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This image is a close-up of the official red wax seal on Johann Tudan’s Arbeitsbuch. The embossed inscription reads “VORSTAND D.G. KOSMESNE” — this is the seal of the Vorstand der Genossenschaft Kosmesne (Board / Executive of the Guild in Kosmesne/Kostestie).

It ties perfectly into the Gewerbeordnung sections we’ve translated:

  • § 104 explicitly requires the Genossenschaftsvorstehung (guild executive) to authenticate entries in the Arbeitsbuch using their official seal when issuing the Lehrbrief (apprenticeship diploma).
  • The “D.G.” abbreviation stands for Dorfgenossenschaft (village guild / cooperative), the local craft guild in Tudan’s hometown of Kostestie.

The yellow-and-black cord is the traditional way these seals were attached to prevent tampering, exactly as mandated for official certification. This physical seal is the real-world implementation of the legal rules we saw on pages 79–80 — proof that the guild (not just the employer or police) played a direct role in validating Tudan’s work record around 1909–1910.

This confirms the workbook was officially processed through the local Kostestie guild system.