A TYPOGRAPHICAL NUMBERING APPARATUS
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to. Charles Fréderic Vasserot, of 45, Essex Street,
Strand, London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "A TYPOGRAPHICAL
NUMBERING APPARATUS."-A communicatión from Auguste Trouillet,
Sealed the 17th November 1857, and dated the 19th May 1857,
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Charles Fréderic Vasserot
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his, Petition and
Declaration, on the 19th May 1857, pursuant to the. 9th. section of the
Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
I, CHARLES FREDERIC VASSEROT, of 45, Essex Street, Strand, London,
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"A TYPOGRAPHICAL NUMBERING APPARATUS," a communication from Auguste
Trouillet, Esq, of No. 10, Rue des Lavandières Ste Opportune, Paris
(France), to be as follows:-
This apparatus' may be worked either by hand or with the press, for
numbering with figures, or for putting control stamps by means of vignettes; or
it may be employed concurrently with a text or a fixed stamp, and have, even
with this combination, the several applications above named. I shall describe
successively those several mechanisms; their applications, and their accessories.
[Price 8d.1

page_text: This apparatus is specially adapted to numbering. It allows of any number
being printed, since it depends only upon the number of engraved circles of
the stamp. For instance, a stamp having 3 engraved circles may number
to 999, one having 4 circles to 9999, and so on, according to the number of
cicles. The mechanism is composed as follows:-
1stly, of a fixed axis or shaft of steel (Fig. 1) to support the circles, and
on which they revolve.
2ndly, of a certain number of brass or other metallic circles having engraved
in the wrong way on their circumference the figures 0 to 9. The number
of those circles is determined by the extent desired to be numbered. Each
circle has a hole in the centre (Fig. 2), through which passes the said shaft or
axis, and another small hole made about half the distance between the centre
and the periphery to receive a piston. In all the circles this small hole must
be perfectly concentric with the one through which the axis passes. This
piston hole has two diameters on one side of the circle; it is enlarged so as to
receive a spiral spring surrounding the piston, and on the other side it has but
the necessary diameter for the passage of the single piston. Thus, owing to
this double diameter a kind of collar is managed, on which the spiral spring
bears. This piston hole must be placed on a line passing through the centre of
the circle and the centre of Figure 4, which is chosen for the only reason that it
is directly opposite the Figure 9; and as the change takes place at that Figure
when it reaches the printing line, it is at the opposite point, Figure 4, that the
piston must correspond when set to motion by the inclined part of the catch
wheel, hereafter desired. The circumference of the engraved circles is
determined by the height of the figures, between which it is only necessary
to leave a space equivalent to half the height of the figures.
3rdly, of a steel circle acting as a ratchet wheel, Fig. 3, having ten regular
teeth. It has the same size hole in the centre as the engraved circles, and
likewise another small hole for the passage of the piston. Those two holes
are exactly concentric with those of the engraved circle. This said cog wheel,
Fig. 3, is fixed on the side of the first engraved circle (the units' circle)
by means of two rivets (Fig. 3*).
4thly, of steel wheels (Fig. 4) having round and regular teeth. These
wheels have a hole in the centre for the passage of the sh..ft or axis, and ten
smaller holes perfectly concentric with the one in the centre. In these wheels,
as well as in the cog wheel, the hole in the centre and each of the small piston
holes must be perfectly concentric with the centre hole of the engraved circle.

