E.L. Sibley Mfg Co Challenge Eyelet Press No 1

Tags

antique, bennington, edward, eyelet, fastener, press, sibley, tarrant, vermont, vt

Nowadays if you think of a device for fastening two or more pieces of paper together you are probably picturing a stapler.  But before the stapler came on the scene what did people use?  If you were a professional such as a lawyer, accountant, or a government worker you would likely use an eyelet press.

Consumer level eyelet presses were introduced in the 1850’s.  The reason for their popularity in the professions was that an eyelet was much more difficult to remove without also damaging the papers they held.  This provided a layer of security (important even then) ensuring that papers that were fastened together hadn’t been tampered with.

Edward L. Sibley was both a lawyer and a probate judge.  However, his true calling was as an inventor.  After about eight years as a judge in 1886 Mr. Sibley left the law profession to pursue his dream and he opened a tiny manufacturing concern that he named E.L. Sibley Manufacturing Company.  And his first, and longest lived, product was his passion the Challenge Eyelet Press. 

The Challenge Eyelet Press was manufactured using iron and tool steel.  It was designed to be fast, desk-sized, easy to use, and durable.  In all four areas the Challenge was a tremendous success.  The following is from a review of the Challenge and gives instructions on its use:

instructions from 1928 digest entry

It should be noted that the removal process was for the use of the special Challenge eyelets and may not work with other types of eyelets.

 

1912 office supply catalog illustration

As you can see from the above the Challenge enjoyed several advanced features that other presses didn’t have such as punching its own hole and being able to remove the eyelet after it had been fastened.  Another feature this had was its simple and elegant design with a minimum of moving parts.  It meant that coupled with the build quality and materials it almost never needed repair.

While Sibley starting making this eyelet press in 1886/7 the first known advertisement is from 1891.  The Challenge was still being made in 1971 although by that time it was not being advertised.  The trademark expired in 1987 showing that by this time the Challenge was no longer being made.  This is a manufacturing run of over one hundred years with little change being made to the design over that period – a true testament to Sibley’s genius.

1895 newspaper ad

The Challenge is known to have been released in two versions.  The first version, pictured above, weighs 4 pounds 13 ounces and measures 2.5 inches wide by 6 inches long by 12.5 inches in height.  It features gold painted designs on the sides, a gold painted shield on the front, and gold painted “plaques” on each side of the base.  You can date a first version by looking at the front shield.  If it states that it was registered in 1907 then you know it was made after that year.

The second version, pictured below, weighs 4 pounds 4.7 ounces and measures 2.5 inches wide by 5.75 inches long by 12.25 inches in height, making it slightly smaller and lighter than the first version.  It is japanned and features gold painted designs on the sides and a brass plaque on its right side.  This version was introduced on or around 1916.

Challenge Eyelet Press v2

1952 newspaper picture

1918 newspaper ad

1925 newspaper ad

Edward Sibley not only held the patent for the Challenge Eyelet press, but for the eyelets.  He also held at least five other patents for various other items including a stapler similar to the Eveready that was never produced.

E.L. Sibley Mfg Co not only produced the Challenge but also the KO Punch.  They also had other enterprises such as ochre mining and automobile engine remanufacturing amongst others.  During World War 2 they stopped making the Challenge but picked it up again after the war.  During the war they made parts for the war effort.  After the war E.L. Sibley Mfg Co also did subcontract work for jet engine parts.

E.L. Sibley remained a family concern through most of its history.  When Edward Sibley died his son Tarrant became President and when he died his son, Tarrant Sibley II, took over.

Patent and Other Information:

• Patent 358224 Riveting Machine (filed 03/16/1886, granted 02/22/1887)
• Patent 358225 Rivet (filed 10/29/1886, granted 02/22/1887)
• Patent 691012 Eyeleting Machine (filed 04/08/1901, granted 01/14/1902)

Notes:

1. S. Trademark No. 71499861. (1887/1907/1947). Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
2. S. Trademark No. 71213324. (1887/1925/1945). Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
3. Clarke & Courts, (1891, May), For Sale. The Galveston Daily News, page 5
4. F. Purnell, (1895, March), advertisement. The Daily Bee, page 3
5. Cameron, Amberg & Co Stationery Catalogue, (1908), Chicago, Illinois, page 62
6. Crane & Company Catalogue, (1912), Topeka, Kansas, page 44
7. Tribune Printing & Supply Co, (1918, September), advertisement. Great Falls Daily Tribune, page 4
8. Horder’s Inc, (1925, October), advertisement, Chicago Daily Tribune, page 14
9. Business Machines & Equipment Digest. Chicago, Illinois, Equipment Research Corporation, 1927
10. McClurg’s Catalog, (1935-1936), Chicago, Illinois, page 182
11. Editors, (1944, January), Sibley Plant Taken Over By Brandon Firm. The Bennington Evening Banner, pp 1, 5
12. William J. Burton, (1952, December), Dissatisfied Lawyer Was Founder of Machinery Plant Which Plans Programs of Growth, Expansion. The Evening Banner, page 7
13. Editors, (1971, June), North Bennington. Bennington Banner, page 8

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A.H. Irvin Co New Irvin Model 2L Stapling Machine

Tags

2L, antique, compo, hotchkiss, irvin, jahn, jones, machine, stapler, stapling, strip

If E.H. Hotchkiss can be considered the father of the modern stapler, then A.H. Irvin is the “uncle”.  The reason that the Star Automatic Fastener and later the Hotchkiss No 1 became so popular is directly due to the hard work of this formidable salesman.  He was involved with Jones Manufacturing by 1897 and afterwards the E.H. Hotchkiss company, the very beginnings of the strip stapler.  Not only was he instrumental in the success of E.H. Hotchkiss but he is also part of the success of the Compo stapler.  He was successful enough that Hotchkiss ended up acquiring Compo.  Many of the improvements to these various staplers was at his recommendation which made him instrumental in their overall development.

photo from 1902

Alex H. Irvin managed the distribution of these items through his company, the Alex H. Irvin Co.  But one of his lesser known endeavors is the release of his own line of branded stapling machines which included the New Irvin model 2L.

