The Meaning of “Baker’s Mark”

The name Baker’s Mark comes from a 15th century tradition of baker’s marking their breads with a unique seal that was “a means of identifying him for punishment if his bread were unwholesome or short of weight. If, however, a baker consistently made good bread, this same seal would naturally come to be associated with his high standard and would stand for the goodwill of his trade. To sell bread unsealed, therefore, exposed one at once to the suspicion of trying to pass off poor stuff” (Thrupp, Sylvia. The Worshipful Company of Baker’s. Croydon: Galleon Press 1933). In this same spirit, Baker’s Mark puts their mark of identification and seal of quality on every book that is represented under the company name.