page_text: The said steel wheels are fixed by means of two rivets on the side of all the
engraved circles, except the units' circle (Fig. 12).
5thly, of an inclined catch (Fig. 5), mounted upon the axis, like the circles
and gearing into the teeth of the cog wheel placed on the side of the first
engraved circle. This catch has underneath a spring, so as to force its
gearing; it has also a lever ended by a button outside the case serving to
give the movement.
6thly, of springs (Fig. 6) screwed on one of the sides of the case bearing.
against the steel wheels. These springs serve to keep all the figures in a line
with each other.
7thly, of moveable piston having spiral springs (Fig. 7) which are lodged
in the total thickness of each engraved circle and steel cog wheel rivetted to
them. The head of the piston placed in the first circle or units' circle
beyond the cog wheel, rivetted to it, of a sufficient length for coming against
the inclination of the catch (Fig. 5).
passes
For working the numbering apparatus it is only necessary to give a to-and-fro
movement to the button at the end of the lever, which button is placed outside-
the case. This movement causes the catch to gear into one of the teeth of
the first toothed wheel, drawing with it the first engraved circle one-tenth of
its circumference, that is to say, one figure. This movement is repeated till
the figure 9, where the inclination of the catch meeting the piston of the first
circle, forces it to enter into one of the holes of the steel wheel fixed on the
side of the second circle, and draws with it the said second circle one-tenth
part of its circumference, or one figure. The two circles having moved to-
gether shall give the number 10. This movement made, the piston, owing
to the said spiral spring, moves back and frees itself from the said steel wheel;
the first circle begins again its course, till the figure 9 coming anew, that is io
say, at the number 19, the catch being again opposite the piston forces it to
enter again into one of the holes of the second circle, and both circles having
moved together the number 20 is produced, and so on, till the number 99,
where the piston of the first circle being opposite the one of the second circle,
the catch will force them to enter into one of the holes of the third circle.
The three circles having moved together will give the number 100. The
pistous coming back will remain free, and the first circle shall continue to
revolve until the number 109, when it will draw one figure of the second

page_text: circle with it, giving in that manner the number 110, and so on, until the
number 999, when the pistons of the three first circles being opposite to each
other will enter into one of the holes of the fourth circle, and the four circles
having moved together shall give the number 1000, and so on for the more
considerable numbers.
SEVERAL KINDS OF NUMBERING.
For numbering by two and two, which may be applied to even or odd
numbers, I place instead of the first engraved circle, having the natural set
of numbers (in which there is but one piston, the head of which projects
beyond the cog wheel), another circle, having engraved thereon exclusively
the even or odd numbers, so that each is repeated twice on the compass of
the circle; and in this circle are adapted at the extremity of a similar
diameter two pistons, to which the catch communicates the ordinary motion
(Fig. 3b), so that at every five figures the first circle operates the second
(that of the tens), the working of it not varying.
FOR NUMBERING BY FIVE AND FIVE.
I put instead of the first engraved circle, having the natural set of figures
(in which there is but one piston, the head of which projects beyond the cog
wheel), another circle, having engraved thereon the figures 5 & 0, or 1 & 6,
each one repeated 5 times; and in this circle are adapted 5 pistons, equi-
distant to which the catch communicates the movement in the ordinary way
(Fig. 3c), so that for every two figures this first circle moves the second
(that of the tens), the working of which does not vary.
FOR NUMBERING BY TEN AND TEN.
1 fix to the first circle of ten figures another circle, having exclusively the .
The two circles moving together produce a natural series of tens instead of a
- natural series of units, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, &c. instead of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &c.
FOR NUMBERING BY HUNDRED AND HUNDRED.
I add two circles, having exclusively the 0 to the circle of units. The
three circles moving together give a natural series of hundreds instead of a
natural series of units, 100, 200, 300, &c. instead of 1, 2, 3, &c.
MOMENTARY DISAPPEARANCE OF THE NON-EXPRESSIVE CIPHERS.
It would be impossible with the numbering apparatus above described to
number one or several orders of units without preceding them with the ciphers
representing the several orders of superior units. So as to avoid this serious

