IMPROVEMENTS IN WRITING AND CANCELLING INKS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert Richmond and Walter S. Richmond, both of the
City of New York, State of New York, United States of America, Gentlemen,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WRITING AND CANCELLING INKS."
Sealed the 6th December 1878, and dated the 2nd July 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert Richmond and
Walter S. Richmond at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd
July 1878.
HERBERT RICHMOND and WALTER S. RICHMOND, both of the City of New York,
"IMPROVEMENTS
State of New York, United States of America, Gentlemen.
IN WRITING AND CANCELLING INKS."
While the composition of matter which forms the subject of our Invention is
applicable for use as ordinary writing ink when diluted to the proper consistency,
it is especially adapted for use as a cancelling ink for postage or revenue stamps,
for which latter purpose it is eminently fitted by reason of its absolute indelibility,
a feature which is also of great value in using the ink in its diluted state for writing
wills, checks, and other similar legal or commercial documents.
The said ink consists of the following ingredients, namely:-Eosine, aniline black,
aniline blue, cupric chloride, sodium chlorate, ammonium chloride (sal ammoniac),
glycerine, lampblack, water, and oil. These substances are taken in the following
proportions:-Eosine, one part; aniline black, four parts; aniline blue, two parts;
cupric chloride, ono part; ammonium chloride, three parts; sodium chlorate, two
parts, and of the remaining ingredients a sufficient quantity to bring the ink to the
proper consistency for the use for which it is intended.
The ingredients are thoroughly incorporated by grinding or "stirring, when the
composition is ready for use.
The ink described is absolutely indelible. Stamps canceled therewith are
effectually destroyed, and the fraudulent alteration of inatter written therewith is
impossible

page_text: The rationale of the operation of the ink is as follows:-Besides having as an
ingredient aniline black, it embodies also the substances necessary to produce that
color, to wit, an anilino, an oxidizing agent, and a cupric salt. The re-action of
these substances is however retarded by the oil, which also forms a part of the ink,
As a consequence the aniline black, which is a product of the re-action of the
ingredients of the ink, is partly formed within the body of the stamp paper.
In preparing the composition for ordinary writing ink the oil and lamp-black are
preferably omitted, a small portion of gum arabic being added in their stead, the
latter subserving the same end as the oil. To prevent moulding a small proportion
of some antiseptic agent, such as salicylic acid, may also be added.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herbert Richmond and Walter S. Richmond in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 10th December 1878.
HERBERT RICHMOND and WALTER S. RICHMOND, both of the City of New York,
State of New York, United States of America, Gentlemen. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
WRITING AND CANCELLING INKS."
While the composition of mattor which forms the subject of our Invention is
applicable for use as ordinary writing ink when diluted to the proper consistency,
it is especially adapted for use as a cancelling ink for postage or revenue stamps,
for which latter purpose it is eminently fitted by reason of its absolute indelibility,
a feature which is also of great value in using the ink in its diluted state for writing
wills, checks, and other similar legal or commercial documents.
The saidink consists of the following ingredients, namely:-Eosine, aniline black,
aniline blue, cupric chloride, sodium chlorate, ammonium chloride (sal ammoniac),
glycerine, lampblack, water, and oil. These substances are taken in the following
proportions Eosine, one part; aniline black, four parts; aniline blue, two parts;
cupric chloride, one part; ammonium chloride, three parts; sodium chlorate, two
parts; and of the remaining ingredients a sufficient quantity to bring the ink to the
proper consistency for the use for which it is intended.
The ingredients are thoroughly incorporated by grinding or stirring, when the
composition is ready for use.
The ink described is absolutely indelible. Stamps cancelled therewith arc
effectually destroyed; and the fraudulent alteration of matter written therewith is
impossible.
-
The rationale of the operation of the ink is as follows:-Besides having as an
ingredient aniline black, it embodies also the substances necessary to produce that
color, to wit, an aniline, an oxidizing agent, and a cupric salt. The re-action of
these substances is however retarded by the oil, which also forms a part of the ink.
As a consequence the aniline black, which is a product of the re-action of the
ingredients of the ink, is partly formed within the body of the stamp paper.

page_text: In preparing the composition for ordinary writing ink, the oil and lampblack are
preferably omitted, a small portion of gum arabic being added in their stead, the
latter subserving the same end as the oil. To prevent moulding a small proportion
of some antiseptic agent such as salicylic acid may also be added.
We are aware that it is not new to employ aniline black, or its homologues in inks,
and therefore do not claim such, our Invention consisting essentially in such a
compound as contains the ingredients for forming aniline black, and for retarding
the re-action sufficiently to defer its completion until after the ink shall have been
applied to the paper or surface upon which it is to be used.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of our said Invention and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, what we claim as of our Invention
and as secured to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
Firstly. An ink for writing or cancelling, having as ingredients an aniline, an
oxidizing agent, an oil, or its equivalent, and a cupric salt, substantially as
described.
Secondly. The ink herein described, consisting of eosine, black and blue aniline,
cupric chloride, sodium chlorate, ammonium chloride, glycorine, and oil, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, we, the said Herbert Richmond and Walter S. Richmond,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fourth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
ERNEST G. STEDMAN.
(L.S.)
HERBERT RICHMOND.
WALTER S. RICHMOND. (L.S.)
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