IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ENVELOPES, AND CERTAIN OTHER COMBINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS OF PAPER AND GUM, DENOMINATED LETTER-CHECKS
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Hogg, Junior, Publisher, of Number 4,
Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF ENVELOPES, AND CERTAIN OTHER COMBINATIONS AND
APPLICATIONS OF PAPER AND GUM, DENOMINATED LETTER-CHECKS,' FOR
1
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Hogg at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th
February 1856.
I, JAMES HOGG, Junior, Publisher, of No. 4, Nicolson Street, Edinburgh,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE
MANUFACTURE OF ENVELOPES, AND CERTAIN OTHER COMBINATIONS AND APPLI-
CATIONS OF PAPER AND GUM, DENOMINATED "LETTER-CHECKS," FOR CONTAINING AND
SECURING WRITTEN, PRINTED, OR OTHER COMMUNICATIONS, to be as follows, that is
to say:
This Invention consists in improvements in the manufacture of envelopes
and certain other combinations and applications of paper and gum, for con-
taining and securing written, printed, or other communications, by means of
which improvements increased security is given to the said envelopes or other
combinations and applications of paper and gum when sealed or fastened.

page_text: The first part of the 'Invention is as follows:-Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 in
the accompanying Drawings are various representations of the application of
the Invention to ordinary envelopes.
Figure 1 shows the back of a 'folded envelope, as well as the enclosing
tongue or flap, which when sealed or fastened, secures the contents of the
envelope. The circular red-spots upon the-tongue-or-flap-represent a series
of holes punched out of the body of the paper. The dotted black lines show
the folding of the under flaps on the under side.
Figure 2 is a representation of the enclosing tongue or flap of an envelope,
in which tongue or flap the red spots represent a series of perforations in the
body of the paper.
Figure 3 is a représentation of the enclosing tongue or flap of an envelope,
in which tongue or flap the red lines represent semicircular incisions in the
body of the paper.
Figure 4 is a representation of the enclosing tongue or flap of an envelope,
in which tongue or "flap the red "lines represent incisions in the body of the
paper.
Figure 5 is a representation of the tongue or flap of an envelope, in which
tongue or flap the portions coloured red "show small portions of the paper
incised or cut out from the edge inwards, as well as "punched out' holes made
in the body of the paper at a short distanceffrom thie.edge.
Figure 6 is a representation of the enclosing tongue or flap of an envelope,
in which tongue or flap the portion coloured yellow shows that portion of the
inside which is covered with gum or other suitable adhesive substance (for
sealing or fastening down), as intended 'to be applied in connection with
tongues or flaps, similar to those shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 15.
Figure 7 is a complete representation of the whole of that "side of an
envelope which is meant to have an enclosing tongue or flap-sealed or fastened
'down on it, the said tongue or flap being manufactured with, punched out
holes, cut out portions, perforations, piercings, or incisions-made-either-into-or
'out of the body of the paper from the edge inwards, or in-the body-of-the
spaper at a short distance from the edge, according -to- any of-the-methods-laid
down in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The dotted lines represent the under-flaps,
which when brought together are laid beneath the tongue.or-flap, covered on
the inside with gum or other: suitable adhesive substance, as shown in Figure-6.
Figure 7 represents the whole envelope as it appears on the fastening: side
wben 'fastened down and the red spots show the particular part-of-the tongue
or flap occupied by the punched out holes, cut out portions, perforations,

