damage. I have had it sewed in canvas with everything that belongs to it and addressed to your honor with the mark of the colony, as in the margin."

-- Kiliaen van Rensselaer to William Kieft (Director-General of New Netherland), October 8, 1641*

Although Kiliaen van Rensselaer never stepped foot on the North American continent, his influence there was substantial. A wealthy Amsterdam merchant and a founding member of the Dutch West India Company, Van Rensselaer used his clout at home to extend his influence into the colony of New Netherland through its system of patroonships. Though not as productive as Van Rensselaer expected initially, Rennseleaerwyck was ultimately successful. It became a 'manor' after the 1664 English takeover and survived the American Revolution, lasting until 1840.

Shown here are two marks: the mark of the patroonship of Rensselaerswyck (left) and Kiliaen van Rensselaer's merchant's mark. The merchant's mark, a precursor to the modern trademark, was used to identify the shipper and authenticate goods. Wooden shipping containers were stamped with a hot iron in the shape of the mark. It could also be stamped on an invoice or a bill of lading.