IMPROVEMENTS IN STATIONERY TO ENABLE PERSONS TO ASCERTAIN THE POSTAGE TO BE PAID UPON ANY LETTER WITHOUT WEIGHING THE SAME.
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Goorgo Andrew Robinson of Manchester in the County
of Lancaster. for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STATIONERY TO ENABLE
PERSONS TO ASCERTAIN THE POSTAGE TO BE PAID UPON ANY LETTER WITHOUT
WEIGHING THE SAME.' Communicated to him from abroad by Robert Edwin
Ogilby of Los Angeles, California in the United States of America.
33
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Andrew Robinson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patonts on the 3rd November 1883.
GEORGE ANDREW ROBINSON of Manchoster in the County of Lancaster
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STATIONERY TO ENABLE PERSONS TO ASCERTAIN THE POSTAGE
TO BE PAID UPON ANY LETTER WITHOUT WEIGHING THE SAME.' (a Communication
to me from abroad by Robert Edwin Ogilby of Los Angeles, California in the
United States of America).
This invention relates to paper used in transmitting messages or other
correspondenco or written matter through the post, and consists principally in
printing or stamping upon such paper a device or symbol indicating as hereinafter
described the amount of postage required to be paid thereon.
The object of the invention is to enable one to determine the amount of postago
required to be paid upon any letter without weighing it.
In carrying out this invention the paper used by correspondence is classified
according to its size and style, and each class is designated by a latter.
For example note paper is classed as A, letter paper as B, foolscap paper as C,
and so on.
The paper is also graded according to its different varieties and styles in each
class, with envelopes to match and marked in the same manner and a figure is
placed opposite to the class letter to designate the grade.
The paper is carefully weighed so as to determine the number of sheets which
will be carried by a single rate of postago when placed in an envelope of the same
grade.

page_text: A device is then printed or stamped upon each sheet containing side by side the
letter and the figure denoting the class and grade of the paper and below these
another figuro denoting the number of sheets than can be carried in one envelope
for a single rate of postage.
The same device is also printed upon the corresponding envelopes to identify
thom with their respective papers. In stamping the paper allowance is to be made
for the weight of the envelope to accompany the letter.
Thus it will be evident that this invention effects a very useful improvement in
stationary employed in correspondence, by indicating at a glance (and without any
necessity for weighing it) the amount of postago which has to be paid upon each
particular letter.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Andrew Robinson in the Patent Office on the 3rd May
1884.
GEORGE ANDREW ROBINSON of Manchester in the County of Lancaster
IMPROVEMENTS IN STATIONERY, TO ENABLE PERSONS TO ASCERTAIN THE POSTAGE
TO BE PAID UPON ANY LETTER WITHOUT WEIGHING THE SAME (a Communication
to me from abroad by Robert Edwin Ogilby of Los Angeles, California in the
United States of America)
This invention relates to paper and envelopes used in transmitting messages or
other correspondence or written matter through the post, and consists principally
in printing or stamping upon such paper a device or symbol indicating as herein-
after described the amount of postage required to be paid thereon; or the device
instead of being printed or stamped may be indicated by a watermark on the
paper.
The object of the invention is to enable one to determine the amount of postage
required to be paid upon any letter without weighing it. In carrying out this
invention the paper used by correspondents is classified according to its size and
style, and each class is designated by a letter. For example note paper is classed
as A. letter paper as B, foolscap paper as C, and so on. The paper is also graded
according to its different varieties and styles, in each class, with envelopes to match
and marked in the same manner and a figure is placed opposite to the class letter to
designate the grade. The paper is carefully weighed so as to determine the number
of sheets which will be carried by a single rate of postage when placed in an
envelope of the same grade,
A device is then printed or stamped upon each sheet containing side by side the
letter and the figure denoting the class and grade of the paper and below these
another figure denoting the number of sheets that can be carried in one envelope
for a single rate of postage.
The same device is also printed upon the corresponding envelopes to identify
them with their respective papers. In stamping the paper allowance is to be made
for the weight of the envelope to accompany the letter.
Thus it will be evident that this invention effects a very useful improvement in
stationery employed in correspondence, by indicating at a glance (and without any
necessity for weighing it) the amount of postage which has to be paid upon cach
particular letter,
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said invention I wish it to be understood that I claim as the invention commu-
nicated to mo by the said Robert Edwin Ogilby the printing, stamping, or
indicating by means of a watermark, upon paper or envelopes or both of a device
or symbol (or devices or symbols) substantially as herein before described whereby
a person is able to ascertain at a glance (and without the necessity for weighing
it) the amount of postage which has to be paid upon cach letter or packet.
In witness whereof I the said George Andrew Robinson have hereunto set my
hand and seal this first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred eighty four