page_text: piercings, or incisions made in the body of the paper, according to Figures
1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Figure 8 is a representation of a complete envelope before it has been
folded up. The portions marked a, b, c, d, are the various tongues or flaps,
which when folded together form a side such as that shown in Figure 7.
The red spots upon the portions b, c, d, show that the under flaps are in this
case holed, cut out, perforated, pierced, or incised, according to any of the
methods set, forth in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, while the enclosing tongue or flap,
after being gummed (marked a in Figure 8), is left plain or only impressed
with an embossed ornament, of any suitable, kind.
Having now set forth the meaning of these eight Figures in, the .Drawings,
I. declare that I proceed first of all to manufacture envelopes of any size,
according to any of the common patterns at present in use. The fabric of
which they are made may be paper of any fabric, tint, or combination of
tints, or union of paper with any suitable textile fabric. The manner in
which they are manufactured is by any of the ordinary methods which bring
the envelope to a complete,state as regards its formation, except in such cases
as those set forth under Figure 8, which, cases are specially provided for
hereafter.
Having brought the envelope to this stage of manufacture by any con-
venient method now practised, I proceed first of all to spread on the inside
of the enclosing tongue or flap a coating of gum-water of the ordinary nature
and consistency adapted to such purposes, or of any suitable adhesive
substance, said coating of gum or other adhesive substance being spread in
such. manner as is represented by, the yellow..colour in, Figure 6. Thereafter.
I take the envelope and bring it under a punching or cutting die placed in
a suitable press. This, punching or cutting die is to be of any convenient form
which will make a series of holes, cut out portions, perforations,, piercings, or
incisions into or out .of, that portion of the body, of the paper which has been
coated with gum or other adhesive. substance, the, said holes, cut out portions,
perforations, piercings, or incisions being similar to those represented in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Further, the envelope may or may not be afterwards brought under the
stamping die of an embossing press, and there ornamented with an ornament
of any convenient sort, in such position as that marked a in Figure 1. The
envelope when so manufactured will be found, when the gum or other
adhesive substance. upon the inside of its enclosing tongue or flap has been
properly wetted and pressed, down upon, the under flaps (which under flaps
are shown by dotted lines in Figure 7), to have great. tenacity of adherence

page_text: between the surfaces, which tenacity renders it difficult to open the envelope
without tearing some of the holed, cut out, perforated, pierced, or incised
portions of the paper fabric. This tenacity is a mechanical action caused by
the adhesive properties of the gum or other adhesive substance in combination
with the holed, cut out, perforated, pierced, or incised portions of the gummed
flap.
When the envelope is to be manufactured in a manner similar to that
represented in Figure 8, then I take the sheets or pieces of paper cut out
according to the outline of Figure 8 or any similar convenient outline, and
before the under flaps (marked in Figure 8, b, c, d,) are folded in, I subject
one or more of these under flaps to the process of holing, cutting out, cutting
out, perforating, piercing, or incising, in the same manner as described for the
enclosing tongues or flaps previously set forth in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. In
the present case the enclosing tongue or flap (marked a in Figure 8) of the
envelope is left plain or impressed with any suitable embossed ornament.
After one or more of the under flaps have been holed, cut out, perforated,
pierced, or incised, the envelope is to be folded and gummed, according to the
methods now commonly practised.
It is to be distinctly understood that in the tongues or flaps of the envelopes
I do not restrict myself to any particular shape or arrangement of holes,
cuttings out, perforations, piercings, or incisions. They may either be made
into or out of the body of the paper from the edge inwards at the point or tip
of the tongue or flaps, or they may be made in the body of the paper near to
the point or tip of the tongue or flaps; or they may be manufactured in a
combination of both these methods. When they are made in the enclosing
tongue or flap it is sufficient that they be made at or within that portion of it
which is covered with gum or other suitable adhesive substance, and when
they are made in one or more of the under flaps (according to the repre-
sentation given in b, c, d, Figure 8), then it is sufficient that they be made at
or near to the edges of the point or tip of any or either of the said under flaps.
The Drawings represent some of the forms which I find most convenient.
When a series of punched out holes are employed, I prefer making each hole
of a diameter varying from th to 15th of an inch, with an interval varying
from th to th of an inch between each hole; but I do not confine myself
to those intervals or proportions.
The second part of the Invention is as follows:-Figures 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, are various representations of paper manufactured in. a peculiar
manner, and having a gummed surface, which adaptation of paper and gum,
I denominate a "letter-check."