The model 2L was Irvin’s heavy-duty lever operated fastener and rated to staple up to 50 sheets of paper.  It uses strip staples (see below) which are formed from a single piece of metal.  This machine was made of nickel-plated pressed steel which made it both stronger and lighter than its main competition, the Hotchkiss No 2.  Another feature that differentiated the Irvin staplers was that they were put together using screws.  This may seem minor but most staplers were held together with rivets or pins.  This made them impossible to repair without specialized tools.  With the screws, anyone with a screwdriver could take their fastener apart and fix most minor issues themselves.  The 2L measures 10.44 inches long by 2.25 inches wide by 9.25 in height.  It weighs 2 pounds 7.5 ounces empty.

This was manufactured for A.H. Irvin Co by the B. Jahn Manufacturing Co.  Berthold Jahn is one of the inventors listed on the patents for this device and the patents were assigned to his company.  He is actually listed on all of the patents used for the stapling machines released by A.H. Irvin Co.

1921 magazine ad

The New Irvin 2L was released in early 1921 and is known to have been available at least until 1924.  While it is possible it was available after this time it likely wasn’t available much longer than 1924.  It’s a quality machine but it wasn’t heavily advertised and didn’t seem to gain much traction with stationers of the time.

1923 magazine ad

Irvin staple strip

 

Patent and Other Information:

• Patent 1387268 Staple Binder (filed 06/19/1919, granted 08/09/1921)
• Patent 1387269 Staple Binder (filed 03/19/1920, granted 08/09/1921)

Notes:

1. Editors, (1903, October), The Story of the Man Who Made the Star Stapler Famous. The Book-Keeper, pp 178-180
2. Alex H. Irvin Co, (1921, November), advertisement. Walden’s Stationer and Printer, page 45
3. Alex H. Irvin Co, (1923, May), advertisement, Office Appliances the News and Technical Trade Journal of Office Equipment, page 251
4. Editors, (1924, March 7), Appliances for Business Office. The Hollywood Daily Citizen, page 5

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McGill’s Single-Stroke Staple Press No. 1

Tags

antique, eagle, george mcgill, gw mcgill, holmes booth haydens, mcgill, press, single stroke, staple

It’s fascinating to read articles on the internet about the invention of the stapler.  There aren’t that many of them.  Within a short space of time, if you do this, you’ll see that these articles are mostly copying from each other and simply reworded to make it seem like it’s new information being passed-on.  But it isn’t.  The worst part of it is that much of the information out there is flat-out wrong.  A French king using a stapler? Really?  That’s as believable as Steve Jobs refusing to work with anything but a typewriter.

Staplers have a long history, but their beginnings were in construction, not in paperwork management – royal or otherwise.  The patent that the Novelty Paper Fastener was based on was for use in constructing fences, not fastening papers, for example.  However, before long it became apparent that staples would be a good and inexpensive way to permanently fasten papers together.

But even this idea came about more as part of a greater “technology/business war” than years of research and development.  If we go back to just the 1860’s and 1870’s you’ll see paper pinning machines, the introduction of McGill’s brass paper fasteners, and office eyelet machines.  All of these made money, and they all had their strengths but they also had their weaknesses.

Enter the (in)famous George W. McGill.  McGill was already famous and well-off from his brass paper fasteners and his various paper fastener punches and presses.  And in 1878 he introduces his Single-Stroke Staple Press, later to be called the Staple Press No 1.

1879 magazine advertisement

This was a bold move timing-wise and one that he made quickly.  While his Staple Press was available in 1878 he didn’t file his patent until January 1879.  It was quickly granted and by February 1879 he could now advertise it as patented.  It turned out that this compressed timeframe was absolutely necessary because in very short order he would have lots of competition.  For example, the following single-stroke staplers (amongst other models) were soon available:

• Novelty Paper Fastener first advertised in 1880, patented 1880.
• Pet Office Binder advertised in 1880
• Victor Paper Fastener advertised in 1882
• Keystone Paper Fastener advertised in 1883

Now George McGill was not only an inventor, but he was a successful businessman.  And he was also an attorney by trade – a patent attorney to be exact.  And George McGill was quickly unhappy with all of the competition he suddenly had for his very successful Staple Press.

The earliest, and most successful, of his competitors was the Novelty Paper Fastener.  While this item held patents from 1880 and later, Philadelphia Novelty Company also held similar stapler patents from 1877 and earlier.  This detail ends up being very important.  Despite these details there then began an over two year bare-knuckle battle of the then major stapler manufacturers.

It began in early 1881.  It was reported on March 3 that “George W. McGill announces his intention to take legal proceedings to stop the manufacture and sale of the Novelty paper fastener as being an infringement of his “patent single stroke staple press” for which Holmes, Booth & Hayden are licensees and agents. Mr. McGill’s attorney has sent out a notice forbidding the sale of the “Novelty.”

That very same day there was published an answer, “The Philadelphia Novelty Company, manufacturer of the Novelty paper fastener, denies that it has infringed upon the patent of George W. McGill, and says that it will assume all liability for damages that may be claimed from persons selling its goods. Hasbrouck & Ivatson, the agents for the Novelty, say that they will guarantee to protect their customers.”

Now, McGill was no amateur and at the same time he was taking legal actions here in the U.S. he was also taking action in the U.K.  On March 10 it was reported in the U.S. that McGill had brought action to restrain the sale of the Novelty Paper Fastener in English Chancery Court.  But in the U.K. there were plenty of shenanigans to go along with the legal proceedings.  For example it was reported in the London Times in February how one newspaper was taken to court over the erroneous and false report that the Chancery Court had essentially pre-decided the case!  When the Master of the Rolls decided on this particular issue he was quite clear how this article was both morally and legally wrong.

In November of 1881 the Philadelphia Novelty Company started running full-page ads that essentially stated that all other staplers, including McGill’s Staple Press, was in fact an infringement on their patents!

magazine ad from 1881

During the first year that this was going on there was some scare tactics by McGill that targeted customers and sellers of the Novelty.  But by January 1882 things started getting especially ugly when a story was “planted” that an export agency for the Philadelphia Novelty Company had surrendered and cancelled their agency on account of the ongoing legal issues.  Very quickly afterwards Philadelphia Novelty Company answered stating that the export agency in question did not surrender their agency due to legal issues, and that it had been shown in court that the patents in question did not infringe.  After this decision the public seems to have lost interest as this issue is no longer reported on.