page_text: inconvenience Imake the ciphers moveable in four different manners,according
as required, viz. :-
I. Instead of fixed ciphers I employ moveable ones, which I screw or
unscrew alternately in order.
II. I lower successively the numbering circles by means of a shaft or axis of
a length nearly double the total length of the apparatus. This shaft is dimi-
nished in size at about the half of its length by means of a slight inclination,
the length of which is equal to the thickness of a numbering circle (Fig. 9).
In order that this diminution of diameter might not alter the maximum
radius, the thinnest part of the axis forms an ogive cut (Fig. 10), while the
largest part is perfectly cylindrical. The thin part is placed outside the case,
and on the opposite side of the catch. Underneath the shaft and out of the
case is placed a small rule in the shape of a dovetail (Fig. 11), the length of
which is equal to the length of the thinnest part of the shaft. This small
rule is ended by a hook (Fig. 12), which has for its object to prevent the
figures which it lays hold of to ascend to the level of the expressive printing
figures. This rule is connected with the shaft by means of a small steel rod
or guide, fixed to the end of the shaft and to the end of the rule by means of
screws, so as to make the said shaft and rule work conjointly. Around the
part of the shaft or axis outside the case is placed a spiral spring, for the
purpose of keeping successively the shaft and the rule outside the apparatus.
The engraved circles and the steel wheels receive for this transformation the
following changes :-
1st, the hole of the steel wheel, which corresponds to the figure 5 of the
engraved circle, is notched towards the centre, so that the piston can enter
into the said hole notwithstanding the displacement of the centre of the
engraved circle (Fig. 13).
2nd, in the spaces between the figures 4 and 5 of the engraved circle the
angle of the edge opposite the steel wheel is grooved, so as to allow the
passage of the hook at the end of the rule.
For lowering
I shall now describe the working of the mechanism.
successively one or several engraved circles it suffices to push the part of
the shaft outside the case, so as to make it project on the side of the
catch of a length equal to the thickness of the circles desired to be
lowered. The shaft shall present its thinnest part to the centre of the.
circles, which will then descend equal to the difference existing between
the two diameters of the shaft. The hooked rule working with the shaft,
as it was said before, slides between the figures 4 and 5, and hooks

page_text: successively the circle to be lowered and prevents its ascending. The
movement is operated in the same manner as in the before-described appa-
ratus. Reaching the figure 9 of the units' circle, the piston being under the
catch enters into the hole of the steel wheel corresponding to the figure 5,
which division, as it was said before, is notched, so as to let it pass the piston.
The said piston giving to the circle a rotatory motion, forces it to unhook
itself. In this movement the shaft, by the action of the before-mentioned
spring, moves the thickness of one circle, and causes it to ascend (by the
inclination of the shaft) to the level of the units' circle, which produces
the tens.
III. For operating in another manner the lowering of the ciphers, I adjust
in the centre hole of the numbering circles an eccentric circle, which acts
freely in the hole (Fig. 14). In the centre of the eccentric I bore a conical
hole. The position of the eccentric is modified by that of two arms soldered
on its sides; these arms are springs, very thin, projecting beyond the circum-
ference of the numbering 'circle, so that they can be worked either by hand
or by mechanism. Two barrels (Fig. 15), placed on the sides of the case in
the direction of the thickness of the circles, keep the arms of the eccentric.
These barrels, which are parallel, are connected together by a cross bar bearing
upon one of the sides of the case, and are kept down by means of a screw
(Fig: 15), which acts as a bolt.
From the successive displacement of one of those arms results the lowering
or the ascending of one of the numbering circles, and by that means is
obtained the necessary difference of level for allowing the circles to mark
independently of the others, also by that means I obtain the numbering of
one or several orders of inferior units without it being necessary to represent
the superior orders by ciphers. In this case, instead of a round shaft or axis,
as in the other apparatus, I make use of one of a conical form (Fig. 17),
which corresponds to the hole of the same shape made in the centre of the
eccentrics, so as to rule their position.
IV. 1 can also lower the numbering circles by adjusting inside them a
mechanism composed as follows:-
1st, of a steel piece, Fig. 18, one part of which forms a ring and the other
a spring. This piece is furnished with a projection A, destined to catch the
piece hereafter described.
2nd, of a spring, Fig. 19, having also on one of its extremities a projection
C, forming a piston destined to release the circle. Fig. 20 is a section of the
said spring. Those pieces are fixed to the circles by means of rivets.

