A NEW AND IMPROVED MODE OF SEPARATING POSTAGE AND OTHER STAMPS, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Ledger, Engineer and Patent Agent,,
of 61, Fleet Street, London, for the Invention of "A NEW AND
IMPROVED MODE OF SEPARATING POSTAGE AND OTHER STAMPS, AND IN
APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE."-A communication from
abroad by Adolphe Drevelle, of Paris, in the French Republic.
"
Sealed the 16th June 1876, and dated the 22nd December 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Ledger at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd December 1875.
I, JAMES LEDGER, Engineer and Patent Agent, of 61, Fleet Street,
London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A NEW
AND IMPROVED MODE OF SEPARATING POSTAGE AND OTHER STAMPS, AND IN
APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE," a communication from abroad
by Adolphe Drevelle, of Paris, in the French Republic, to be as
follows:
The object of this Invention is to render more practical and
expeditious the distribution and separation of postage or other stamns.

page_text: The manner by which it is proposed to attain the above object is to
divide the sheets of postage stamps into bands or strips, taking care
to reserve one of the margins, so as to unite all the bands together and
to fold them afterwards one over the other. Special flat pinces are
used to hold together the said folds, which are then placed in a flat
case, from which the stamps may be extracted one after the other.
When the row of stamps is exhausted the said pinces are taken from
the case, so as bring out the remainder of the stamps, which are then
folded again according to the quantity of stamps and the length of the
case:
The double apparatus for dividing the sheets of stamps into bands,
and then to separate each stamp, consists in a bed or table fluted cross-
wise in connection with two plates of metal divided into blades hinged
on the sides of the said bed or table; one of these plates is divided
lengthwise and the other crosswise.
The mode of operating by means of the apparatus above described is
as follows:-The sheet of stamps is placed on the table, the plate is
turned over so as to form the bands, and by means of a bladed roller
which fits into slots in the plates, or by a suitable knife, the bands are
easily divided. If it is desired to separate each stamp the first plate is
lifted up and the second plate turned over. In the slots of this is intro-
duced a cutting apparatus, which separates all the stamps from each
other at one operation.
The single apparatus consists in two sheets of metal divided into bands
and fitted with an hinged end, which can be made to rest on a table or
on a cast-iron plate fluted in the same direction as the grooves of the
two metallic plates which hold the sheet of stamps.
By using a frame furnished with blades, which fit exactly into the
fluting of the plate above described, the whole of the stamps may be
separated at one operation.
To facilitate the sale or distribution of strips or of separate stamps an
apparatus is used composed of single or double slides furnished with a
band holder, which is placed into a case the two sides of which are
turned over so as to form a slide, into which is introduced a claw.
This apparatus is used as follows:-When a sheet of stamps has
been cut into bands the said bands, are folded one over the other and

page_text: placed in a hinged and screwed claw, which holds the whole tight
together. The claw is then introduced in a case, which serves to
protect it; and when it is desired to take away stamps it is only
necessary to slide the claw by means of the screw and a series of
stamps will be pushed out, which can easily be detached by a small
hinged plate, which is turned down against the perforated part of the
stamp.
The end of the apparatus, is closed underneath by a small plate
hinged against a claw, which rises each time a band of stamps is
placed in it.
The said apparatus may be made double, that is to say, back to back,
or else in a cylindrical shape, in which case the bands of stamps are
rolled one over the other.
This Invention further consists in replacing the solid corners of the
stamps by a slot or opening, which may be easily made by a series of.
small cutters or punches added to the apparatus now in use for per-
forating stamps, and which will have the shape of a Maltese cross.
This improvement renders the operation of dividing stamps easier,
without fear of tearing them.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Ledger in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 22nd June 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
LEDGER, Engineer and Patent Agent, of 61, Fleet Street, London, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of December, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in
the thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said James Ledger, Her special
licence that I, the said James Ledger, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said James Ledger, my executors,
administrators, and assigns; should at any time agree with, and no

