Improved Device for Affixing Stamps to Letters, Envelopes, and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left. 21st Oct., 1892-Accepted, 10th Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Device for Affixing Stamps to Letters, Envelopes, and
the like.
I, HARRY MARSCHNER of No. 12, Serrestrasse, Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony,
German Empire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for object, to enable persons to affix stamps to letters
envelopes or the like (hereinafter referred to as envelopes) in a quick, convenient
and safe manner. The stamps in general use are usually provided on one side with
gum or other adhesive matter, which after being moistened, becomes the medium
for affixing the stamps in place to the envelopes.
With the devices hitherto in use for the above purpose, the hands of the operator
as well as the devices themselves become sticky from the repeated contact of the
moistening surface of the device with the glue, gum or other adhesive matter on
the rear side of the stamps.
Now this invention has reference to a device that need never become sticky, as
by its proper use it will never come in contact with the adhesive matter. The
improved device furthermore affords a ready means for pressing down the stamp
when in place upon the envelope and also for sucking up any superfluous moisture
which may remain around the stamp after being placed upon the envelope.
My improved device is illustrated in the accompanying drawing. It comprises
a handle or holder of suitable length, of cylindrical or any other convenient cross
section and of any suitable material as for examples, wood, cellulose, or hard
rubber.
One end of this handle is provided with a moistening part b that may con-
veniently consist of a piece of sponge, and be fixed to the end of the holder which
is cut off in an oblique manner. This slanting or oblique position of the sponge
facilitates the use of the same.
The opposite end of the handle which may be of somewhat greater diameter,
receives a pad c, which may consist of a layer or layers of material such as felt.
The end of the handle may be formed with a cavity, in which the pad can be
fixed; in this case the pad must partially project from the cavity.
The device thus constructed can be used for stamping letters etc. or fixing stamps,
in the following manner.
The part having been sufficiently moistened with water, it is applied to the
part of the envelope, on which the stamp is to be fixed.
On the part thus moistened the stamp is laid by hand with the gum side down-
wards. The stamp is then pressed down by means of the pad c which removes any
moisture, that may be around the stamp, owing to the surface moistened being
unavoidably larger than the stamp but in the short time between laying down the
stamp and pressing it down by the pad e, this moisture will not become mixed with
the adhesive matter on the rear side of the stamp. No parts of the device
therefore come in contact with the adhesive matter.
To change the position of the device from the moistening position to the pressing
down position, it is not necessary to release the device but simply to turn the wrist
slightly.
Dad thin 7th do of October 1800
H. MARSCHNER,
By L. W., per F. B.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Device for Affixing Stamps to Letters, Envelopes, and
the like.
I, HARRY MARSCHNER of No. 12, Serrestrasse, Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony,
German Empire, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has for object, to enable persons to affix stamps to letters,
envelopes or the like (hereinafter referred to as envelopes) in a quick, convenient
and safe manner. The stamps in general use are usually provided on one side with
gum or other adhesive matter, which after being moistened, becomes the medium
for affixing the stamps in place to the envelopes.
With the devices hitherto in use for the above purpose, the hands of the
operator as well as the devices themselves become sticky from the repeated contact
of the moistening surface of the device with the glue, gum or other adhesive matter
on the rear side of the stamps.
Now this invention has reference to a device that need never become sticky, as
by its proper use it will never come in contact with the adhesive matter. The
improved device furthermore affords a ready means for pressing down the stamp
when in place upon the envelope and also for sucking up any superfluous moisture
which may remain around the stamp after being placed upon the envelope.
My improved device is illustrated in the drawing filed with my Provisional
Specification.
It comprises a handle or holder of suitable length, of cylindrical or any other
convenient cross section and of any suitable material as for examples, wood,
cellulose, or hard rubber.
One end of this handle is provided with a moistening part 6 that may con-
veniently consist of a piece of sponge, and be fixed to the end of the holder which
is cut off in an oblique manner. This slanting or oblique position of the sponge
facilitates the use of the same.
The opposite end of the handle which may be of somewhat greater diameter,
receives a pad c, which may consist of a layer or layers of material such as felt.
The end of the handle may be formed with a cavity, in which the pad can be fixed;
in this case the pad must partially project from the cavity.
The device thus constructed can be used for stamping letters etc. or fixing stamps,
in the following manner.
b
The part 6 having been sufficiently moistened with water, it is applied to the part
of the envelope, on which the stamp is to be fixed.
On the part thus moistened the stamp is laid by hand with the gum side down-
wards. The stamp is then pressed down by means of the pad c which removes any
moisture that may be around the stamp, owing to the surface moistened being
unavoidably larger than the stamp and pressing it down by the pad c this moisture
will not become mixed with the adhesive matter on the rear side of the stamp.
No parts of the device therefore come in contact with the adhesive matter.
To change the position of the device from the moistening position to the pressing
down position, it is not necessary to release the device but simply to turn the wrist
slightly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
My improved device for affixing stamne to letters envelones or the like

page_text: consisting of a handle (a) carrying at one end a moistening part (b) and at its
other end a pad (c) capable of taking up moisture, substantially as described and
shewn for the purpose specified.
Dated this 21st day of October 1892.
H. MARSCHNER,
By L. W., per F. B.