AN ELASTIC STAMP FOR PRINTING ON PAPER, LINEN, PARCHMENT, WOOD, STONE, GLASS, METAL, OR ANY OTHER SUITABLE MATERIAL
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Sorby Dawson, of Thames Ditton, in the
County of Surrey, Chemist, for the Invention of "AN ELASTIC
STAMP FOR PRINTING ON PAPER, LINEN, PARCHMENT, WOOD, STONE, GLASS,
METAL, OR ANY OTHER SUITABLE MATERIAL."
Sealed the 3rd August 1869, and dated the 6th February 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Sorby Dawson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 6th February 1869.
I, CHARLES SORBY DAWSON, of Thames Ditton, in the County of
Surrey, Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN ELASTIC STAMP FOR PRINTING ON PAPER, LINEN, PARCHMENT, WOOD, STONE,
GLASS, METAL, OR ANY OTHER SUITABLE MATERIAL," to be as follows :—
The Invention consists in an elastic stamp for printing on paper,
linen, parchment, wood, stone, glass, metal, or any other suitable
material to be used either in a press or as a hand stamp.
The same is made by taking a stereotype mold in plaster of Paris or
papier maché from printers' type, or from an engraved surface made in

page_text: either wood, steel, copper, stone, or type metal. A composition of glue
dissolved in glycerine by heat, and when of a suitable consistency, is
then pored upon the stereotype mold above mentioned, which has been
previously varnished and greased in order that the composition may be
removed from the said mold without injuring any of the lines in the
matter from which the impression is taken, and when cold is both elastic
and pliable.
Another composition can also be made of molasses and glue, and used
instead of glue and glycerine, although I prefer the latter, it being
easier worked, of greater durability, and makes a more perfect im-
pression.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles Sorby Dawson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 6th August 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
SORBY DAWSON, of Thames Ditton, in the County of Surrey, Chemist,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of February, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Charles Sorby Dawson, Her special
licence that I, the said Charles Sorby Dawson, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Charles Sorby
Dawson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"AN ELASTIC STAMP FOR PRINTING ON PAPER, LINEN, PARCHMENT, WOOD, STONE,
GLASS, METAL, OR ANY OTHER SUITABLE MATERIAL,"
SUITABLE MATERIAL," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Charles Sorby Dawson, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or
one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was

page_text: to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Sorby Dawson, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
This Invention consists in an elastic stamp for printing on paper,
linen, parchment, wood, stone, glass, metal, or any other suitable
material to be used either in a press or as a hand stamp.
The same is made by taking a stereotype mould in plaster of Paris or
papier maché from printers' type, or from an engraved surface made in
either wood, steel, copper, stone, or type metal. A composition of
glue dissolved in glycerine by heat, and when of a suitable consistency,
is then poured upon the mould above mentioned, which has been
previously varnished and greased in order that the composition may be
removed from the said mould without injuring any of the lines in the
matter from which the impression is taken, and when cold is both elastic
and pliable.
When the necessary matter, such as words, figures, cuts, or any other
devices to be contained in the stamp, is decided upon, it is then set up
in type, woodcut, or any engraved surface, such as can be used for
printing, and from it a stereotype mould is taken, either in plaster of
Paris, papier maché, or other suitable material. When the mould is dry
it is covered with a coating of shellac varnish, made in about the
following proportions, spirit of wine, naptha, or methylated spirit, throe
fluid ounces, shellac half an ounce, applied twice at least, allowing the
first coating to become perfectly dry before a second is applied. As soon
as the second is dry it is necessary to examine the entire surface of the
mould to see that it is everywhere coated with the varnish, and if so,
smear it over as thinly as possible with a little olive or sperm oil,
applied with a very soft brush; this application will prevent any of the
composition adhering to the mould, and insure a perfect separation.
The composition is then reduced to a liquid condition in a water bath
by means of heat, and then poured upon the mould to the thickness of
about half an inch, and allowed to stand until cold; this will take from
two to six hours according to the temperature of the atmosphore.

page_text: The composition for the elastic die is prepared as follows:-Take of
glue or gelatine one pound avoirdupois (the glue here mentioned is
known in commerce by that name) and of glycerine seven fluid ounces,
steep the glue or gelatine in water until it becomes pliable, then melt
in a water bath by means of heat, and whilst liquid add the glycerine.
I do not confine myself to these exact proportions, as thirty per cent.
more or less of the different ingredients may be used without materially
affecting the impression made by the die, but the proportions, namely,
one pound avoirdupois weight of glue to seven fluid ounces of glycerine,
is a fair average proportion for all the ordinary requirements of the die
or stamp, but for larger sizes, namely, from five inches square to two
feet square, a composition of one pound avoirdupois weight of glue or
gelatine and ten fluid ounces of glycerine may be used to greater
advantage. Then again for use on soft, yielding, or elastic substances
a harder composition is preferable, made in the following proportions,
glue or gelatine one pound, glycerine four ounces:
Having thus described the nature of my improvement, and to better
understand its application and use, reference is made to the accompany-
ing Drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon
and made to form part of this Specification.
Figure 1 is a face view of a die ready for use; Figure 2 is a side
elevation of the same; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the die with a
convex printing surface to be used on concave forms or any surface
that assumes a concave shape by the pressure necessary to be put upon
the stamp or die in the process of making an impression; Figure 4
shows how the ordinary stamp represented in Figure 2 may be used for
printing on a cylindrical surface C, or any curved form.
A represents the elastic die composed of the composition, and B the
slab or handle, to which it is attached by a cement composed of an ounce of
shellac dissolved in one and a half ounces of alcohol, methylated spirit, or
naptha applied with a brush to each of the surfaces which are required
to adhere to each other. The elastic die A is fastened to a piece of
wood B, or it can be attached to a piece of metal, glass, or other sub-
stance in place of wood; the piece B is made slightly larger than the
stamp, as represented in the accompanying Drawings. For the large sized
stamps the piece B should be provided with suitable holders to make it
more convenient to handle when used. After cementing the die to the
holder B it should not be used until the cement becomes hard. When

page_text: used for the ordinary purposes of printing, stamping, or marking printers'
ink of any colour may be used, applied to the face of the die by means
of a printers' roller or a pad thinly smeared with the ink.
For putting an indelible' mark upon linen or cotton take of nitrate
of silver twenty-five grains, proof spirit two fluid drachms, dissolve the
former in the latter for solution Number 1. Take of water one fluid
ounce, super-carbonate of soda sufficient to make a saturated solution,
for solution Number 2. The pad is made by gluing a small piece of
velvet to a small block of wood about two inches square; now wet the
part of the fabric to be marked with solution Number 2, and allow it
to dry; when dry or very nearly so pour a few drops of solution
Number 1 upon the pad, then apply the face of the die to the pad, and
transfer it to the part of the fabric already prepared with solution
Number 2.
Having described the manner of preparing the composition making
the stamp or die, also its application to use for printing or marking
purposes, what I claim therein as new is, the use of glycerine combined
with glue as herein-before described for the purposes mentioned in the
foregoing Specification..
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Sorby Dawson, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of August, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
Witness,
AARON ROMAIN.
CHARLES SORBY DAWSON. (L.S.)