Improved Letter Cards and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Mar., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 15th July, 1895-Accepted, 31st Aug.,
1895
Improved Letter Cards and the like.
1, ELLIS CECIL MARKS, of White House, 17 and 18 Telegraph Street, in the
City of London, in the County of Middlesex, Artist do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in letter cards and the like, in which the
card, paper or other material on which the letter or other communication is written,
printed, or otherwise impressed, is so adapted and formed as to fold into and serve
as the equivalent of an ordinary envelope in which letters or other communications
are usually enclosed.
The object of the present invention is to produce a simple, convenient, and
effective letter card or the like, and one that will obviate the necessity of
abbreviating the correspondence, or communication to the limited space allowed on
the ordinary letter cards at present in use,. and which consists of only a single
sheet.
With these ends in view, the invention consists of certain details of form and
construction as will now be described as follows::-
The
I make an oblong double sheet of letter card, paper or other material, which has
one half somewhat narrower and shorter than the other; this smaller part of the
double sheet, folds back on itself, and is enclosed in the larger half when folded,
as in an envelope. The larger half of the double sheet is perforated horizontally a
small distance from the margins at the top and bottom, and the perforated margins
are gummed, or rendered adhesive, as in the ordinary letter cards in use.
extra length of the larger part of the double sheet, folds over, forming a closing
flap, which is also perforated at its lower margin and rendered adhesive. When
closed and rendered adhesive, it has the same appearance as a single sheet letter
The letter card or the like is opened by tearing away the sides at the
perforations and then inserting the finger or any suitable instrument under the flap
which will then easily open.
card.
In a modification, the flap of the letter card or the like, may be of a longer
length, or it may reach the extreme length of the fold, and cut across at its top
and bottom corners, at either its left or right angle, having an adhesive and a
perforated margin at either its left or right angle; so that when the side perforated
margins are torn away it is easily opened by inserting the finger, or any convenient
instrument through the aperture, and so separating the adhesive and perforated
part at its left or right angle, and will not cause the letter or other communication
matter to be torn away.
The following when taken in connection with the foregoing parts of this
Specification, and the accompanying.drawings with the letters of reference marked
thereon, is a clear, exact and full description of the invention, and which said
drawings, constitute part of this Specification and represent in:
Figure 1, a view of an oblong double sheet of letter card or the like;
A, B, and C show.the.brokeu lines to denote the folds;
D shows the broken line to denote the fold of the flapi;
E shows the outside of the flap;
FF show the first page:

page_text: K shows the address part of the card;
M shows the bottom margin of the flap;
N shows the perforated parts of the top and bottom marginal strips ;
A. A show the side edge of page FF;
P shows the perforated part of the flap;
Figure 2,
A, B, and C show the broken lines to denote the folds;
D shows the broken line to denote the fold of the flap;
EE show the inside of the flap;
G shows the marginal strips, top and bottom;
GG show the shaded lines to denote adhesive parts of the margins;
SS show the second page (inside);
'A A show the side edge of page (SS);
N shows the perforated parts of the top and bottom marginal strips;
P shows the perforated part of the flap;
Figure 3,
A, B, and C show the broken lines to denote the folds;
D shows the broken line to denote the fold of the flap;
EE show inside of the flap ;
FF show the first page;
G shows the marginal strips, top and bottom;
GG show the shaded lines to denote adhesive parts of the margins;
N shows the perforated parts of the top and bottom marginal strips ;
P shows the side edge of page (FF);
Figure 4 represents a back view of the letter card when completely closed
rendered adhesive;
E shows the outside of the closed flap;
G shows the marginal strips;
J shows the back of the card when folded and closed;
M shows the bottom margin of the flap;
P shows the perforated part of the bottom margin of the flap;
Figure 5, represents a view of the letter card closed, with its perforated a
edges torn away, and a finger is in the act of completing the opening through
flap
E shows the outside of the flap ;
J shows the back of the card;
O shows where the perforated strips have been torn away;
00 show the aperture or opening after the perforated strips have been t
away;
Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 represent modification of the letter card, the letters
reference to which, apply practically the same as in Figures 1 and 4.
