IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE PREVENTION OF FRAUD IN THE USE OF STAMPS, CHEQUES, BONDS, AND OTHER MONETARY PAPERS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, .
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE PREVENTION OF FRAUD IN THE USE OF
STAMPS, CHEQUES, BONDS, AND OTHER MONETARY PAPERS." A communication
from abroad by Joseph Eastburn Winner, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
United States of America, Music Publisher.
Sealed the 4th August 1876, and dated the 12th April 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th April 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE PREVENTION
OF FRAUD IN THE USE OF STAMPS, CHEQUES, BONDS, AND OTHER MONETARY
PAPERS." A communication.
This Invention relates to a stamp or other monetary paper with a protector or
guarded printed surface consisting of the sheet proper forming one portion of said
surface, and a protecting piece or film forming another portion of said surface
integral with that of the surface of the sheet proper, the protecting piece or film
being affixed to the sheet in such a manner that it will be indicatively injured or
destroyed, partly or entirely, by attempts to remove the cancellation marks or alter
the character of the stamp or paper.
The said Invention also relates to the protector or guard constituting the
denomination of the stamp or other monetary paper, whereby also inks of more
than one color will not be requisite in the production of stamps.
It further relates to the manner of constructing a protector or guard applied to
each stamp of the sheet.
According to this Invention I take a piece of paper on which is to be printed a
stamp, cheque, or other instrument of a monetary character, and a film or thin piece
of paper or other material whose dimensions are such that when it is laid on the
piece of
paper it will occupy but a portion of the surface of said piece, and one face
of the film is coated with or is of an adhesive preparation, so that the said film may
adhere firmly to the surface of the piece of paper.
CD 631

page_text: Prior to the operation of printing the stamps or other monetary papers the blank
paper will be moistened and the film laid thereon. Then the printing takes place,
the impression being made on, the surfaces both of the paper proper and film, and
the film by the consequent pressure adheres to the paper and becomes integral
therewith.
The appearance of the stamp or other paper is in no way altered, and its aspect
is in no respect different from that of stamps or papers in use.
The operation is herein described with more special reference to stamps. If the
cancelled stamp is washed, scraped, or rubbed in order to remove the cancellation
marks the film will become rough and "furred," and thus indicate the attempt at
restoration.
If the cancelled stamp is laid in water, acid, or other fluid, the film will loosen,
but it will be impossible to restore it to its primitive location, hence the stamp
(owing to the delicacy of the engraving) is irretrievably injured. The film of paper
or other fabric or material will be cut in sheets with pieces removed therefrom so
as to form a series of cross bars, strips, or other figures, which may be regular or
irregular, the construction being such that when the prepared sheet of film is placed
on the piece of paper on which a sheet of stamps is to be printed at least one strip
bar or figure of the film will fit on the portion of-the paper constituting the confines
of an individual stamp, so that no stamp will escape having a piece of the pro-
tecting film as a portion of its face.
For this
For indicating the denomination of the stamp the film is available.
purpose I employ films of various colors, whereby different colored inks are
rendered unnecessary, since the color of the protecting film will indicate the
denomination of the stamp, and thus also stamps may be printed in the same color,
as for illustration with black ink, but the protective feature of the film is in no
wise affected by its additional service as an indicator of denominations.
In cheques, drafts, bonds, and the like the film will be placed where the amounts
of the same or other important words, figures, or characteristics are written or
located.
The material of which the film is composed should be of a most sensitive nature,
so as to indicate the slightest attempts to restore the cancelled stamp.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th October
1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE PREVENTION
OF FRAUD IN THE USE OF STAMPS, CHEQUES, BONDS, AND OTHER MONETARY
PAPERS." A communication from abroad by Joseph Eastburn Winner, of Phila-
delphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America, Music Publisher.
This Invention relates to a stamp or other monetary paper with a protected or
guarded printed surface consisting of the sheet proper forming one portion of said
surface, and a protecting piece or film forming another portion of said surface,
integral with that of the surface of the sheet proper, the protecting piece or film
being affixed to the sheet in such a manner that it will be indicatively injured or
destroyed, partly or entirely by attempts to remove the cancillation marks or alter
the character of the stamp or paper.
The said Invention also relates to the protector or guard constituting the
denomination of the stamp or other monetary paper, whereby also inks of more
than one color will not be requisite in the production of stamps.
It further relates to the manner of constructing a protector or guard applied to
each stamp of the sheet.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figures 1 and 3 are face views of stamps having my Invention applied. to them.
Figure 2 is a similar view with the stamp irretrievably destroyed; Figure 4 is a
face view of the protector or guard of the stamp; Figure 5 is a face view of the
blank sheet; Figure 6 is a face view shewing the manner of producing a number of
stamps embodying the said Invention.
A represents a piece of paper on which is to be printed a stamp cheque, or other
instrument of a monetary character. B represents a film or thin piece of paper or
other material, whose dimensions are such that when it is laid on the piece A it
will occupy but a portion of the surface of said piece, and one face of film is coated
with or is of an adhesive preparation so that the said film may adhere firmly to the
surface of the piece A.
Prior to the operation of printing the stamps or other monetary papers the blank
paper will be inoistened, and the film laid thereon. Then the printing takes place,
the impression being made on the surfaces, both of the piece A. or paper proper, and
film B, the film owing to the consequent pressure adhering to the piece aud
becoming integral therewith.
It will be seen that the appearance of the stamp or other paper A is in no way
altered, and its aspect is in no respect different to that of stamps or papers in use.
The operation will here be described with special reference to stamps. If the
cancelled stamp is washed, scraped, or rubbed, in order to remove the cancellation
marks, the film will become rough and "furred," and thus indicate the attempt at
restoration.
If the cancelled stamp is laid in water, acid, or other fluid the film will loosen,
but it will be impossible to restore it to its primitive location, hence the stamp
(owing to the delicacy of the engraving) is irretrievably injured. The film of paper
or other fabric or material will be cut in sheets with pieces removed therefrom so
as to form a series of cross bars, strips, or other Figures B, Figure 6 which may be
regular or irregular, the construction being such that when the prepared sheet of
film is placed on the piece A of paper shown in dotted lines on which a sheet of
stamps is to be printed at least one strip, bar, or figure of the film will fit on the
portion of the paper constituting the confines of an individual stamp, so that no
stamp will escape having a piece of the protecting film as a portion of its face.
For indicating the denomination of the stamp the film is available. For this
purpose I employ films of various colors, whereby different colored inks are
rendered unnecessary, since the color of the protecting film will indicate the
denomination of the stamp, and thus also stamps may be printed in the same color,
as for illustration with black ink, but the protective feature of the film is in no
wise affected by its additional service as an indicator of denominations.
In cheques, drafts, bonds, and the like, the film will be placed where the
amounts of the same or other important words, figures, or characteristics are written
or located. The material of which the film is composed should be of a most
sensitive nature so as to indicate the slightest attempts to restore the cancelled
stamp.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim-
First. A protecting film B, firmly secured at all points to a part of the piece A,
and forming an integral portion of the surface of the printed piece, as above
described and for the purpose set forth.
Second. The protecting film secured to the piece A, and having a different color,
whereby said film protects the stamp or monetary paper, and indicates the
denomination thereof in the manner set forth.
Third. The protecting film formed of a series of bars, strips, or figures, connected

page_text: together and applied to the sheet on which a series of stamps or other monetary
papers is to be printed as above described and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
STEV
DARE
W. ROB. LAKE E. (L.S.)