New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-21


inc ones, or even singly, without suspicion of their
nature. Photography and photo-lithography have
not yet been so perfected that colors can be copied
and, hence, the printing of portions of the note in
red green or blue inks s in isef the important pre-
ventive of connterfeitiDg. The National Bank Note
Company, in addition to this, give their customers
another guaranty against oss, by filing the spaces
on the note unoccupied by the design, with tracery
of cy coi-rosette work which il would lie almost i'm
possible to initiate by hand engraving 1t consists Of
a combination of eccentric lines with the name OF
the bank and denomination of the note many times
repeated in the pattern. The eccentric lines are en-
graved on the plate by small but very ingenious
hand lathe, which moves "a diamond point over the
prepared plate by the combiued action of eccentric,
roseite a.d cycloid motions. The Operati OF this
little machine is very interesting to witness moving,
as it does its diamond over the steel in tangled
maze OF paths, but all according to a pTearranged
plan, and always with unerrDg accuracy.
A portion of the cyclo-rosette work being done in
this lathe, can be multiplied to AN indefinite extent
by means of an ingenious geometrca transfer press,
the invention OF Durand and the exclusive property
of the National Bank Note Company.
Within the two years of the compaDy's existence
they have engraved notes for banks in many of the
States, in some cases having secured the exclusive
work of a whole State. They have been Of late ex-
tensively employed by the United States Government
in engraving and printing six per cent Treasury
Notes, Oregon War Loan Bonds, and now busy
upon Registered ana Coupon Bonds of the fifty
million loan. Tie company have ALSO contract with
Government for the exclusive manufacture OF post
age stamps, and since the middle Of August have de-
vcred over 100 900, coo stamps Of ali denominations
The designs for the stamps first engraved on dies,
laken up rolls and then transferred to IA large
steelplte by the process OF multiplication, the hsr-
dened roll being applied successfully TO every por-
ton of tie surface until the dies of 200 stamps arc
made. The plate being now hardened goes to the
printing room. The process of printing is very sim
ple the pla,e being mixed, then laid in TIE pets the
mostened sheet placed on it, the roller passed once
over it aud 900 portage stamps pripted ~ one
orer4tion. weak oil Is used so thai the stamp may
moi be saturated, ms the papers, not hg y sizej as
that used for bank notes. CarmiLe gives the red
color to the 3cen stamp, pale ulra-marine the blue
70 the penny stamp chrome green the tint t. the 10
cent stamp while the scent denomination is printed
in brown the l2-cent in black the 2i-cent in purple,
The 30 cent in orlngc, and the 90ceh in intense ultra
marine FROM the press tie sheets of STAMPS 20 TO
the dryng-room, where they piled up IN canvas
covered France or racks arranged that each nays
work. and even each mans task is kept by Itself.
They 20 nest to be gummed labor which is entirely
performed by girls. Tue sheets are laid IN plies face
down: each girl has copper basin Of gum and a
sof, fat brush with which she finishes sheet with
few strokes. Each girl gums LOCO sheets or,oC00
stamps IN day. TIE gum used for tots purlose is
prerared by man only, who Aeets the formula Of
ia manufacture profound secret. The gummed
sheets are PLAYED in racks similar those used in the
,ryine-room and piled mp in the room for half day,
or day and half, as the atmosphere may bs more
or less dry. and when thoroughly drisd e laid be-
tween pasteboard leaves, and subjected to powerful
pressre The sheets are now cot ia bAlves 50 as to
leave 100 on sheet and are thea taken to another
room. where the holes between the stamps are per-
forated by machinery. This operation is performed
by passing the sheets, first IN one direction and then
across, between UPPER and lower set Of narrow
brass cylinders shafts the upper Sc. being furnished
with small steel punches, and the other perforated
with holes or dies TO correspond. Tie operation il
Instantaneous the whole eleven rows of holes being
runcted at once. The cylinders are adjustable on
their shafts so that stamps of any sizs he er.or
ated'by the same machine.
Tie stamps are now finished, the only remaining
dutv of the attendants beng TO count and inspect
them, after which they are placed in the safe and
cent IN packages wherever Government directs.
Each machine worked by girl for twelve hours,
rerfora,es 10 coo sheets 100000 stamps day,
one way, or half that number if the bOles made
in both directions Lost year the Pos,-Oibce De-
psrtmen used 2i6, coo 600 postage stamps of all de-
n minatiops, while this year the increase will not
fall far short of 20, 600 600. OF all the denomina-
tions of stamps the red, Scent ones, mos. in
demand. about three times as many Of them being
used as of penny stamps Next 10 the penny, the
l0cent denomination is most in request, next tie -
cent then the 2i-cen and on; the 9Ocent ones Of
course being less require. than any others stamps
being really the representatives OF 50 much money,
The greatest care is taken 20 guard against dishonesty
on the pant of workmen, and perfect is the system
of ehecIs that the lcss of single penny stamp can
be detected with absolute eersiuty.
The stamp department is in charge of Mr. G. f.
Steel bu the interests of the Government are looked
after By II special agent, Mr.. Boyd, TO whom tie
conany are obliged 10 render strict account every
stamp even every sheet of paper that passes through
The hands If their empo, ees The bank note and
stamp printing rooms are superintendent BY e. w.
Hawkins. who like the other loremsn Is d stock
holder in the company, and man Of long experience
in his department.
The prospective Increase of Government loanswi
necessarily put into circulation millions OF evidences
Of lis indebtedness, and the manufacture Of these
notes alone will furnish full employment for the two
large bank note companies which we have IN turn
described
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