page_text: The circles receive for this transformation the following changes :-
1stly, the centre hole is notched so as to allow the circle to be lowered on
the shaft underneath the level of the printing figures.
2ndly, the circles are hollowed inside so as to receive the mechanism,
Fig. 21.
For lowering successively one or several circles it suffices to place them all
to the Figure 9 except the units' circle, which is put at O, and by pressing on
the circles the piece, Fig. 18, bends on itself, and as it springs the projection
A (Fig. 18) catches the projection B (Fig. 19) and prevents the circle to
ascend. This lowering of the non-expressive circles being obtained, the work
of the apparatus is identical to those before described. At the instant the
units' circle prints the Figure 9 the piston of this circle placed in the axis of
Figure 4 meets the part C of Fig. 19, which also forms a piston, and is
placed exactly in the radius of Figure 5, which is opposite the 0. The piston
pressing on the Fig. 19 releases the piece Fig. 18, and the circle ascends to
the level of the units' circle, and so on for the others.
VIGNETTES STAMPING APPARATUS.
This apparatus, the mechanism of which is similar to the numbering
apparatus, differs from the same only in that the circles, instead of being
engraved with figures, are furnished with 10 vignettes entirely distinct one of.
the other, which may be placed together and form a current viguette, so as
to preserve constantly the appearance of a current drawing or design. I
leave to the circles their constant level, and for this object I do not employ
any diminished shaft or eccentric. In this instance the disappearance of the
vignette representing the cipher is useless; it is even preferable to let it
remain.
STAMPING APPARATUS WITH FREE CHANGES.
Decimal System.-Without abandoning the decimal system, I can add to
the figures and vignettes, or substitute to them in part or totality,-
1st, signs of punctuation or letters, so that the uniting of a certain number
of circles forms punctuated or unpunctuated words, the number of them
varying according to the number of circles made use of.
2nd, words the successive juxtaposition of which will form combinations
which may be useful in certain cases.
3rd, signs, drawings, figures, or any stamp whatever which may represent
by their successive combination according to the number of significant circles
as many different series of sigus as there are units in a number of figures.

page_text: Instead of engraving on the circles the figures or vignettes, I can use one
or the other of the 5 different means hereafter described.
: Ist. Cast Circles.-Those circles are obtained by means of a mould, similar
'to those employed for casting musket balls, with the difference that it is
composed of ten parts instead of two.
2°. Circles with Moneable Figures.--I substitute also in part or totality to
the figures, vignettes, or signs engraved on the circles, figures, or signs
'screwed on the edges of the said circles:
30. Stamped Circles:--I can also obtain circles having on their edges the
figures, vignettes, words, or any sign whatever,
1rstly, by placing a smooth circle into a matrice having ten dies engraved
on the side towards the centre, conical in the line of their length, and open
at the top, as the 3-sided dies which have been in use in the Mint of Paris
for coining the five-francs pieces of silver. Those ten dies are united by
means of an exterior collar, which is lowered or raised at will in reason of
the conical form of the dies. The matrice is adjusted under a coining press
or stamp, similar to those used at the Mint. Not only the weight resulting
of the stamp stroke of this rammer effects the forcing of the brass, bronze,
silver, or any other metal of which I make the circles, to penetrate in the
engraving of the matrice, so as to present in relievo upon the edge of the
circle the figures, vignettes, or signs desired to be had, but this relievo may
yet be obtained more projecting by adjusting at the end of the rod of the
stamp a small projecting' head nearly of the size of the centre hole of
the circle. This projection by penetrating into the metal forces it into the
engraving of the dies more strongly than the pressure of the rod could do.
2ndly, it is also possible to obtain the engraved circles with a double
matrice, separated at will in the centre of the figures in the direction of their
length. This matrice is adjusted into a pince, similar to those used to seal
with the Custom House stamp.
4° Milled Circles.-I can obtain circles having on their edges the figures,
vignettes, words, or signs whatever, by means of a tempered steel milling
wheel; upon the edge of which are in intaglio the figures, vignettes, or signs

