the Names and Dates, or other Particulars, relating to the Receipt and Despatch of Letters or other Documents or Articles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 20th Mar., 1897
the Names and Dates, or other Particulars, relating to
the Receipt and Despatch of Letters or other Documents
or Articles.
1, DANIEL DE CASTRO, of Wargrave, Beaufort Road, Kingston-on-Thames, in
the County of Surrey, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement, that is to say:-
My invention has for its object a novel form of index or register, to be used
preferably in connection with the book-files for which I obtained Letters Patent
dated March 13th, A.D. 1895 and numbered 5338, or with letter files or letter
books of other descriptions.
By the use of my present invention, increased convenience of reference is attained
and great saving of time in the labour of indexing is effected.
The index can be so arranged as to refer to any fixed period of time. Assuming
one year to be the unit of time adopted, the name of any one who has written or
been written to during the year can then be quickly found by one reference to one
index; whilst against each name a complete list of all the letters received. from or
written to the person named during that period can be seen at a glance, together
with references to the volumes and pages of the book-files, letter-files, or letter-
books respectively in which the letters received or copies of the letters sent are to be
found.
The improved index, or register, consists of sheets of paper, preferably of foolscap
size, bound or attached together in sufficient number to enable all the letters likely
to be received or sent in any one year, or other determined space of time, to be
registered.
The several pages are appropriated to the different letters of the alphabet, which
are indicated in the usual well-known way by the right-hand edge being cut
away in steps, each step containing a certain number or set of pages appropriated
to a particular letter of the alphabet which is printed or marked upon the upper
page of the set.
I make the number of pages in each such set dependent upon the frequency with
which the particular letter to which they refer is likely to be required.
Thus, the following shows approximately the number of times that each letter of

page_text: The list of letters received will be seen on the left hand side of the name; that
of the copies of letters sent on the right hand side; and in each case the upper
numerals refer to the volume of the book files, letter files, or letter books of that
year or other determined period in which the letters or copies are to be found,
the lower numerals to the pages in those book files, letter files, or letter books,
respectively.
The increased convenience of reference and the saving of time in the mere
labour of indexing by adopting this system will be found in practice to be very
great. The necessity also for separate indexes to book files, letter files or letter
books, is obviated, and the cost of each may be correspondingly reduced.
The method of registering a letter is as follows:-Immediately upon receipt the
clerk in charge of the correspondence places it on its proper book file or letter
file, pages it as shewn and explained below, and enters it in the index against the
name of the writer.
The pageing of the letter shows at the same time the particular book-file to which
the letter belongs and the page of the volume which that letter forms; for
example, letters paged as follows: 3/21, 3/22, 3/23, indicate that they are.
pages 21, 22 and 23 respectively of the third volume of the book-files for the year
or other fixed period in which the letters were written. .
Conversely the entries 3/21, 3/22, 3/23, in the index, show at once the volume
and the pages of it, at which the three particular letters ought to be found ;.
the date of the letter itself showing the year or other fixed period to which the
volumes refer.
The copies of letters sent can of course be similarly paged and indexed.
Once earmarked thus, and entered up in the index, any letter can thenceforth
be found instantly by referring to the index for the year or other fixed
period. if it be taken off its file it bears on the face of it the volume to.
which it belongs, and the page which it forms in that volume, and it can thus be
easily replaced.
The improved index is of such a form as to meet every possible case. It is
immaterial whether the book-file or letter-file be adopted for letters sent as well as.
for letters received, or only for letters received, the letter-book being retained for
keeping the copies of letters sent; whether one series of volumes only be kept for
all the letters received and sent, or two or more series be kept, one for the
miscellaneous and general correspondence, and one or more for private or special
businesses. To every case the index adapts itself with equal facility, and with
equal advantage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said iuven-.
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
The improved index or register, having pages divided into sets lettered and
appropriated in number to the average proportional number required for the different
letters forming the initials of surnames; these pages being ruled horizontally in.
the ordinary way and divided vertically into a central column to receive the names
of correspondents, and having the spaces on the right and left of the central
column subdivided into a number of separate spaces by vertical lines and further
horizontal ruling so as to receive the numbers of the volumes and pages of the book
iles, letter files or letter books to which the index or register relates; substantially.
as and for the purposes described.
མ་ས་
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.