While these kinds of bully tactics were fairly common at this time it didn’t end up effecting sales of either the Novelty or of the Single Stroke Staple Press.  McGill’s Staple Press was first advertised in 1878 but was still for sale as late as 1913.  While it was likely for sale for a short time after that it was at that point an obsolete technology.  There were plenty of choices and most of them could load more than one staple at a time.

same Press, different decoration

The McGill Single Stroke Staple Press No 1 weighs 2 lb 10 oz and measures 6.25″ L x 2.625″ W x 4.75″ H.  It is made from cast iron and steel with a japanned finish.  Japanning is not the same as paint or enamel but is a special type of lacquering finish (click here for more information).  The Presses were then hand decorated with various flourishes that changed over time.

1882 magazine advertisement

1894 newspaper advertisement

box of McGill staple binders

Almost simultaneously with the release of the Single-Stroke Staple Press here in the U.S., McGill released the Eagle Staple Press No 1 in England.  Aside from the painted decoration there was no difference between the models.

McGill’s Eagle Staple Press

Patent and Other Information:

• Patent 212316 granted February 18, 1879

Notes:

1. Holmes, Booth & Haydens (1878, March), advertisement, The American Stationer, page 13
2. Holmes, Booth & Haydens (1879, November), advertisement, The American Stationer, page 52
3. W. Lotz & Co (1880, January), advertisement, The British Trade Journal, page 16
4. Editors (1881, March 3), Trade Gossip, The American Stationer, page 264
5. Editors (1881, March 3), Trade Gossip, The American Stationer, page 269
6. Editors (1881, April 7), A Patent Suit, The American Stationer, page 457
7. Philadelphia Novelty Mfg Co (1881, November 17), advertisement, The American Stationer, page 769
8. Holmes, Booth & Haydens (1882, January 5), advertisement, The American Stationer, page 11
9. Editors (1882, January 5), Trade Gossip, The American Stationer, page 13
10. Philadelphia Novelty Mfg Co (1882, January 12), Communications, The American Stationer, page 49
11. Perkins Bros. Co. (1894, July 27), advertisement, The Sioux City Journal, page 26
12. Editors, General Price List, Whiteley William Ltd London ,1913

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Indelible Check Perforator

Tags

antique, check, indelible, perforator, protector, rouss, wesley

Most folks today have heard about, and perhaps even followed, the multitude of court cases surrounding many of our modern computing appliances over the years; Apple versus Microsoft, Xerox versus Apple, Apple versus Samsung, AMD versus Intel – the list goes on and on.

What few realize is that historically when there has been a technological revolution there then follows many legal battles over patents, licensing, etc.  Just as many of today’s tech giants battle it out in courts over such issues as patent infringements, this was also the case during the 19th century industrial/mechanical revolution.

By 1896, ten years after the U.S. Supreme Court weighed-in on the forging of checks, one of the more lucrative new areas of office technology was in the area of check protectors (see S&P Check Protector).  In late 1896, Wesley Manufacturing Company introduced a new protector, the Indelible Check Perforator.

Made from cast iron and steel, the Indelible Check Perforator was a mechanically simple machine.  To operate, you placed your check in between the two rollers by lifting the spring-loaded smaller upper roller.  You would then turn the knobbed head so that the figure you wanted was in place.  The last step was to simply press down firmly and that symbol would then be perforated onto your check.  Once the symbol was perforated onto your check, the device would automatically advance your check one character’s distance ready for the next number.  Where the “indelible” name comes in is that when you depress the head the perforating needles, after penetrating your check, would then press into an inked pad.  When the perforating needles came back through the paper the edges of each individual hole would then be covered in red ink.  This system would make it very difficult to then forge the check by any means.

1897 magazine advertisement

When introduced the Indelible cost just $5.  This was lower than many of the other check protectors on the market and in addition it was a high-quality piece.  The Indelible was an immediate success and with that notoriety it took almost no time at all for the first patent infringement lawsuit to be filed.

article from February 1897

The company accused of infringing Wesley Manufacturing’s patents was Rouss Manufacturing Company Inc.  Rouss Manufacturing marketed a check protector called the Royal Automatic Check Protector.  During the entirety of 1897 Wesley Manufacturing posted notices in all of the industry magazines, office suppliers, etc. giving everyone notice that they were going to take legal action against a manufacturer who was infringing on their patents.  The pressure must have been telling because in April 1897 W.J. Coulson of Rouss Manufacturing went so far as to go to the offices of the American Stationer magazine and claim to a reporter ” The Stationer recently had a notice stating that the Wesley Manufacturing Company had notified a Brooklyn manufacturer of the Indelible check protector, who was selling an infringing machine at a cut rate, to stop his operations, and that he had agreed to do so. I am that Brooklyn manufacturer, and I want to say that I am the inventor and originator of the Indelible check perforator: that I made the machine before there was a Wesley Company; that I made it for that company, and when that concern declined to carry out a contract I had with it I made and marketed the machines myself; the company has begun no suit against me; I have been served with no papers, and furthermore there is no patent on the machine; I sell my machine at the same retail price that the company charges for its machine. My machine is the original in every respect, and I am not only the original manufacturer of it, but am the one who originated it.”

Mr. Coulson was technically correct when he stated that there is no patent on the machine.  (side note:  of course, Wesley Manufacturing was at that time claiming six patents and had a seventh that would be granted shortly.  The Circuit Court made it a point however to effectively ignore the first six patents).  However, the patent was filed and was granted a short 2 months later.  It would appear that Mr. Coulson was incorrect on a number of other issues as well because later in 1897 a lawsuit was brought against Rouss Manufacturing Co Inc and on February 25, 1898, the case was heard in the Federal Circuit Court of Pennsylvania.  The Federal Court found that there was a patent infringement and a preliminary injunction was placed against Rouss Manufacturing.

