IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO THE CLASS OF HATS MADE FROM PALM LEAF, GRASS, CHIP, TUSCAN, LEGHORN, PANAMA, STRAW, AND OTHER LIKE MATERIALS.
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Cooper Tress, of Blackfriars Road, in the County
of Surrey, Hat Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
OR APPLICABLE TO THE CLASS OF HATS MADE FROM PALM LEAF, GRASS, CHIP,
TUSCAN, LEGHORN, PANAMA, STRAW, AND OTHER LIKE MATERIALS.
aled the 15th June 1858, and dated the 3rd April 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Cooper Tress at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
3rd April 1858.
I, COOPER TRESS, of Blackfriars Road, in the County of Surrey, Hat
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO THE CLASS OF HATS MADE PROM PALM LEAF,
GRASS, CHIP, TUSCAN, LEGHORN, PANAMA, STRAW, AND OTHER LIKE MATERIALS,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in shaping and blocking hats made from palm leaf,
grass, chip, tuscan, leghorn, panama, straw, and other like materials, in the
usual way, and in the use and application of a "band" or "bands" to the.
lower part of the crown of the hat where the crown and brim unite, or part.
commonly called the band of the hat, and which applied band or bands are
so made, placed, and fixed, as to give strength and firmness to the form of the
hat, and to enable the hat to keep its shape. The "band" or "bands" preferred
to be used is of cotton cloth or calico, saturated with elastic varnish or a solu-
tion of shellac or any other gummy or glutinous matter, and "placed and fixed
inside, outside, or both," of the lower part of the crown of the hat, where the

page_text: crown and brim unite, and when dry, a coating of hatters' proofing or varnish
is added, but any other stiff or stiffening materials may be used for the
purpose.
By means of this Invention palm leaf, grass, chip, tuscan, leghorn, panama,
straw, or other like hats may be made to acquire and sustain the requisite oval
shape to fit the head of the wearer, obviating unequal pressure on the forehead,
and enabling the hat to retain its shape or form.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Cooper Tress in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd October 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, COOPER
TRESS, of Blackfriars Road, in the County of Surrey, Hat Manufacturer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Third day of April, in the year of our Lord.
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight,- in the twenty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Cooper Tress, Her special licence that I, the said Cooper Tress,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Cooper Tress, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR
APPLICABLE TO THE CLASS OF HATS MADE FROM PALM LEAP, GRASS, CHIP, TUSCAN,
LEGHORN, PANAMA, STRAW, AND OTHER LIKE MATERIALS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Cooper Tress, my executors or adminis-
trators, 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 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.
I NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Cooper Tress, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, that is to say:-

page_text: My Invention consists in shaping and blocking hats that are made from
palm leaf, grass, chip, tuscan, leghorn, panama, straw, and other like materials,
in the usual way, and in the use and application of a band or bands to the
lower part of the crown of the hat where the crown and brim unite, or part
commonly called the band of the hat, and which applied "band or bands" are
so made, placed, and fixed as to give strength and firmness to the crown and
brim of the hat, and to enable the bat to keep its shape. The band or bands
I prefer to use is of cotton cloth or calico, saturated with elastic varnish made
from boiled oils, turps, and a mixture of gums, spirits, et cetera, or a solution
of shellac in spirits, and forming what is commonly called gossamer; these are
applied by means of heated irons or steam to the lower part of the crown of
the hat, inside, outside, or both, and brought over, on, or under the brim, and
when dry, a coating of hatters' proofing or varnish is added; but I wish it to
be understood I do not confine myself to these materials, as any other stiff or
stiffening materials may be used for the purpose.
By means of this my said Invention palm leaf, grass, chip, tuscan, leghorn,
panama, straw, and other like hats can be made to acquire and keep the
requisite oval form, secures and strengthens the crown to brim, and enables
the shaper to set and curl the brim more perfectly, a desideratum not hitherto
obtained in this class of hats.
Having now fully described my said Invention, and how the same may be
performed, what I claim as new and my Invention is,―
First, the use and application of a robin band or bands to the inside, outside,
or both, of the lower part of the crown of the hat, securing and strengthening
that part of the crown to the brim, and giving an additional strength when
extended over on the brim, which I prefer.
Secondly, the use and application of elastic varnish for the purpose, as
heretofore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Cooper Tress, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Second day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
COOPER TRESS. (L.S.)