page_text: whatsoever. The milling matrice is moveable on a fixed axis, the two ends of
which are adjusted to a handle, by means of which I keep the axis im-
moveable. I press with strength the milling tool against the edge of the
smooth circle to be milled; this circle is mounted on a lathe spindle, and in
its circular motion the smooth circle draws the milling tool adhering to it. I
augment successively the cohesion by pressing on the milling tool, and the
metal of the circle to be milled being softer than that of the matrice, enters
into the cavities of the tool; I discontinue the pressure when the circle
represents in relievo the figures or signs intaglio in the matrice.
5tly, Circles and Cylinders with Galvanic Rings or Envelopes. - Instead of
engraving on the circles the figures or vignettes, I can also make use of a
band of copper bearing the figures or vignettes, and by soldering the two
ends I obtain a ring, which I solder or rivet on the circles. I make
those bands by the process of galvanic stereotyping; it is formed of the
thickness of the copper deposited in the operation. Upon the impression
of which I wish to have the relievo I employ in certain cases the ordinary
stereotyping in lead; the band is then of ordinary printing metal.
CYLINDRICAL PRINTING.
The process described above is applicable to the galvanic stereotyping of
cylinders, similar to those used for printing textile fabrics. Thus the
typographical printing on a plane could be done by means of cylinders,
which would greatly increase the number of proofs of one type in a given
time. With the same printing press several copies could be obtained
showing the same or different colours, and even the colours could be varied
in the different parts of a same model, for there is no other limit with regard
to colours and number of proofs than the number of printing cylinders.
A small number of cylinders, corresponding exactly to the sizes used in
typography, could be used undeterminately to work off proofs of several
models, owing to the same cylinder being easily and indefinitively coverable
with any number of typographical impresses.
NUMBERING APPARATUS WITH A FIXED TEXT OR STAMP.
This apparatus differs from the others by being furnished with a fixed text
or drawing engraved on a plate, in which it is enclosed (Fig. 24). so that the
fixed text or drawing be printed at the same time as the moveable figures or
vignettes of the circles. Its sides are closed by means of two fixed plates.

page_text: It may be employed for numbering deeds bearing few figures only for
marking the pages, the linen, &c.
VIGNETTES STAMP WORKED BY HAND.
They may serve to make counter marks for theatres or otherwise, and for
making any kind of control mark.
NUMBERING APPARATUS & VIGNETTES STAMPS ADAPTED TO A SPECIAL PRESS.
I adapt an apparatus for numbering or printing vignettes with or without
fixed text or drawing at the end of the piston of a stamp press, which I have
established specially for this effect. This press is shown at (Fig. 25), in which
B represents the body of the press; C, a piston, sliding in the hollow cylinder
P; D, a bent lever, pivoting on a pin between the two ears of the body of the
press B; E represents a lever placed on both sides of the press. It is destined
to give the impulse to the small guide K, placed also on both sides of the
press. The bent lever D and the levers E are bound together; they are
united by means of a bolt Q, upon which they are forelocked. L represents a
small inkstand, in the shape of a cylindrical roller, having a small toothed
wheel on one of its ends; M is a horizontal plate, under which passes the
inked roller I. The inside surface S, T, of this plate is exactly of the same
level with the inside surface U, V, of the seal H, which may be a stamp, a
numbering apparatus, or otherwise, so that the points S, T, U, V, are always
in a straight line. N is another small plate or table, having for its object to
keep the paper out of the ink; O is a spring, fixed on the side of both levers
E; it serves to give the counterbalance to the small guides K. P is a hollow
cylinder, closed at both ends by means of a brass plate, in which works the
piston C; this cylinder is furnished with a spiral spring, which forces the
piston C to ascend as soon as the pressure on the lever D has ceased. R
is the plate or stand of the press; G is a thumbscrew, against which presses
the heel F of the lever D; it is destined to regulate the course of the lever D,
so that in the inking operation the feeding roller does not go beyond
the seal H, the size of which varying, necessitates the regulation of the
course of the lever D. A is the handle of the lever of the press.
The working of the press is as follows :--By raising the lever D by means
of the handle A the guides K are forced forward by the action of the 2
levers E. Those two guides move forward the roller I untill it reaches the
end of the internal surface of the seal H. This roller I is prevented from