page_text: 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 "A NEW AND IM-
PROVED MODE OF SEPARATING POSTAGE AND OTHER STAMPS, AND IN APPARATUS TO
BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE," a communication from abroad by Adolphe
Drevelle, of Paris, in the French Republic, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said James Ledger, 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 Invention, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Ledger, 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
following statement:-
•
The object of this Invention is to render more practical and
expeditious the distribution and seperation of postage or other stamps,
and such like articles, so as to prevent them being lost or torn.
The manner by which it is proposed to attain the above object is to
divide the sheets of postage stamps into bands or stripes, taking care to
reserve one of the margins, so as to unite all the bands together and to
fold them afterward one over the other. Special flat pinces are used
to hold together the said folds, which are then placed in a flat case,
from which the stamps may be extracted one after the other. When
the row of stamps is exhausted the said pinces are taken from the
case, so as to bring out the remainder of the stamps, which are then
folded again according to the quantity of stamps and the length of the
case.
The double apparatus for dividing the sheets of stamps into bands,
and then to seperate each stamp, consists in a bed or table fluted cross-
wise in connexion with two plates of metal divided into blades binged
on the sides of the said bed or table; one of these plates is divided
lengthwise and the other crosswise.
The mode of operating by means of the apparatus above described is
as follows:-The sheet of stamps is placed on the table, the plate is

page_text: turned over so as to form the bands, and by means of a bladed roller,
which fits into slots in the plates, or by a suitable knife, the bands are
easily divided. If it is desired to seperate each stamp the first plate is
lifted up and the second plate turned over, in the slots of which is
introduced a cutting apparatus, which separates all the stamps from
each other at one operation.
The single apparatus consists in two sheets of metal divided into
bands and fitted with an hinged end, which can be made to rest on a
table or on a cast-iron plate fluted in the same direction as the grooves
of the two metallic plates which hold the sheet of stamps.
By using a frame furnished with blades which fit exactly into the
fluting of the plate above described the whole of the stamps may be
separated in one operation.
To facilitate the sale or distribution of strips or of separate stamps' an
apparatus is used composed of single or double slides furnished with a
band holder, which is placed into a case, the two sides of which are
turned over so as to form a slide, into which is introduced a claw.
This apparatus is used as follows:- -When a sheet of stamps has been
cut into bands the said bands are folded one over the other, and placed
in a hinged and screwed claw, which holds the whole together. The
claw is then introduced in a case, which serves to protect it, and
when it is desired to take away any stamps it is only necessary to slide
the claw by means of the screw, and a series of stamps will be pushed
out, which can easily be detached by a small hinged plate, which is
turned down against the perforated part of the stamp.
The end of the apparatus is closed underneath by small a plate
binged against a claw, which rises each time a band of stamps is placed
in it.
The said apparatus may be made double, that is to say, back to back,
or else in a cylindrical shape, in which case the bands of stamps are
rolled one over the other.
This Invention further consists in replacing the solid corners of the
stamps by a slot or opening, which may easily be made by a series of
small cutters or punches added to the apparatus now in use for per-
forating stamps, and which will have the shape of a Maltese cross. This

page_text: these Presents, and to the numbered figures and letters of reference
marked thereon respectively, as follows:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 are four stamps united, and showing the application of the
improvements introduced in the perforation of the stamp sheets. This
operation consists in replacing the solid parts which exist at each corner
by a slot or hollow, which can easily be produced by a special tool
introduced in conjunction with the punches used to stamp out the holes,
and so so as to produce a Maltese cross.
Figure 2 shows a double apparatus for separating stamps opened out.
This apparatus consists of a bed or table A in wood, leather, or metal
fluted crosswise, and of two metalic plates divided by blades mounted
on hinges on the side of the table A, one of which B is divided length-
wise, and the other C crosswise. The flutings do not extend to the
whole length of the plates, so as to allow the edges or bands round the
stamp sheets being cut away.
The manner of operating by means of the above described apparatus
is as follows:-The sheet of stamps is placed on the table A; the
plate B is brought on to it, and by means of the circular cutter shown
at Figure 6, or an ordinary knife of suitable shape fitting in the slots
of the plates, the stamps are easily separated into strips.
If it is desired to separate all the stamps from each other the plate B
is lifted up, and the second plate C is brought down between the slots,
of which a cutter similar to the one shown at Figure 6 is passed, which
separates the stamps.
Figure 3 is a side view of Figure 2 showing the apparatus closed,
and having a drawer a, in which fall the stamps after having been cut.
Figure 4 shows the ordinary apparatus opened to divide the sheets of
stamps only into strips. This apparatus consists of two metallic

