---
entity_slug: stamp_masters
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:24:37.392130'
overall_score: 4.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is precise and clearly distinguishes stamp-masters as
    officials who certify linen cloth quality, drawing clear parallels to aulnagers
    (woollen cloth) and mint officials (metal currency). The concept is distinct and
    well-bounded within the standardization framework.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter
    4, where he explicitly mentions stamp-masters alongside other certification officials
    as examples of public institutions providing quality assurance. The definition
    accurately reflects Smith's usage without adding external interpretations.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Regulation" domain assignment is perfectly appropriate, as stamp-masters
    represent a clear regulatory function involving official oversight and standardization
    of commercial goods. This fits squarely within the broader category of market
    regulation and quality control mechanisms.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: Stamp-masters map naturally to S3 (internal regulation/audit) as they
    perform monitoring and control functions to ensure quality standards within the
    commercial system. They could also relate to S2 (coordination) by reducing market
    oscillations through standardization, giving them clear VSM relevance.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity illuminates an important structural mechanism in Smith's
    analysis of how commercial societies develop institutional solutions for quality
    assurance and standardization. It demonstrates the principle that market efficiency
    requires trusted certification systems, adding genuine explanatory power to understanding
    commercial development.
---

# Evaluation: Stamp Masters

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is precise and clearly distinguishes stamp-masters as officials who certify linen cloth quality, drawing clear parallels to aulnagers (woollen cloth) and mint officials (metal currency). The concept is distinct and well-bounded within the standardization framework.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter 4, where he explicitly mentions stamp-masters alongside other certification officials as examples of public institutions providing quality assurance. The definition accurately reflects Smith's usage without adding external interpretations.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Regulation" domain assignment is perfectly appropriate, as stamp-masters represent a clear regulatory function involving official oversight and standardization of commercial goods. This fits squarely within the broader category of market regulation and quality control mechanisms.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

Stamp-masters map naturally to S3 (internal regulation/audit) as they perform monitoring and control functions to ensure quality standards within the commercial system. They could also relate to S2 (coordination) by reducing market oscillations through standardization, giving them clear VSM relevance.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity illuminates an important structural mechanism in Smith's analysis of how commercial societies develop institutional solutions for quality assurance and standardization. It demonstrates the principle that market efficiency requires trusted certification systems, adding genuine explanatory power to understanding commercial development.