1897 industry magazine advertisement

Skip forward about two years and in early 1900 it was being announced by Rouss Manufacturing in all of the industry magazines that the case (and supposed counterclaims) had been settled and that Rouss Manufacturing is now “enabled” to sell the Royal Automatic Check Protector under license from Wesley Manufacturing.

1900  industry magazine advertisement

The Indelible Check Perforator was available from 1896 through at least 1915.  It was made of cast iron and steel and measures 4.5″ L x 4.25″ W x 4.375″ H.  It weighs a hefty 3.5 pounds but was still lighter in weight than much of its competition.

1901 industry magazine advertisement

From 1896 to 1900 the Indelible was designed with 11 characters, the numbers 1 through 0 and a dollar sign.  In 1901, a new symbol, a star, was added to the revolving head.  Originally, the Indelible was only available in a japanned body with a nickel-plated head, but in 1902 a fully nickel-plated model began being advertised along with the japanned version.  These variations will help you determine the date of manufacture of an Indelible.

1906 industry magazine ad

Here is a sample of the perforations made by the Indelible.

The red ink being a bit smudgy is my fault.  After 120 years the original ink pad in the Indelible had the consistency of a hard pencil eraser.  I performed a complete “tune-up” and clean out of the Indelible and that included replacing the pad.  However, I used what I had on hand which was not the correct type of felt necessary.  It works great now otherwise and I’ll order a replacement stamp pad which I’ll cut to size and that should fix that issue.  Only then will my checks finally be safe from all of the forgers and grifters still using 19th century technology in an attempt to steal my money.

Patent and Other Information:

• Patent 441057 granted November 18, 1990
• Patent 459544 granted September 15, 1991
• Patent 460257 granted September 29, 1891
• Patent 500258 granted June 27, 1893
• Patent 505577 granted September 26, 1893
• Patent 530470 granted December 4, 1894
• Patent 584518 granted June 15, 1897

Notes:

1. Editors (1896, October), The “Indelible” Check Perforator, The Book-Keeper, page 22
2. Editors (1897, February 25), Going To Protect Its Patent, The American Stationer, page 32
3. Wesley Mfg Co (1897, March 25), advertisement, The American Stationer, page 24
4. Editors (1897, March 25), Roundabouts, The American Stationer, page 30
5. Editors (1897, April 15), Chat By The Way, The American Stationer, page 17
6. Medical Electric Co (1897, April), advertisement, The New Education, page 4
7. Editors, The Federal Reporter Volume 87, West Publishing Company ,1897
8. Editors (1900, February 3), Check Protector Suit Settled, The American Stationer, page 22
9. Rouss Mfg Co Inc (1900, February 10), advertisement, The American Stationer, page 26
10. Wesley Mfg Co (1901, February 21), advertisement, Geyer’s Stationer, page 27
11. Editors (1902, August 16), Check Perforator, The American Stationer, page 48
12. Wesley Mfg Co (1906, March 24), advertisement, The American Stationer, page 93
13. FP Burnap Stationery & Printing Co Catalog (1915), Kansas City, MO, page 87

 

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S&P Check Protector

Tags

antique, check protector, cushman, denison, nafew, nafew-lovell, pitt, s&p, sittmann

On March 1, 1886 the U.S. Supreme Court decided on the case of Leather Manufacturers’ Bank v. Morgan, 117 U.S. 96.  Essentially, this case stated, amongst other things, that the loss from a forged, or “raised”, check must be paid by the maker of the check and not the bank when in the absence of any suspicious conditions.  When this decision was made it was simply the latest such outcome which reaffirmed previous decisions from lower courts.

Shortly after these court decisions the market for check protectors took-off.  There were other protectors on the market, of course, but many were expensive.  And while many were introduced in the late 1880’s and 1890’s few were as successful as the model designed by Sittmann & Pitt.

Gustav Sittmann and Walter H. Pitt (S. & P.) designed a small and ingenious check protector and promptly submitted an application for patent in September 1893.  In February 1895 they were granted patent 534404.  This check protector was manufactured and sold for approximately 30 years by a number of different companies.

January 1895 industry magazine advertisement

In January 1895 the Nafew-Lovell Co introduced the “Nafew-Lovell Check Protector” to the stationer trade.  By May 1895 this same item was being advertised in newspapers across the United States.  This model was available in japanned black with gold pinstriping and some other minor gold enamel ornamentation.  The front of the protector was marked “The Nafew Lovell Check Protector Havemeyer Building New York”.  It’s initial price was $7.50 which is equal to over $212 in 2018 dollars.

July 1895 industry magazine advertisement

Nafew-Lovell Company was organized in 1894 and incorporated April 1895 to deal in patents, copyrights, etc.  This is the first company to produce what would later come to be known as “The S. & P.”.  By July 1895 the company changed names to the Samuel Nafew Company and at the same time increased the price to $8.50.

There was one other known S&P type check protector that was sold for a short time in 1895.  In August 1895 the Samuel Nafew Company sent out a circular to the trade stating that they own the patent, are producing this check protector, and that others are not genuine and infringements will be followed-up for prosecution.  By the end of the year you saw no more mention of this knock-off machine.

August 1895 trade notice

In early 1896 Samuel Nafew Company reduced the price to $8.00.  In mid-1897 they reduced it again to just $5.00.  This was a time when many other companies were reducing the prices on their check protectors (see Chicago Check Perforator) forcing the Samuel Nafew Company to do the same in order to stay competitive.

Note also that by February 1896 the front of the check protector is labeled “The Nafew Check Protector”.

February 1896 industry magazine advertisement

July 1897 industry magazine advertisement

1899 turned out to be a terrible year for the Samuel Nafew Company.

• In April 1899 there was a bankruptcy judgment against the Samuel Nafew Company in the state of New York.
• There was a fire at 390-392 Broadway in Chicago on October 26, 1899 where they had offices and a warehouse and they sustained several thousands of dollars in loss of stock and other items.
• The sales over the holidays that they were depending on never materialized.
• In December 1899 Sittmann & Pitt informed Samuel Nafew that if they did not make a reasonable payment on the debt owed to them they would file against them for involuntary bankruptcy. Sittmann & Pitt did just that in January 1900 and by July 1900 they started producing the S.& P. Check Protector under their name.