page_text: Figure 9 is a representation of the complete "letter-check." The black
outline shows the form of the "letter-check," the double dotted lines show
the size and fold in pages; the whole of the dotted lines show the marks of
the successive foldings to which the "letter-check" is subjected before sealing
or fastening down. The letters a, b, c, d, e, e, f, g, are inserted as references
to assist in explaining the succeeding Figures.
Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, are the successive stages of the folds shown in
exact rotation.
Figure 10 represents the "letter-check" as it appears when the when the
portions marked a, b, in Figure 9 have been folded over upon the top of the
portions marked c, d. In this state the "letter-check" is ready for receiving
any written, printed, or other communication.
Figure 11 represents the "letter-check" when the portions a, b, c, d, as
shown in Figure 9, have been again doubled lengthwise or in the direction of
the dotted lines between a, b, c, d, as shown in Figure 9.
Figure 12 represents the "letter-check" when the portions marked e, e¹,
as shown in Figure 9, have been folded down over a, b, c, d, in the directions
shown by the dotted lines in Figure 9.
Figure 13 represents the "letter-check" when after having been folded, as
in Figure 12, it has again been folded through (upon the portion marked fin
Figure 12), so as to leave nothing but the enclosing tongue or flap (marked g
in Figures 12 and 13) protruding.
Figure 14 represents the "letter-check' completely secured; the enclosing
tongue or flap (marked g in Figure 13), coated on the inside with gum or
other suitable adhesive substance, having been wetted and pressed down upon
all the other portions of the paper, folded according to the manner herein-
before described.
It will be observed that in each of these Figures, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
I draw a series of spots coloured red upon the enclosing tongue or flap of
each letter-check." This is to denote that I manufacture the enclosing
tongues or flaps in the same manner as the enclosing tongues or flaps of the
envelopes, as described under the first head herein-before set forth; that is
to say, I cut or manufacture paper of any fabric, tint, or combination of tints
into sheets or pieces of the form represented by the black outline in Figure 7.
I accomplish the manufacture of the paper as far as this stage by any con-
venient method, such as that ordinarily employed in cutting out envelopes out
of flat sheets of paper. Thereafter I proceed to treat that portion of cach
separate piece so cut out (in the form shown in the outline of Figure 9),
which I term the enclosing tongue or flap, and marked with the letter g in.

page_text: Figure 9 exactly in tlie same manner as I describe under the first part for
the treatment of the enclosing tongue or flaps of envelopes: The consequence
is that when the enclosing tongue or flap of the "letter-chicck," holed, cut
out, perforated, pierced, or incised according to the said foregoing, directions,
and coated on the inside with gum or other adhesive substance (also in a
similar manner as described for envelopes under the first part), has been'
wetted' and' pressed down' ujion-thie folled up portions (as shown in Figure 14),
then when the gum or other adhesive substance has dried, there ensues.a
mechanical action which results from the peculiar combination. of
paper and
gum. The result of this mechanical action produces a tenacity of adherence
between the two surfaces' which renders it difficult to open the "letter-check"
without tearing some parts of the holed, cut out; perforated, pierced; or incised
portions of the paper, fabric.
A's to the size or sizes in which I manufacture the "letter-checks," it is to
be understood that I do not limit myself in this particular. They may be
made so that the page to be written or printed upon shall be of any of the
sizes technically called by stationers foolscap, quarto, post quarto, large post
quarto, post octavo, or large post octavo. The sizes which I find most suit-
âble are large post octavo and a size about equal to foolscap quarto. Further,
it is to be understood in describing sizes that I consider one page of the
"letter-check" to be that portion of tlie surface comprised within the space
marked a, b, in Figure 9.
It is to be distinctly understood that I do not claim any special right to
manufacture paper fabrics, either in the form of envelopes or in the form
represented in tlie Drawings and set forth in the foregoing description, and
denominated a "letter-check;" but what I do claim as novel and of my
Invention is,
Firstly, the application for tlic security of written, printed, or other com-
munications of sheets or pieces of paper of any fabric, tint, or combination of
tints, or union of paper with any suitable textile fabric manufactured into the
shape of envelopes, of any convenient size and pattern; and having one or
inore of. the tongues or flaps or otlier enclosing portions holed, cut out; per-
forated, pierced, or incised either from the edge, inwards at or towards the point
or tip of any of the tongues or flaps, or in the body of the paper near to the
point of tip of any of the tongues or flaps; the said holing, cutting out,
perforating, piercing; or incising; as well as the gumming in a particular
inanner, of what I term the enclosing tongue or flap being done according to
the methods- herein-before described and referred to in the accompanying
Drawings, and rendering the said portions of the surfaces. of the sheets or

