The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-23

ANEW DEVICE FOR CANCELL1NG STAMPS
AND CHECKs.-Mr. Theodore +. Taylor, OF
this city, has invented and patented n stamp
for cancelling stamps and checks, but more
particularly for use in the prevention and
detection OF forgery and changing denomi-
nations OF drafts, checks, and all other val.
liable documents. The stamp, to casual
observer, resembles an ordinary stamp for
cancelling checks; but its superior eNecu-
ton, the inventor claims, will make it one
OF the most valuable instruments ever
brought into use. In the construction OF
the stamp iace-plate is set on plane with
the face OF the plunger, and secures the
platinum wire to the face OF the plunger on
a facing OF mica by means OF small loops OF
platinum wire. The connections to the bat
tery to which the instrument is TO be at
tached are so arranged that the circuit is
completed and the wire made red hot be-
fore it touches the paper.
The base OF the plunger is OF wood or
other non-conducting material, through
which pass metallic wires or rods. At their
upper ends these two rods come in contact
with the two tips, which project out
through the sides OF the base, 30 as to re-
ceive the electricity from the two wires.
The tip has its wire clamped to 1t by means
of q screw, while the tip which projects
from the opposite side OF the base Is en-
tirely disconnected from its wire, except
when the plunger is depressed. Ihls
wire, unlike the other, Is Il spring,
which is wrapped around non-con'
Quoting substance, SO as to bold II IN posi-
ton, and passes forward under the prolec.
ton, so as to hold its front end depressed
Just below the tip. In this position the
circuit is broken, and remains so until the
plunger is depressed, when the tip comes
in contact with the wire and completes the
circuit. On the under-side OF the base IS
secured plate OF ivory, bone, OF other non
conducting substance, ana 10 the lower
side Of th., plate is secured plate OF mlca'
Fastened to the face OF this mica Is q nne
platinum wire, which may be arranged SO
"a TO form any figure, letter, monogram, or
other device. This wire In the lnstru,
ment which Mr.. Taylor has completed
is shown as bent into curved OF zig,
zao shane. and is fastened to the face OF
the plate by means of small loops, which
have their ends in contact with the rods.
Nv fIatteninr this wire or making any Pc
cnlior marks upon it, it is evident that q
means ~ detection is afforded that can
never he counterieited. AS soon as the
munger is but partially depressed and the
circuit formed the wire instantly becomes
white-hot, and sears the surface OF any paper 7
or other substance it may come In coptact
with. AS the wire is very fine, it is Just
sufficient to scar the face OF the paper 10
such manner that the mark can never De
erased without at the same time destroyias
or iniurine the paper. When appllea 10
the cancellation Of stamps the face OF the
stamp is spoiled without the slightest IN
iury to the letter to which it is attached. ;,
Mr.. Taylor believes this invention will vii
be found especially valuable to banks foi
the purpose Of preventing the words ano nc
figures on checks from being raised: Mice
is used in this connection because u IS NO. o.
only a non-conductor OF neat, Dul peGauss nans
It is not burned by the wire. Ivory or bone
Is II 1,sed as backing for the mica because
thew are tough, can be made OF any degree
Of thickness, and are non-conductors O.
electricity.