Postal Related Patents

During my research on various postal history subject I occasionally come across some interesting patents. As I come across them I will post a few of the better one here.
I will start it off with a hand canceling machine patented in 1878. The claim was that it would reduce the number of employees needed as one employee could sort and cancel stamps at the same time.

From 1870 a full envelope cancel.

From 1876 a mechanical cancel device that abrades away the surface of the stamp and perhaps the envelope, letter, desk ...

My particular interest are Window Envelopes.

If anyone wants to sell one stamped before
1926 (my current record [czech]) I would be interested.

The patent of 1902

Fantastic info guys! these patents are amazing.

That is fascinating! I especially enjoy the full envelope cancel.

I'm certainly glad that the last one (the one with the handle and teeth on it) didn't go into use!

Russ wrote




The patents shown so far are classified in the following US classes:

US 109,302: 101/371 (Mail-cancelling stamps), 101/401 (Printing members' surfaces)

US 180,501: 407/29.15 (Handle or holder for file or rasp)

US 200,389: 101/333 (Pad inker for printing members and inkers)

US 701,839: 229/71 (Envelopes with display), 283/116 (Envelope), 493/222 (Means to permit visual inspection of content (e.g., window, etc.) of pliable container)


You can search the US patent office data base for documents classified in these classes, go to http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-adv.htm, enter search query like follows: CCL/407/29.15

Klaus

You got my curiosity Rod. I had to start digging through piles but I knew I had a couple of earlier ones.

1908, with Chicago Telephone co. Perfin



Found another of the same but a year later, 1909

Thanks for posting those covers. It answer the question of who used the CT Co. perfin.

I'd also be curious on the first cover what the secondary postmark type is that's imprinted partially on the window portion of the envelope. I can't say that I recall seeing that type of machine cancel (with the month and year outside of the circle) so it's probably an unusual imprint, if not scarce.

Nice catch, did not notice the month outside of the postmark. I looked through similar covers in the same time frame but was unable to find another like it. But...I did find this one with a reversed PM on the rear which I thought was unique.

Rod, here are the 2 1914 Windowed covers I mentioned.

Chicago telephone co. with Perfin



The Fair Department store, Chicago with perfin - FAIR



Here is what the Fair used to look like



let me know which one you'd like and I'll send it to you.