page_text: pieces of paper capable of being secured in a manner which will not permit
of their being. again separated (after wetting and fastening) without danger of
tearing the body of the fabric, at or near to the edge of the tongue, flaps, or
other enclosing portions.
Secondly,, the combination and application of paper and gum manufactured
according to the manner herein-before described, and denominated a "letter-
check," said "letter-check" being a combination applicable to the purposes
herein-before set forth, & having the tongue or flap manufactured, according
to the foregoing description:
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Hogg. in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
14th August 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
HOGG, Junior, Publisher, of No. 18, St. Andrew Square. (and lately of No. 4,
Nicolson Street), Edinburgh, send greeting..
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date, the Fifteenth day of February, A.D. One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year of Her reign, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said James
Hogg, Junior, Her special licence that, I, the said James Hogg, Junior, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as, I, the said James
Hogg, Junior, 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 THE
MANUFACTURE OF ENVELOPES, AND CERTAIN OTHER COMBINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS
OF PAPER AND GUM, DENOMINATED "LETTER-CHECKS," FOR CONTAINING AND SECURING
WRITTEN, PRINTED, OR OTHER COMMUNICATIONS, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said James Hogg, Junior, my executors or administrators,
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-In-
vention; 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Hogg, Junior, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-
lowing statement (that is to say) :-
This Invention consists in improvements in the manufacture of envelopes,
and certain other combinations and applications of
paper and
gum for con-
taining and securing written, printed, or other communications, by means of
which improvements increased security is given to the said envelopes or other
combinations and applications of paper and gum when sealed or fastened.
The first part of the Invention is as follows:-Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, in
the accompanying Drawings are various representations of the application of
the Invention to ordinary envelopes.
Figure 1 shows the back of a folded envelope, as well as the enclosing
tongue or flap, which, when sealed or fastened, secures the contents of the
envelope. The circular red spots upon the tongue or flap represent a series
of holes punched out of the body of the paper. The dotted black lines show
the folding of the under flaps on the under side.
Figure 2 is a representation of the enclosing tongue or flap of an envelope,
in which tongue or flap the red spots represent a series of perforations in the
body of the paper.
Figure 3 is a representation of the enclosing tongue or flap of an envelope,
in which tongue or flap the red lines represent semicircular incisions in the
body of the paper.
Figure 4 is a representation of the enclosing tongue or flap of an envelope,
in which tongue or flap the red lines represent incisions in the body of the
paper.
Figure 5 is a representation of the enclosing tongue or flap of an envelope,
in which tongue or flap the portions coloured red show small portions of the
paper incised or cut out from the edge inwards, as well as punched out holes.
made in the body of the paper at a short distance from the edge.
Figure 6 is a representation of the enclosing tongue or flap of an envelope,
in which tongue or flap the portion coloured yellow shows that portion of the
inside which is covered with gum or other suitable adhesive substance (for
sealing or fastening down), as intended to be applied in connection with
tongues or flaps, similar to those shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Figure 7 is a complete representation of the whole of that side of an
envelope which is meant to have an enclosing tongue or flap sealed or fastened
down on it, the said tongue or flap being manufactured with punched out
holes, cut out portions, perforations, piercings or incisions made either into or

page_text: out of the body of the paper, from the edge inwards, or in the body of the
paper at a short distance from the edge, according to any of the methods laid
down in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The dotted lines represent the under flaps which,
when brought together, are laid beneath the tongue or flap, covered on the
inside with gum or other suitable adhesive substance, as shown in Figure 6..
Figure 7 represents the whole envelope as it appears on the fastening side
when fastened down, and the red spots show the particular part of the tongue
or flap occupied by the punched out holes, cut out portions, perforations,
piercings, or incisions made in the body of the paper, according to Figures 1,
2, 3, 4, 5.
Figure 8 is a representation of a complete envelope before it has been
folded up. The portions marked a, b, c, d, are the various tongues or flaps
which, when folded together, form a side such as that shown in Figure 7. The.
red spots upon the portions b, c, d, show that the under flaps are in this case
holed, cut out, perforated, pierced, or incised according to any of the methods
set forth in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; while the enclosing tongue or flap, after
being gummed (marked a in Figure 8), is left plain or only impressed with
an embossed ornament of any suitable kind.
Having now set forth the meaning of these eight Figures in the Drawings,
I declare that I proceed, first of all, to manufacture envelopes of any size
according to any of the common patterns at present in use. The fabric of
which they are made may be paper of any fabric, tint, or combination of tints,
or union of paper with any suitable textile fabric. The manner in which they
are manufactured is by any of the ordinary methods which bring the envelope to
a complete state as regards its formation, except in such cases as those set forth
under Figure 8, which cases are specially provided for hereafter.
Having brought the envelope to this stage of manufacture by any con-
venient method now practised, I proceed first of all to spread on the inside of
the enclosing tongue or flap a coating of gum water of the ordinary nature and
consistency adapted to such purposes, or of any suitable adhesive substance,
said coating of gum or other adhesive substance being spread in such manner
as is represented by the yellow colour in Figure 6. Thereafter I take the
envelope and bring it under a punching or cutting die placed in a suitable
press. This punching or cutting die is to be of any convenient form which will
make a series of holes, cut out portions, perforations, piercings, or incisions
into or out of that portion of the body of the paper which has been coated
with gum or other suitable adhesive substance, the said holes, cut out portions,
perforations, piercings, or incisions being similar to those represented in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

