AN IMPROVED MANUFACTURE OF ADHESIVE SEAL
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Harriet Goodhue Hosmer, of Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED MANUFACTURE OF
ADHESIVE SEAL."
Sealed the 28th November 1879, and dated the 14th June 1879.
Sealed the 28th November 1879, and dated the 14th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Harriet Goodhue Hosmer at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th June 1879.
HARRIET GOODHUE HOSMER, of Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
"AN IMPROVED MANUFACTURE OF ADHESIVE SEAL."
The object of this Invention is to provide a convenient means for affixing a seal
to letters, packages, and documents, whereby the necessity for the usual accessories,
such as matches and tapers or candles, which are not always at hand, may be
dispensed with,
To this end a thin disc of sealing wax is formed of any desired size, and into the
centre thereof is inserted a small quantity of fibrous material which has previously
been impregnated with some inflammable substance, and is tipped with an igniting
compound which will project slightly above the surface of the disc of wax. To the
back of the disc may be applied a small quantity of gum arabic or other similar
adhesive material, by which, when moistened, the seal may be held temporarily in
position during the ignition of the composition, which is effected by rubbing across
the igniting composition a suitable friction surface.
The object of the fibrous material is to form a body or core which will burn such
length of time that the heat given off will be sufficient to thoroughly melt the disc
of wax and permit of its receiving the desired impress from an engraved seal.
It will be obvious that in place of the disc of wax a lozenge or other form of wax
wafer may be used.

page_text: In some cases, instead of using the fibre to carry the igniting composition, this
material may be applied in sufficient quantity to effect the desired result, and in
the form of a small pastille, directly to the centre of the wax, a small quantity of
the composition being also incorporated therewith as an additional means for
ensuring the thorough softening of the wax.
The seals, as above described, may be sold in boxes like ordinary wafers or wax
vestas.
I would remark that for additional security I may sometimes use as the igniting
composition a substance which will only ignite when rubbed by a specially prepared
surface, as in the case of the well known safety matches.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Harriet Goodhue Hosmer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th December 1879.
HARRIET GOODHUE HOSMER, of Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
"AN IMPROVED MANUFACTURE OF ADHESIVE SEAL."
The object of this Invention is to provide a convenient means for affixing a wax
seal to letters, packages, and documents, whereby the necessity for the usual acces-
sories, such as a lucifer match and taper or candle, which are not always at hand,
for heating the same may be dispensed with.
To this end I strike out from a thin sheet of sealing wax discs of suitable size to
form a seal and insert in the centre thereof, while still soft, a small tuft of fibrous
material, such as cotton, which has been impregnated with paraffine or some equi-
valent inflammable substance, and tipped with a compound that will ignite by
friction. This tuft will project but slightly from the face of the disc of wax.
back of the disc I coat with gum arabic or other adhesive material, by which, when
moistened, the seal may be held temporarily in position during the ignition of the
composition, which is effected by rubbing across it a suitable friction surface.
The
The impregnated fibrous material will burn sufficiently long to set fire to the
surrounding wax and prepare it for receiving the desired impress from a seal or
signet ring. As the fibre, when burnt, is liable to form a cinder that would dis-
figure the impression, I saturate the fibre before it is impregnated with the in-
flammable substance with a solution of borax, which will avoid this inconvenience.
It will be obvious that the seal instead of taking a circular form may be stamped
out in the form of a lozenge or any other desired shape.
In some cases, instead of using fibre to carry the igniting composition, this
material may be applied directly to the centre of the wax in the form of a button.
Or the entire surface of the seal may be thinly coated with the igniting compo-
sition. In either case, a film of some inflammable medium, such as solid paraffine,
is inserted between the igniting composition and the sealing wax.
The seals, as above described, may be packed and sold in boxes like ordinary
wafers.
For security against accidental ignition I may use as the igniting composition a
substance which will only ignite when rubbed by a specially prepared surface, as in
the case of the well known safety matches.
I have found that the following ingredients in varying proportion will form such
a composition, viz., chlorate of potash, saltpetre, and peroxide of manganese, or
other chemical compound or ingredient which, when heated or fired, gives off
oxygen freely, mixed with somo suitable mucilage to bind the whole together.
There are however many other well known igniting compositions which will
answer the purpose equally well.
Having now described my Invention of "An Improved Manufacture of Adhesive
Seal," and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be
understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim, the manu-
facture of adhesive seals by combining sealing wax in the form of a wafer with
igniting composition, as and for the purpose above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Harriet Goodhue Hosmer, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.