A compression seal container includes a base with a cover, the cover including a seal to selectively engage with the upper rim of the base. The cover includes a core plate with a cylindrical central column and mounts a peripheral gasket. A slide plate mounts on the central column and has a periphery to engage the upper rim of the base. A grip plate also mounts on the central column. Threaded engagement of the grip plate to the central column ensures that rotation of the grip plate moves the core plate toward or away from the slide plate to cause or release compression of the gasket. The closed outer end of the central column is transparent to create a window to view contents. The threads include a pawl and detent combination to create tactile indication of the extent of operable rotation of the grip plate.