Dated this 12th day of March 1895.
I, ELLIS CECIL MARKS of White House, 17 and 18 Telegraph Street, in the
City of London, in the County of Middlesex, Artist, 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 invention relates to improvements in letter cards and the like, in which the. 5
cards, paper, or other material on which the letter or other communication is
written, printed or otherwise impressed, is so adapted and formed as to fold into

page_text: and serve as the equivalent of an ordinary envelope, in which letters or other
communications are usually enclosed. The object of the present invention is to
produce a simple, convenient, and effective letter card, or the like, and one that
will obviate the necessity of abbreviating the correspondence or communication to
the limited space allowed on the ordinary letter cards at present in use, and which
generally consist of only a single sheet.
With these ends in view the invention consists of certain details of form and
construction as will now be described as follows:-
I make an oblong double sheet of letter card, paper, or other material, which
has one half somewhat narrower and shorter than the other; this smaller part of
the double sheet folds back on itself and is enclosed in the larger half when folded,
as in an envelope. The larger half of the double sheet is perforated horizontally
a small distance from the margins at the top and bottom, and the perforated
margins are gummed, or rendered adhesive, as in the ordinary letter cards. The
extra length of the larger part of the double sheet folds over, forming a closing
flap, which is also perforated at its lower margin and rendered adhesive. When
closed and rendered adhesive, it has the same appearance as a single sheet letter
card. The letter card or the like is opened by tearing away the sides at the
perforations, and inserting the finger or any suitable instrument under the flap
which will then easily open. In a modification, the flap of the letter card or the
like, may be of a longer length, or it may reach the extreme length of the fold and
cut across at its top and bottom corners at either its left or right angle, having an
adhesive and a perforated margin at either its left or right angle, so that when the
side perforated margins are torn away it is easily opened by inserting the finger or
any convenient instrument through the aperture, and so separating the adhesive
and perforated part at its left or right angle, and will not cause the letter, or other
communication matter to be torn away.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will now further describe
same with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a plan view of a
letter card made according to my invention when extended. Figure 2 is a similar
view of same but showing the reverse side to that illustrated at Figure 1. Figure 3
shows the same letter card partially folded, Figure 4 shows the letter card
completely folded and sealed by the adhesive edge, and Figure 5 is a view showing
the same card in the act of being opened. Figure 6 shows a similar letter card
provided with my improved form of adhesive flap in plan view and when extended;
Figure 7 is a similar view of the latter flap card, but showing the reverse side to
that illustrated at Figure 6. Figure 8 shows a similar letter card partly folded,
and Figure 9 shows the folded card in the act of being opened. Figure 10
illustrates a folded card having a somewhat shorter flap than that shown in the
previous four figures. Similar letters of reference refer to like parts in all the
figures.
The letter card according to my invention is formed from one sheet of card,
paper, or equivalent material, of somewhat oblong form one part thereof A. A¹
being narrower and shorter than the other part B B', the part C, extending from
the part B¹, being utilized to form a flap as hereafter mentioned. The part A A'
(being the smaller part of what I may call the double sheet) is creased or marked
as indicated by the chain line B2, and is adapted to be folded on to the part B B',
in which position the card is shown at Figure 3; the crease or mark, indicated by
the chain line A2, of the smaller part A A¹, then coincides with the fold indicated
by the chain line B3 upon which line the card is again folded, whereby the smaller
part A A¹, becomes enclosed within the folded part B B; the flap C is then folded
on the line C, and the letter card assumes the form shown at Figure 4.
The large part B B', and flap C, are perforated a small distance from the
margins at the top and bottom as at D D', and flap C, is also perforated vertically
on line E, the perforated margin being coated with mucilage as indicated at F,
Figure 2, the said margin at F being rendered adhesive before the card is folded
into the form shown at Figure 4.