page_text: Further,. the envelope, may or may not. be, afterwards brought under the
stamping: die of an: embossing: press,, and there: ornamented! with an ornament
of any convenient, sort; in such position as that.marked a in Fig. 1. The
envelope when: so manufactured will be found,,when the gum, or other, adhesive
substance upon: the inside of its, enclosing tongue or flap has been properly
wetted and pressed down upon ther under flaps. (which under-flaps, are shown
by dotted lines in Figure: 7), to have great: tenacity of adherence between the
surfaces, whichtenacity renders it difficult to open. the envelope. without tearing
some: of, tlie: holes;, cut out,, perforated, pierced,. or incised portions of the paper
fabric. This tenacity is a mechanical action caused by the adhesive properties
of: the gum or other suitable; adhesive substance, in; combination with the holed
out, cut out,,perforated; pierced; or incised. portions of the-gummed flap.
When the envelopei is to be manufactured. in: a manner similar to that
represented in Figure 8,. then I. take: the, sheets or pieces: of paper; cut
out according to the outline of Figure 8 or any, similar convenient, outline,.
and before the under flaps (marked in, Figure 8, b, c, d,) are folded in, I sub
ject one or more of these under flaps, to the process of holing,, cutting out,
perforating, piercing, or incising in the same manner as described for the
enclosing tongues or flaps previously set forth in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. In the
présent case the enclosing tongue or flap (marked, a. in Figure 8) of the
envelope is left plain or impressed with any suitable embossed ornament.
After one or more of the under 'flaps; have been holed, cut out,. perforated,
pierced, or incised, the envelope is to be folded and gummed according to the
methods, now commonly practised..
It is. to, be distinctly understood that; in the tongues or flaps of the envelope
I do not restrict myself to any particular shape or arrangement of holes,
cuttings out; perforations, piercings, or incisions. They may either be made
into or out of the body of the paper from the edge inwards at, the point or tip
of the tongue or flaps, or they may be made in the body of the paper near to
the point or tip of the tongue or flaps; or they may be manufactured in a com-
bination of both these methods. When they are made in the enclosing tongue
or flap it is sufficient that they be made. at or within that portion of it which
is covered with gum or other suitable adhesive substance, and when they are.
made in one or more of the under flaps (according to the representation given
in. b, c, d, in Figure 8), then it is sufficient that they be made at or near to the
édges of the point or tip of any or either of the said under flaps.
The Drawings représent. some of the forms which I find most convenient.
When a series of punched out holes are employed, I prefer making each hole
of a diameter varying from th to ath of an inch, with.an interval varying

page_text: these intervals or proportions:
The second part of the Invention is as follows:-
Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, are various representations of paper, manufactured
in a peculiar manner, and having a gummed surface, which adaptation of
paper and gum: I denominate a "letter-check.""
Figure 9 is a. representation of the complete "letter-check." The black
outline shows the form of the "letter-check," the double dotted lines show the
size and fold in pages,;. the whole of the dotted lines show the marks of the
successive foldings to which the "letter-check" is subjected before, sealing or
fastening down. The letters a, b, c, d, e,.e', f, g,.aro inserted as references to
assist in explaining the succceding Figures.
.
A
:
Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, are the successive stages of the folds shown in
exact rotation.
Figure 10 represents the "letter-check" as it appears when the portions
marked a, b, in Figure 9 have been folded over upon the top of the portions
marked c, d. In this state the "letter-check" is ready for receiving any
written, printed, .or other communication.
Figure 11 represents the "letter-check" when the portions a, b, c, d, as
shown in Figure 9, have been again doubled lengthwise or in the direction
of the dotted. lines between a, b, c, d, as shown in Figure 9.
Figure 12 represents the "letter-check" when the portions marked e, e', as
shown in Figure 9, have been folded down over a, b, c, d, in the directions
shown by the dotted lines in Figure 9.
:
Figure 13 represents the "letter-check" when, after having been folded
as in Figure 12,. it has again been folded through (upon the portion
marked in Figure 12), so as to leave nothing but the enclosing tongue
or flap (marked g in Figures 12 and 13) protruding.
:
Figure 14 represents the "letter-check" completely secured, the enclosing
tongue or flap (marked g in Figure 13), coated on the inside with gum or
other suitable adhesive substance, having been wetted and pressed down
upon all the other portions of the paper, folded according to the manner
herein-before described.
It will be observed that in each of these Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, I
draw a series of spots coloured red upon the enclosing tongue or flap of each
"letter-check." This is to, dénote that I manufacture the enclosing tongues
or flaps in the same manner as the enclosing tongue or flaps of the envelopes,
as described under the first head berein-before set forth; that is to say, I cut
or manufacture.paper. of any fabric, tint, or combination of tints, into sheets or