January 1900 New York Times article

1901 industry magazine advertisement

Sittmann & Pitt manufactured and marketed the S.& P. Check Protector until December 1908.  In January 1909 the “patents and business of the S&P Check Protector” were taken over by the Cushman & Denison Manufacturing Company.  One of the changes that Cushman & Denison made was to now make the S.&P. available in a nickel-plated model.  When they took over manufacture they never changed the label on the front and it always read “The S.& P.”.

1909 industry magazine advertisement

While the price you see in the industry magazines is the suggested retail price, in stationery stores the prices varied.  The following ad from a 1911 newspaper from Arkansas shows a price of $4.50.

1911 newspaper advertisement

By 1921 Cushman & Denison were offering the S. & P. for $10.00.

1921 industry magazine advertisement

The S.& P. Check Protector was available at least until 1924, but likely for a number of years after.  Aside from some cosmetic changes such as with the gold pin striping or the name painted on the front there was very little change over the 30 plus years it was sold.

The S. & P. Check Protector was everything it was advertised to be.  It was a small and very well-built check protector and even if you find one that has been abused over the years it is likely to still work.  It was made of 100% cast iron and steel, weighs 4 pounds, and measures 4.5″ W x 5.844″ L x 5.5″ H.  The S. & P. is a perforator type machine.  A perforator punches a series of pin-sized holes that were in the shape of numbers and symbols.

Patent and Other Information:

• Patent 534404

Notes:

1. editors (1895, January), A New Check Protector, American Stationer, page 118
2. editors (1895, January 8), New Corporations in Which Brooklyn-ites Have Invested Capital, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, page 2
3. Schwaab Stamp & Seal Co (1895, January), advertisement, The American Lawyer, page 2
4. editors (1895, April), The Nafew-Lovell Check Protector, Scientific American, page 262
5. Dury & Finney (1895, May 30), advertisement, The Nashville American, page 3
6. Samuel Nafew Co (1895, July), advertisement, American Stationer, page 163
7. editors (1895, August), Trade Items, American Stationer, page 326
8. Samuel Nafew Co (1896, February), advertisement, American Stationer, page 339
9. Samuel Nafew Co (1897, July), advertisement, American Stationer, page 116
10. editors (1899, April 12), Judgments, New York Times, page 11
11. editors (1900, January 7), Petitions In Bankruptcy, New York Times, page 9
12. Sittmann & Pitt (1901, January), advertisement, American Stationer, page 17
13. editors (1909, May), Office Appliances, American Exporter, page 94
14. Cushman & Denison Mfg Co (1909, June), advertisement, American Exporter, page 152
15. Democrat Printing & Litho Co (1911, June 29), advertisement, The Arkansas Gazette, page 2
16. Cushman & Denison Mfg Co (1921, January), advertisement, American Stationer and Office Outfitter, page 33
17. Cushman & Denison Mfg Co (1924, March), advertisement, Office Appliances The Magazine of Office Equipment, page 75

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The Ring Paper Clip (Rinklips)

Tags

antique, clip, hale, mcgill, paper clip, paperclip, ring, rinklip, vintage

…”I started [collecting paper clips] about two weeks ago and I believe there are 57 varieties – not the pickle kind, either.  Every time I get a new one I drop it into this little box.  I have a clip, a double clip, a clipper clip and rinklip.  I have a cross and a double cross and enough other kinds to form a clip menagerie.  Wonderful where all these fool things come from!

“Some of them are as intricate as a Chinese puzzle and as obstinate as a Missouri mule.  You have to worry along and tease with them, coax and wheedle, pat them on the back as if they were balky animals.  Every time a man gets a piece of wire twisted into some awkward shape he gets a patent of it and sells it as a paper clip.”  selection from Many Paper Clips, Sedalia Democrat-Sentinel, February 7, 1907

The end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century saw a virtual explosion of new patents for the newest type of office item – the paper clip.  It’s odd to think that an everyday item such as this was once a new and exciting addition to the office supply pantheon but it was.  So, why did it take so long for the paperclip to be invented?  This modest office supply could not exist until steel wire with the proper tensity was available along with the machinery to bend this wire into the various shapes used by the makers of these clips.  It was this combination, along with a need for such an item, that made these a staple office item within a few years of their introduction.

While the universally known “gem” clip is the undisputed king of paper clips, there were a surprisingly large number of other designs that have been produced over the years.  One of the more successful clip variants manufactured was the Ring Paper Clip, or Rinklip.

Rinklips were first sold by the Ring Paper Clip Company of Providence, Rhode Island.  They were manufactured by the A.A. Weeks Manufacturing Company.  It may not come as a surprise to learn that the president of the A.A. Weeks Manufacturing Co, Frank A. Weeks, was also the Treasurer of the Ring Paper Clip Company.  Joshua B. Hale is listed on the patents as the inventor of the Rinklip. But not only did J.B. Hale invent the ring clip but also the machine to make them.

ad from 1905 industry magazine

Rinklips were first produced in 1905.  At the time only one size and one design was advertised – the flat-topped ring clip.

ad from 1907 industry magazine

By December 1906 three sizes were available:  little, commercial, and banker.  This turned out to be a clever bit of marketing as all other paper clips used numbers to designate sizes (e.g. the No. 3 Gem Clip).  Commercial Rinklips measured .625″ diameter while Banker Rinklips measured 1″ diameter.  The Little Rinklip was approximately .4″ diameter.

1921 office supply catalog

From 1921 onwards a numbering system was used to designate the different sizes.  These ran from No. 0 to No. 4.  Numbers 2,3, and 4 corresponded directly to the old system of little, commercial, and banker.  Actually, it was common for the No. 4 clips to be called Banker Rinklips throughout its manufacturing history.

If you look on the internet or read books published that discuss the history of paper clips you will find that there is some confusion over the actual inventor of the Ring Clip.  This is understandable and exists for two main reasons:

1. There is a patent granted to George W. McGill in 1903, patent 731598, wherein he patents a clip design that is similar to the Rinklip.

figures from McGill’s patent 731598

2. While the patent date is printed on boxes of Rinklips the actual patent number was not easily found nor was it known that there were two patents granted for Rinklips and one additional one for the method of producing them.