page_text: A letter card constructed as before described provides the spaces available for
receiving the written or printed communication as shown at A' A Figure 1, A A¹
Figure 2, and B B' Figure 2, thus giving more than twice the available writing
space now usual with letter cards now made having perforated and adhesive edges.
To open a letter card made according to my invention the upper and lower edges
are torn away at the perforation D D₁ as has been done in the view given at
Figure 5, and for this purpose the finger is inserted under the flap C, and the card
separated along the line of perforations E.
.
Referring now particularly to Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, the letter card is formed
as in the previous arrangement from one sheet of card, paper, or equivalent
material of somewhat oblong form, one part thereof A A¹ being narrower and
shorter than the other part B B, and the part C which is to form a flap extending
from the part B' is of triangular shape, the hypothenuse inclining in either the
direction shown at Figures 6, 7 and 9, or in the direction shown at Figure 8. In
some cases the flap may be somewhat shortened, as shown at Figure 10.
The part A A (being the smaller part of what I may call the double sheet) is
creased or marked as indicated by the chain line B2, and is adapted to be folded on
to the part B B in which position the card is shown at Figure 8, the crease or mark,
indicated by the chain line A' of the smaller part A. A¹, then coincides with the
fold indicated by the chain line B³, upon which line the card is again folded,
whereby the smaller part A A' becomes enclosed within the folded part B B', the
flap C is then folded on the line C¹ and the letter card assumes the form shown at
Figure 9.
The large part B B' and flap Care perforated a small distance from the margins
at the top and bottom as at D 1), and the flap C is also perforated on line E, the
perforated margins being coated with mucilage as indicated at F, Figure 7; the
said margins at F, being rendered adhesive before the card is folded into the form
shown at Fig. 9. When folded, the triangular flap C gives to the card an
attractive and finished appearance, is admirably adapted to receive a crest or
monogram or the like, in an effective manner, while it presents facilities for opening
the cards, as well as security.
The card is opened by tearing off the lateral edge of the shorter triangular side
adjacent to the right angle, and the finger is then conveniently inserted as at
Figure 9, to sever the flap on the line of perforations E, and the other opposite
edge being torn away, also on the line of perforations, the card is opened. It is
thus obvious that the flap cannot be opened without tearing away the edge at the
perforations.
For mourning purposes, the marginal edges are blackened as illustrated by
Figure 10.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that I am
aware it has been previously proposed to combine a letter card and reply letter
card for postal purposes composed of two complete letter cards, the reply portion
being smaller than the other part, neither is it broadly new to apply to such cards
a flap, 1 therefore do not claim broadly any such arrangement or arrangements, but
what I claim is as follows:-
1. In a letter card formed from one piece of material, the combination of the
part B B', a lateral extension A A' from one side of part B B' of nearly equal
length, but of less width, a lateral extension C, from the other side of part BB',
to form a flap when folded, horizontal continuous lines of perforations near upper
and lower edges of parts B B, and C, and perforations near outer edge of flap C
as set forth.
2. In a letter card formed from one piece of material, the combination with the
part B B adapted to be folded centrally, a lateral extension A A' from one side
thereof of about equal length, but less in width than the part B B', and adapted
to be folded on to the said part B B³, to be enclosed therein when the latter is

page_text: folded, of a triangular part C extending laterally from the part B, B', opposite to
part A A¹ to form a flap when the card is folded, perforated lines D D', near the
upper and lower edges of part B B' left uncovered by the folded part A A', and
perforated lines around the outer edges of the triangular flap C as set forth.
3. In a letter card formed from one piece of material the combination with a
part A A', of a lateral extension B B', having upper and lower marginal extensions
and a triangular flap C, extending from the opposite side of part B B', and having
the same marginal extension as the latter part, perforated lines D D¹ and E, near
the marginal edges of parts B B', and C, and gummed adhesive parts F on the
said margins by which the card is securely closed when folded as set forth.
Dated this 15th day of July 1895.
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for Applicant.
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for Applicant.