J. VAN DER VALK & Co - distiller recognised for a number of sealed pictorial sealed gins, including "Stork with 3 young", "Hoopoe" - a species of bird, and  "Piet Heyn" - a Dutch naval hero.

Piet Heyn was born in 1577 and was killed in a sea battle in 1629, after spending most of his life at sea.

Admiral Piet Heyn's most famous exploit was capturing a number of Spanish Galleons laden with treasure and returning the spoils to the Netherlands - his home country.

A statue was erected in his honour and still stands near the old Delfshaven Harbour, Rotterdam.

For some interesting history about Piet Heyn, refer to the following web site : 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piet_Pieterszoon_Hein 

I would like to thank Peter Vermeulen for supplying the 2 pictures of Piet Heyn's  statue featured on this page, one of many valuable additions Peter has contributed to this web site.