The USPTO granted two patents to J.B. Hale and the Ring Paper Clip Company for the Rinklip. Furthermore, George W. McGill was not only a prodigious inventor but a practicing patent attorney and he had shown no reluctance to take people to court over actual and supposed patent infringements in the past – including A.A. Weeks.  However, there is no evidence that he did so in this regard.  The fact that two patents were granted and that G.W. McGill didn’t feel that the production of these clips warranted legal action on his part show that McGill should not be considered the inventor of the Rinklip.

I believe this confusion came about for a few reasons;

1. The patents for the Rinklip were extremely difficult to find and only recently discovered by me.
2. The patent for G.W. McGill’s patent was very easily found and shows a very similar clip. Actually, a review of McGill’s patents from around that year will show that he patented virtually every known type of paper clip ever conceived.  Even designs previously patented.
3. The book “Adventures in Stationery” by James Ward on page 11 states that McGill patented and produced the Ring Clip. I believe it’s possible that McGill produced “a” ring clip, but is not the inventor or producer of the Rinklip.

Ring paper clips were produced by other companies in later years.  Both Oakville and Monarch were producing them in the 1960’s.  They were widely available at least through the 1980’s and likely for decades beyond.  However, they are essentially extinct today which is unfortunate since they are actually one of the better paper clip designs ever to be produced.

1982 office supply catalog

To fasten paper using a ring clip you don’t insert the same way you would a gem clip.

insert from Rinklip box

Patent and Other Information:

• Patent 731598 – G.W. McGill Spring Clip – granted 06/23/1903
• Patent Reissue 12171, G.W. McGill Spring Clip – granted 11/17/03
• Patent 803585 – J.B. Hale Paper Clip – granted 11/07/1905
• Patent 803897 – J.B. Hale Spring Clip – granted 11/07/1905
• Patent 822445 – J.B. Hale Method of Forming Spring Clips – granted 06/05/1906

Notes:

1. A. Weeks Manufacturing Co. (1905, December), advertisement, Geyer’s Stationer, page 3
2. Editor, Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office. Government Printing Office, 1906
3. Editor, Big Store for New York, Geyer’s Stationer, page 1, 29 March 1906
4. Syndicated Author, Many Paper Clips, Sedalia Democrat-Sentinel, page 3, 29 February 1907
5. FP Burnap Stationery and Printing Co Catalog (1915), Kansas City, MO, page 107
6. Wesbanco Catalog (1921), Oklahoma City, OK, page 77
7. McClurg’s Catalog (1936), Chicago, IL, page 184
8. Utility Supply Co. Catalog (1946), Chicago, IL, page 368
9. Commercial Stationers and Office Outfitters Co Catalog (1955), Chicago, IL, page 316
10. Wosco Catalog (1963), Greensburg, PA, page 115
11. McDonald, Stingel and Bush Office Supply Catalog (1964), Saginaw, MI,page 362
12. Syndicated Author, Behold the Lowly Paper Clip …It’s Still a ‘Gem’, Quad City Times, pages 12-13, 7 December 1975
13. Hartford Office Supply Catalog (1982), Hartford, CT, page 5
14. Ward, James. Adventures in Stationery: a Journey through Your Pencil Case. Profile Books, 2015.

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Acme No 2 Staple Binder

Tags

acme, antique, binder, fastener, no 2, stapler, vintage

Probably the most defining characteristic of any Acme stapler is how well-built it is.  I would wager that most of the Acme staplers ever made are probably still around.  And I believe the reason the early models may not get much use any more is entirely due to how difficult it is to find staples that can be used in these models.  They really are just that well-made.

The Acme No 2 Staple Binder is no exception.  The No 2 was made from nickel-plated cast iron and steel.  It was purposely built with fewer parts for simplicity and designed to be easy to fix and maintain.  It measures 11.25″ L x 2.188″ W x 7.5″ H and weighs 3.5 lbs.

This fastener was especially adapted for office work, at least according to all the advertisements.  However, it would have been just as much at home in a commercial or even industrial setting.

1908 ad from industry magazine

This was introduced in 1908 and the last known reference I know of is from 1946.  It used a proprietary size staple with a 7/16 size crown.  I have not found a modern equivalent that will fit in this stapler.

original type staples for Acme No 2

newer type magazine staples for Acme No 2

There were two different “versions” of  the No 2.  Essentially there is an “older” version 1 and a “newer” version 2.  The older version would have used the original type staples while later models of version 1 and all models of version 2 would have been designed to use the newer type staples (see figures above).  It should be noted that there was just one or two extremely minor differences between the models the main one being the cap thumb screw shown in the figure below.  The other noticeable difference being the outside end of the staple push rod.

highlighted is what to look for on the older version

When you hear folks say “they don’t make ’em like they used to” this is what they’re talking about.  The Acme No 2 is well-made, highly decorative, and perfectly designed for its function.  It’s no wonder why they were manufactured for 40 years.

Patent and Other Information:

• Acme No 2 Staple Binder Directions

Notes:

1. Editors (1908),Novelties for the Trade Acme Binder No. 2, The American Stationer, page 14
2. Acme Staple Co. (1912, January), advertisement, Walden’s Stationer and Printer, page 35
3. Burnap Stationery and Printing Co Catalog (1915), Kansas City, MO, page 111
4. Acme Staple Co. (1922, October), advertisement, Geyer’s Stationer, page 59
5. Out West Catalog (1922), Colorado Springs, CO, page 76
6. McClurg’s Catalog (1935-1936), Chicago, IL, page 181
7. Utility Supply Co. Catalog (1940), Chicago, IL, page 330
8. Utility Supply Co. Catalog (1946), Chicago, IL, page 390

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Safe-Guard Check Writer Model Y

Tags

antique, check, check protector, check writer, lansdale, safe-guard, safeguard, whitaker

Introduced in 1917 the Safe-Guard Check Writer was an instant success. At its release the Safe-Guard was considered a major leap forward in check writers.