page_text: Figure 23 is a slide box similar to the apparatus shown at Figure 7,
in which are introduced strips of stamps held by the spring claw,
Figure 25, which slides in the box; Figure 24 is a section of it.
Figures 26, 27, and 28 are different views of a double slide box in
which can be introduced four small pockets with springs which are.
placed in the slides of the box.
The last arrangements which I am about to describe are based on the
rolling of strips of stamps one over the other.
Figure 29 shows a cylindrical stamp holder; Figure 30 is the interior
of it, which consists of a half cylindrical part fitting in the cover shown.
at Figure 29. It contains also a small wood or metal cylinder mounted
on a spindle fixed at one end of the half cylindrical part and loose at
the other, which allows the cylinder filled with stamps to be fitted on
it. The stamps are unrolled from the cylinder when required.
Figure 31 is an outside view of the cylindrical stamp holder.
Figures 32 and 33 are detached views of a cylindrical stamp holder;
the cylindrical part of which opens by a hinged lid and contains the
strip of stamps rolled on itself or on a small hollow cylinder, inside of
which stamps may be kept. The two flat parts also open by means of
hinges, and serve to hold between them a stamp which is brought out in
order to be torn off between the two closed flat parts.
The Figures 34, 35, 36, and 37 are different views of a stamp holder.
Figure 34 shows the box opened; Figure 35, a side view of the same.
with the lids opened; Figure 36, a side view of the holder closed; and
Figure 37, top view, also closed. a is a part of the box; b, the lids
with projecting pieces 6' which serve to hold the lids down; c are the
hinges; d, the hinge which unites the two exterior part of the box;
e are two parts of the box turned over on which may be adapted a
suitable lock.
Figures 38, 39, 40, and 41 are views of a system of stamp holder
similar to those just described. Figure 38 shows the box opened;
Figure 39, a side view thereof; Figure 40, a side view of the box closed;
Figure 41, a top view of the box, also closed. a are the two exterior
parts of the box, which differs from the one just described by the sides
being dispensed with, which allows the stamps to be seen; the lids barė
.

page_text: hinged at c and fixed on a spindle rivetted on the side of the box; these
lids are moveable in a slot c¹ which allows them to be brought down on
the stamps in the compartment; d is the hinge which assembles the
two parts of the box; e is a part of the box turned over to adapt thereto
any suitable lock.
Figures 42, 43, 44, and 45 are views of another mode of constructing
stamp holding boxes. Figure 42 is an under side view; Figure 43, is an
end view showing double slides; Figure 44 shows an under side view of
the stamp holder out of the box; Figure 45, a side view. The stamp
holders are held in the slides by means of small springs x closed by a
metallic part in the interior of the slide.
Figures 46 and 47 are two under side and side views of a stamp
holder in which the stamps are rolled over themselves. It is made of
two pieces, joined together by means of a hinge which carries the lid b.
As there is no interior cylinder to carry the stamps they are rolled and
unrolled by imparting to the apparatus a rotating motion with the
fingers.
Figures 48 and 49 are two views of an arrangement of the stamp
holder. Four compartments are arranged in this box into which are
placed stamps of different value. They are fitted on a hinge c which
allows them to be extended. As in the stamp holder already described
the stamps are rolled in each compartment v fitted with a hinged
lid v'.
Figure 50 is another mode of constructing hinged stamp holders. It
consists of a plate shaped into a box and of two lids adapted at each
end thereof. This apparatus may be made into a double one.
Figures 51, 52, and 53 are views of slide stamp holders. Figure 51
shows the slide in which is placed the little box 53 divided in two com-
partments; and Figure 52 an end view of the slide.
Having now described the nature and object of this Invention for
"A New and Improved Mode of Separating Postage and other Stamps,
and in Apparatus to be Used for that Purpose," as communicated to
me by my foriegn correspondent, and the means whereby it may be
effected, I would remark in conclusion that I do not intend to limit or
confine myself to the precise details or form of apparatus before
described, but that I claim as my Invention and desire to secure by the

page_text: herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the new and improved
mode of seperating postage and other stamps, and the apparatuses to
be used for that purpose, substantially as described and represented.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Ledger, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.