Improvements in Stamps and Stamping for Fiscal and other Purposes.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd May, 1886.
Complete Left, 19th Feb., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 22nd Mar., 1887.
Improvements in Stamps and Stamping for Fiscal and other
Purposes.
I, WILLIAM COLLETT HOMERSHAM, of 4, Union Road, Tufnell Park, London, in
the County of Middlesex, Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
The said improvements consist in the use of figures, letters, or other symbols, for
the purpose of identification (1st) on sheets of labels and (2nd) in conjunction with
embossing machines.
In taking large stocks of labels considerable trouble is entailed, as the whole of each
stock has to be examined in detail; and, when stocktakings are not simultaneous and
exhaustive, stamps may be lent by one custodian to another, or be in other ways dupli-
cated in the total credit. I propose to number and register each sheet of labels in such
a manner that its progress and ultimate disposal may at any time be ascertained, so
that occasional check examinations, as well as regular periodical stock takings may be
made by verifying the registered whereabouts of any particular sheet of sheets of
labels.
Embossed stamps are impressed by means of steel dies by stamping machines, and
uncoloured but otherwise identical embossments may be obtained from genuine stamps
by electrotyping and other devices. To some of these machines counters are attached,
which register the number of blows struck by the die when more than one sheet of
paper is placed under the die, each sheet is embossed, but only the top sheet has a
coloured embossment. As a precaution against the colouring and fraudulent issue of
these duplicate embossments I have suggested the use of adhesive escutcheons, so
affixed as to come partly under the die, that is in such a manner that the escutcheon,
if removed and affixed to another document would not impart thereto the appearance
of being validly stamped. I now propose that each of these escutcheons should bear a
distinctive mark or number for the purpose of identification or that in lieu of the use
of these escutcheons, the stamping press should be modified by the incorporation in
place of the present counter of a numbering machine to print a separate series of
:

page_text: numbers, letters or other marks of identification, at the same time as, or immediately
prior to and partly across the embossment.
This invention may be applied to the combined stamp, consisting of an adhesive
label, denoting the value of the account, fees or duty paid, in conjunction with a
cancelling and completing embossment, showing the place and date of payment and
so arranged as to prevent fraudulent transfer and re-use of the label which combined
stamp was proposed by me some years since; and for that purpose I incorporate in the
embossing machine a printing counter for numbering or otherwise distinguishing each
successive impression, and keep an automatic record of the number of labels cancelled
each day by each machine by taking the first impression in a permanent register.
Dated this Twenty second day of May 1886.

page_text: I, WILLIAM COLLETT HOMERSHAM, now residing at 102, Shaftsbury Road, Crouch
Hill, in the County of Middlesex, Clerk, 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:-
The said improvements consist in the use of figures, letters or other symbols, for the
purpose of identification, (1st) on sheets of labels, and (2nd) in conjunction with
embossing machines, and (3rd) in connection with combined stamps, produced by
employing embossments in conjunction with escutcheons.
Marks of identification at present in use specify the plate or die from which the
impression is taken: but sheets of labels and stamps embossed on documents possess no
individual identity.
I propose (1st) to identify, by numbers or other symbols arranged in sequences, and
to register each sheet of labels: so that the stock may occasionally be tested by calling
for any particular sheet, and regular periodical stocktakings may be made with
accuracy and despatch. The numbers or other marks of identity are to be printed on
the margin of the sheet, by preference, in one of the lower corners.
be entered in a supplemental register.
:
Broken sheets to
I also propose (2nd.) to identify embossed stamps by using any suitable printing
numbering machine in conjunction with the stamping press and (3rd.) to identify
combined stamps by printing an embossment partly on an uncovered portion of the
surface of the paper, or parchment, and partly across an adhesive label, affixed thereon,
hereinafter referred to as an embryo or escutcheon. The said embryo or escutcheon
may denote the nature and amount of duty paid, and the embossment the date and
place of payment, either the embryo or the embossment, being” numbered; or, the
escutcheon may be numbered but otherwise similar to the cypher used at the back of
stamps on parchment and be utilised merely as a mark of individuality and aš a pre-
caution against counterfeit or duplicate embossments. The first or last embossmem
by each numbering machine each day to be imprinted in a permaneni. reference
register. The term embossment is intended in include any impression or printing
whether in relief or otherwise.
I am well acquainted with the obsolete Consular Fee Stamps, and Bonelli's and
other labels, on which. numerical figures have been employed for the purpose of
identifying particular receipts.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. The manufacture of sheets of labels provided with numbers, letters or
symbols, substantially as and for the purpose, hereinbefore described.
Secondly. In machines for producing embossed stamps, the arrangement in
connection therewith of a machine for printing numbers, letters or symbols, substan-
tially as, and for the purpose, hereinbefore described.
And thirdly. In combined stamps, providing the escutcheons or embossments with
numbers, letters or symbols, substantially as, and for the purpose, hereinbefore
described.
11
1007
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.