page_text: pieces of the form représented by the black outline in Figure 7. I accomplish
the manufacture of the paper as far as this stage by any convenient method;
such as that ordinarily employed in cutting out envelopes out of flat sheets of
paper. Thereafter I proceed to treat that portion of each separate piece so
'cut out (in the form shown in the outline of Figure 9), which I term the
enclosing tongue or flap, and marked with the letter ġ in Figure 9, exactly in
g
the sanie manner as I describe, under the first part, for the treatment of the
enclosing tongue or flaps of envelopes. The consequence is, that when the
enclosing tongue or flap of the "letter-check," holed, cut out, perforated,
pierced, or incised according to the said foregoing directions, and coated on
the inside with gum or other suitable adhesive substance (also in a similar
manner as described for envelopes under the first part), has been wetted and
pressed down upon the folded up portions (as shown in Figure 14), then when
the gum or other suitable adhesive substance has dried, there ensues a
mechanical action, which results from the peculiar combination of paper and
gum. The result of this mechanical action produces a tenacity of adherence
between the two substances, which renders it difficult to open the "letter-
check" without tearing some parts of the holed, cut out, perforated, pierced, or
incised portions of the paper fabric.
As to the size or sizes in which I manufacture the "letter-checks," it is to be
understood that I do not limit myself in this particular. They may be made
so that the page to be written or printed upon shall be of any of the sizes
technically called by stationers foolscap quarto, post quarto, large post quarto,
post octavo, large post octavo, or any other sizes which I may think desirable.
The sizes which I find most suitable are large post octavo and a size about
equal to foolscap quarto. Further, it is to be understood in describing sizes,
that I consider one page of the "letter-check" to be that portion of the surface.
comprised within the space marked a, b, in Figure 9.
It is to be distinctly understood that I do not claim any special right to
manufacture paper fabrics, either in the form of envelopes or in the form
represented in the Drawings, and set forth in the foregoing description,
and denominated as "letter-checks;" but what I do claim as novel and of my
Invention is, ―
Firstly, the application for the security of written, printed, or other com-
munications of sheets or pieces of paper of any fabric, tint, or combination of
tints, or union of paper with any suitable textile fabric manufactured into the
shape of envelopes of any convenient size and pattern, and having one or more
of the tongues or flaps, or other enclosing portions, holed, cut out, perforated,
pierced, or incised, either from the edge inwards at or towards the point or

page_text: tip of any of the tongues or flaps, or in the body of the paper near to the point
or tip of any of the tongues or flaps, the said holing, cutting out, perforating,
piercing, or incising, as well as the gumming in a particular manner of what
I term the enclosing tongue or flap being done according to the methods herein-
before described and referred to in the accompanying Drawings, and rendering
the said portions of the surfaces of the sheets or pieces of paper capable of
being secured in a manner which will not permit of their being again
separated (after wetting and fastening) without danger of tearing the body of
the fabric at or near to the edge of the tongue, flaps, or other enclosing
portion.
Secondly, the combination and application of paper and gum manufactured
according to the manner herein-before described, and denominated a "letter-
check," said "letter-check" being a combination applicable to the purposes
herein-before set forth, and having the tongue or flap manufactured according
to the foregoing description.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Hogg, Junior, have heretofore set
my hand and seal, this Ninth day of August, A.D. 1856.
(L.S.) JAMES HOGG, JUNIOR.

page_text: LONDON: Printed by GEORGE EDWARD EYRE and WILLIAM SPOTTISWOODE.
Printers to the Queen's most Excellent,Majesty. 1856