page_text: going beyond the seal by the proper regulation of the thumbscrew G, against
which bears the heel F of the lever D. By lowering the lever D this lever
forces the piston C to descend in the cylinder P, and when this piston C
causes the lower surface of the seal H to press upon the paper placed upon
the cushion X, the roller I at the same time has left the seal and returned
backwards by rolling upon the table M, upon which it takes the ink by means
of another small feeding roller J. This roller J is tangent to the roller I;
and moveable on its axis, so that the roller L causes it to turn and supply
it with ink by turning on itself in its course on the table M: The ink is
taken by the roller J on the inkstand roller L, which is caused also to renew
its ink by turning a tenth of its circumference by the action of a small catch
Z, fastened, on the left guide K. Each time this guide returns backwards
by the lowering of the lever D it brings the catch Z in contact with one of
the teeth of the toothed wheel of the inkstand L. This cylinder therefore
turns. in the ink of which it is surrounded, and by that means the feeding
roller is regularly supplied with ink.
NUMBERING APPARATUS APPLIED TO ORDINARY PRINTING.
One of the many obstacles which have prevented till now the employment
of those apparatuses for printing is the disproportionate dimensions of the
said apparatus with that of the print to be numbered. My apparatus, on the
contrary, may have a minimum dimension, which allows it to be employed
in every case, and principally for the numbering of shares, bank notes, lottery
tickets, &c. United into a typographic frame those apparatus may work as
ordinary typographic types. A pretty considerable number of them may be
united together in an iron frame, supported one upon the other, and separated
in the usual manner (Figs. 26, 27, & 28). The triggers of all the apparatus
of the same range are bound together by the same rod of one piece, or divided
in several parts in its length. Each rod is connected at its two ends to a
setting rule, and for pulling the triggers of all the the apparatus I draw the
lower setting rule. On the upper setting rule are spiral springs around the
rods outside the iron frame; those springs yield to the pulling, and bring
back the catches or triggers in their place when the change of figures has
been made. A self-acting tractive movement on side pressure may be obtained
by the movement of one of the parts of the press or printing inachine, or
by the movement of the form or frame on the press. Such a frame of
numbering apparatus may be placed indistinctively on all kinds of printing
presses now in use, for the ordinary typographic printing. It requires but
few accessories, it being sufficient to bore the rods or iron frame with small

page_text: 3dly, the several modifications ofthesaid numbering apparatus for obtaining
the momentary disappearance of the ciphers.
4thly, a vignette stamping apparatus.
5thly, the modification of this apparatus applied to the impression with
changes, which may consist of letters, words, or any signs whatsoever.
6thly, six different processes for obtaining a milled, circle, presenting in
relievo on its edge any number of figures, letters, vignettes, or signs what-
soever, all equidistant.
7thly, the application of one of those six different processes, consisting of a
galvanic ribbon, for forming galvanic envelopes, destined to cover cylinders
which may be employed for the ordinary typographic impression.
8thly, the application of the said cylinder covered with a galvanic envelope
to cylindrical printing.
9thly, the addition of a fixed text or stamp to the moveable apparatus for
numbering or stamping vignettes.
10thly, the employment of the apparatus worked by hand.
11thly, its mechanical use by means of a stamping press specially combined
for this object.
12thly, the application of my moveable apparatus with figures, letters, words,
or any signs whatsoever, to the typographic impression on the presses, usually
employed with or without addition of text or vignettes; the said application
being principally useful for numbering shares, bank notes, tickets, &c. &c.,
and for the impression of guarantee marks of any kind resulting from the
employment of the vignettes stamping apparatus.
13thly, the employment of my numbering apparatus as a means of control
and of guarantee.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Fréderic Vasserot, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
CHS FREDO VASSEROT. (L.S.)