There were check writers and check protectors of various types using various technologies previous to the Safe-Guard.  However, the Safe-Guard’s unique combination of printing the check amount on a diagonal in a single line coupled with a diagonal rectangular design embossed over the name of the payee and over the written check amount made for a potent combination of writing and protecting.

ad from 1919 industry magazine

There were a number of different, but very similar, models introduced early on including the models F, G, R, S, W, Y, and others.  The very earliest models will reflect that they were manufactured by the John Whitaker Manufacturing Company but the company changed names to the Safe-Guard Check Writer Company in November 1917. Also, between 1921 and 1922 the style of the front rubber feet were changed to a more elongated “clown shoe” style foot.  This means that if you have a model Y check writer that states it was manufactured by the Safe-Guard Check Writer Company and it has circular rubber front feet then it was made between 1918 and 1921 (see picture at beginning of post).  If the model has elongated front feet then it was made 1921 or after.

newspaper ad from 1922

The model Y weighs 8 lbs 4 oz and measures 9.5″ L x 7.875″ W x 7.375″ H.  This is a serious piece of equipment.  These are also extremely well-made and are very likely to still be working.  Oftentimes, if it is not working then simply cleaning out the mechanics and adding a minimal amount of oil is enough to put it back in working condition.  One word of caution though, be careful if you are going to refill the ink well and use the correct ink.  While I do not have an operator’s manual it is unlikely that this used a water-based ink.  Doing so would have damaged the internal mechanisms over time.  I would recommend either leaving the ink well alone or cleaning (if you must) but not refilling so as not to inadvertently cause any damage.  Otherwise, if you must refill the ink reservoir then an oil-based ink similar to the type used by numbering machines would likely be your best bet.

The Safe-Guard Check Writer was advertised at $55 in 1920.  In 2017 dollars that is $674!

John Whitaker was the inventor and patent holder for all of the Safe-Guard patents.  He started John Whitaker Manufacturing Co and had factories in Philadelphia and North Wales, Pennsylvania.  In September 1917 he consolidated his factories in one location in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.  He was known as a manufacturer of adding machines although it is unknown if he continued to do so after the introduction of the Safe-Guard Check Writer.  As noted above, in November 1917 the name of the company was changed to the Safe-Guard Check Writer Company.  In 1929 the Safe-Guard Check Writer Co purchased two companies; the Hercules Check Certifier Co and the Repeating Stamp and Duplicating Corporation.  By 1946 the company name had again changed to Safeguard Corporation but it stayed in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.  In 1946 the company was sold but did not change names, however, John Whitaker retired that year from the company.  John Whitaker passed away February 10, 1964.  A 1963 article mentions that Safeguard Business Systems is a distributorship of Safeguard Corp.  Safeguard Business Systems is still in business to this day.

It is unknown how long the model Y (and it’s sibling models) was available but consensus from other collectors has it until approximately 1928 when new models were introduced.

Patent and Other Information:

• Patent 1280921 Printing Device
• Patent 1303434 Check
• Patent 1377040 Check Printing and Scarifying Machine

Notes:

1. Editors (1917, September), Machinery Markets and News of the Works – Philadelphia, The Iron Age, page 719
2. Editors (1917, November), A Check Writer That Protects the Payee’s Name, Typewriter Topics, pages 158-160
3. Lodewick & Roquemore (1920, March), advertisement, Jackson Daily News, page 7
4. Safe-Guard Check Writer Co (1922, July), advertisement, American Exporter, page 12
5. Safe-Guard Check Writer Co (1922, October), advertisement, Kansas City Kansan, page 6A
6. Office Equipment Co (1926, November), advertisement, Asheville Citizen, page Twelve
7. Editors (1929, October), Safe Guard Check Gets Duplicating Device, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, page 39
8. Editors (1929, September), Financial World Briefly Scanned, Wilmington Morning News, page 13
9. Editors (1963, January), Obituary Paul B. Stitt, Philadelphia Inquirer, page 12
10. Editors (1964, February), John Whitaker, 94, Founded Firm, The Morning Call, page 31
11. Editors (1964, March), New Business is Formed, The Times San Mateo, page 29

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Sengbusch No. 55 Self-Closing Inkstand

Tags

antique, ink, inkstand, inkwell, milwaukee, self-closing, sengbusch, stand, vintage, well

Sengbusch No. 55

If you’ve ever gone looking for antique or vintage office items, whether online, in antique stores, or whatnot, one of the items that you will run into time and again are ink wells and ink stands.  Now, ball point pens have been available for quite a number of decades now and fountain pens have been in use for centuries.  What these types of pens have in common is that they both contain their ink internally in the pen casing.  Prior to these technologies the only way to put ink to paper was with a dip pen.  And just as the name implies you would dip the pen nib into a specially made container that you would keep on your desk and that would be filled with ink.  Now dip pens at the end of the 19th and into the 20th century lived very comfortably alongside fountain pens.  Dip pens had some advantages over the fountain pens of the time, advantages such as simplicity of parts, ease of use, and inexpensiveness to name just a few.

If you examine most ink wells you’ll note that they are often essentially just a small bottle with a non-airtight removable cap.  You open the cap, dip your pen, and write. However, because these wells weren’t airtight and were often kept open for long stretches of time, it wasn’t unusual for the ink to accumulate dust and grit, evaporate as liquids are wont to do, and most dreadfully, spill all over your desk, your work, and your clothes if you were careless.

illustration demonstrating how the Sengbusch self-closing inkstand works

A man named Gustav Sengbusch was also well-aware of all of the shortcomings with ink wells and in 1902 filed two patent applications for self-closing ink wells.  These two patents, along with many, many others in the following years, formed the basis of the company he started; the Sengbusch Self-Closing Inkstand Company.

Over the years Sengbusch released a number of different ink wells and ink stands but one of the earliest and longest manufactured was the No. 55.

The No. 55 measured 3.25″ x 3.0625″ and weighed 1 lb and 4 oz.  It was constructed of pressed glass and hard rubber or plastic.  I can find specific references to the No. 55 as early as 1915 and as late as 1955.  However, it is my opinion that it would have been available a year or two earlier and likely produced until Sengbusch Self-Closing Inkstand Co. went out of business.

