An Improved Postage-stamp.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 17th May, 1893-Accepted, 17th June, 1893
VALL DEL DI FUIFICATION.
An Improved Postage-stamp.
We, GEORGE MICHAEL BRIGHT, and GEORGE STUART, both of Abingdon,
Virginia, U.S.A., Gentlemen, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This our invention has reference to an improved postage-stamp; the object of the
invention being to provide a postage-stamp which can be readily torn in half or
more pieces, to diminish its value by one half or by any other amount.
This invention is especially useful in cases where the postage on each of many
letters being stamped amounts to an odd sum, such as one penny and a half penny,
or two pence halfpenny, and so on, inasmuch as the stamps having been torn off
into long strips, can be readily torn off to the required amount on each letter; thus
avoiding the necessity of going over the whole batch of letters again in order to
affix the half penny stamps.
It will be readily understood that the stamps may represent any value provided
its half represents one half its value.
We now proceed to describe our said invention more particularly, reference being
had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures and letters of reference marked
thereon.
Fig. 1. represents a postage-stamp in accordance with my invention.
Fig. 2. shews the postage-stamp torn in halves; each half representing a certain
value.
A indicates a postage-stamp which is perforated at a point indicated by the dotted
line α, thus dividing the stamp into two complete halves B, B. The value of the
complete stamp is preferably indicated on the face thereof by a figure printed over
the perforations a as shown at b, whilst the value of each half of the stamp may be
plainly printed thereon as shewn at c.
It will be understood that the stamps may be of any design or configuration, and
that the perforations a may divide the stamp either vertically, horizontally, diagonally
or in any other suitable direction, and further, that the stamp may be divided by
perforations a into more than two separate pieces.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A divisable postage-stamp of prescribed valuation, shape and design, divisable
and separable into two independent sub-stamps of independent design, each equal in
value to one half of the whole or unit stamp, as set forth.
2. A divisable unit stamp for revenue purposes of approved material, shape,
design and valuation centrally divisable by spaced perforations into two independent
sub-stamps, each sub-stamp being equal in valuation to one half the valuation of the
unit-stamp, said unit-stamp having a valuation mark, symbol or figure so arranged
that a fragment of said mark, symbol or figure will remain on each division or sub-
stamp when the unit-stamp is divided, as set forth.
3. A divisable postage-stamp comprising a sheet of paper of prescribed size
provided with an approved design, and rendered divisable into two or more portions
by a series of spaced perforations, and a valuation mark or figure upon said sheet

page_text: intermediate the portions, so that when the unit-stamp is divided, a fragment of said
valuation mark or figure will be on each portion, substantially as specified.
Dated this 17th day of May 1893.
W. H. MUNNS,
Agent for Applicants.