IMPROVEMENTS IN CHRISTMAS CALENDAR AND OTHER CARDS
Year: 1884

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WILLIAM HARBUTT 15 Bladud Buildings Bath, Somerset, do hereby declare
the nature of any invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN CHRISTMAS CALENDAR AND
OTHER CARDS to be as follows:-
By the attachment of two cards together, & by my arrangement of cutting one
of them & fitting the detached piece with gussett & hinge of thin fabric, to form
a firm wall bracket for the novel reception & display of cut flowers or light
ornaments. The parts keep their places by their own elasticity & selfaction, which
does not prevent immediate return to the flat card shape when desired.
The principle applied to Xmas, birthday calendar & other cards renders them
objects of utility as well as decorative features & does not interfere with their
present postal portability.
By the use of a detachable tube of waterproof paper or glass made to fit into
the bracket cut flowers can be displayed & kept fresh.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
WILLIAM HARBUTT artist 15 Bladud Buildings Bath, Somerset, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN CHRISTMAS, CALENDAR AND
OTHER CARDS and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Two stout cards are pasted together face to face, except at their centers (as
shown by drawing & section in sheet accompanying application) the upper card is
cut, so that its central portion which is free can spring, or be bent away from the
back, and be retained open by a piece hinged to it by thin paper, this turns down
and pressing against the back card, forms a flat lid.
The spring piece is fitted with side gussets which fold together & disappear when
the card is shut up, & the pressure removed; when opened the card thus assumes
at once the character of a miniature bracket, firm and immovable, and can readilly
be attached to a wall by two brass pins or tacks & being shut, it appears simply
a flat card.
The hinged flap or lid has an apeture in which can be inserted and concealed
within the bracket a tube of glass, india rubber, or water proof paper to take cut
flowers.
1
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner, the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1st The utilising in a very simple & inexpensive manner of Christmas & other
cards (the size is immaterial) as a distinctive feature for wall decoration 1st by the
light & shade which is obtained by the projection as a bracket in addition to the
coloured decoration of the card itself 2nd by the display & preservation of cut
flowers, feathers grasses, palms &c 3rd as a steady support for small relief orna-
ments such as vases, china figures, watches &c. 4th as to utility as a tidy (if
the apeture in flap is enlarged) for dend leaves or fluff, cigar & spent matches,
paper knife or scissors or satchet of perfume 5th the suspending of wreathes, or
chains of dried flowers, or beads &c. 6th as a needle case or other similar
receptacle.
2nd There being no spring catches or machinery, except the aforementioned
hinge & gussett-the action is automatic and incapable of getting out of order.
3rd The immediate return to a flat card shape when ever desired, thus its
portability as a card for postal or other transit is not interfered with.
4th The rendering of cards of permanent interest & utility increasing their
value as an advertising agent for use in offices & other public places.
5th I do not confine myself to cardboard, as the invention can be carried out in
metal, papier mache or other material,