Because the No. 55 was made for such a long period of time it can be very difficult to date one.  One way is to look at the outer plastic top.  If there are patent dates on this then it will have been manufactured after the latest patent date.  However, sometime around the late 1920’s all patent information seems to no longer have been inscribed on these tops and instead started having only Sengbusch or Sengbusch USA inscribed.  Another way to date these is by the type of plastic material used in the construction of the self-closing mechanism and cap.  These parts were made of hard rubber until at least 1946 but by 1955 they started being made of hard plastic.

ad from March 30, 1905

Information on Gustav “Gus” Sengbusch and the Sengbusch Self-Closing Inkstand Company is sparse to say the least.  The earliest specific reference I can find to the Sengbusch Self-Closing Inkstand Co. is from March 30, 1905.  The latest specific reference I have found is from 1966 but this reference was from a periodical about radios, another product that Sengbusch was known for.  That means that this company was in existence from at least 1905 until 1966.   However, the 1966 reference was in regards to a still very active company, not one going out of business.  It seems fair to assume that the Sengbusch Self-Closing Inkstand Co. was in business until at least the 1970’s (see note 1).  Sengbusch was located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for its entire existence.  Sengbusch started out at 885 11th Street and in 1906 moved to the Montgomery Building.  In 1912 they were located in the Stroh Building and by 1938 they were in the Sengbusch Building.

The Sengbusch Self-Closing Inkstand Co. wasn’t only known for its inkwells.  They also manufactured radios, dip pens, pen nibs, paper sorters, ink stands, a mucilage (glue) applicator and the Ideal Moistener.  These last two items were brought under the Sengbusch umbrella in 1916 when the Ideal Moistener Co. of Findlay, Ohio was acquired by Sengbusch.  The Ideal Moistener was one of Sengbusch’s most successful products.

The Sengbusch ink stands were very successful and many businesses purchased these.  Some of their customers include:

• American Car & Foundry Co
• Baldwin Locomotive Works
• Bell Telephone System
• Board of Education Bloomington, IL
• Carnegie Steel
• DuPont Powder Co
• Equitable Life Assurance
• Ford Motor Co
• International Harvester
• Northern Life Insurance
• Northwestern Insurance Co
• N.W. Mutual Life Insurance Co
• Oregon Short Line Railway
• Pacific Telephone and Telegraph
• Pierce-Arrow Motor Co
• Prudential Insurance
• Red Wing Minnesota Public Schools
• Southern Express Co
• Standard Oil Co
• Swift & Co
• United Shoe Machinery Co
• US Navy
• Western Union Telegraph Co

Sengbusch ads also mention that hundreds of banks, state capitols, business houses, and government offices all used Sengbusch self-closing inkstands.

picture from a 1919 industry magazine showing a Sengbusch-themed window display

ad from 1922 industry magazine

Patent and Other Information:

• Sengbusch No. 55 Inkstand Directions
• 726194 Inkstand
• 726195 Ink Well
• 841345 Ink Well

Notes:

1. The Pen Collectors of America publish a fantastic newsletter titled the Pennant. In their fall 2009 newsletter William J. Cowell Jr. published a great article titled “An Inkwell and a Mystery”.  Cowell gives a lot of information about Gustav Sengbusch and the Sengbusch Self-Closing Inkstand Co. and while he mentions some of his sources in passing he doesn’t list them.  This means that I can’t independently verify his facts.  That’s not to imply I think his information is incorrect, far from it.  But since I cannot verify them I felt it prudent not to use this article as a reference.  However, I feel that it is of enough import that I greatly encourage you to seek this out and read the article if you’re interested in the Sengbusch Self-Closing Inkstand Company. While you’re at it, think about joining the PCA.
2. Sengbusch Self-Closing Inkstand Co. (1905, March). advertisement. Geyer’s Stationer, page 16
3. Editors (1909, March 25). Sengbusch Inkstand Factory Enlarged. Geyer’s Stationer, p. 10
4. Editors (1913, February 13). The “Sengbusch” Self-Closing Ink Stand. Geyer’s Stationer, p. 13
5. P. Burnap Stationery & Printing Co Catalog (1915), Kansas City, MO, page 144
6. Editors (1916, June 1). “Gus” Sengbusch Is Spreading Out. Geyer’s Stationer, p. 10
7. Sengbusch Self-Closing Inkstand Co. (1916, June). advertisement. Geyer’s Stationer, page 25
8. Editors (1916, June 22). Sengbusch-Ideal Moistener Nuptials. Geyer’s Stationer, p. 39
9. Sweet’s Architectural Catalogue (1918), Sengbusch Self-Closing Inkstand Company , page 7
10. Dameron-Pierson Co Catalog (1923), New Orleans, LA, page 69
11. Saml Dodsworth Stationery Co Catalog (1932), Kansas City, MO, page 21
12. Utility Supply Co Catalog (1940), Chicago, IL, page 290
13. Editors (1940, August), Army Grants Contracts With Wisconsin Firms, The Green Bay Press-Gazette, page 2
14. Sengbusch Self-Closing Inkstand Co (1957, June), advertisement, Alexandria Daily Town Talk, page 15
15. Editors (1966). Index Telegraphic Cable and Radio Registrations. Marconi’s International Register, p. 733

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McGill Paper Fastener Punch

Tags

antique, booth, fastener, haydens, holmes, mcgill, punch

Back in 1866, George W. McGill patented what is now one of the most basic of office supplies, the brass paper fastener. It was revolutionary at the time as it fundamentally changed how papers were organized and held together. They were safe, easy to use, and unpretentiously decorative.

McGill quickly realized though that one issue with using these is that you first needed to create a hole or slit in which to insert the brass fastener. Over the years he patented several different presses to perform this function but mostly they were large and heavy. But what could you do if you had mostly smaller jobs that didn’t really require the use of a two and a half pound solid cast iron press? That’s where the McGill Paper Fastener Punch came in.

Weighing 1.5 ounces, the McGill Paper Fastener Punch was 3.125″ L, 0.875″ W x 1.5″ H. So it was very small and light. The body was made of brass, the spike of steel and the top knob was made of plated steel. This made the Punch very strong. It was also relatively inexpensive. But the most compelling feature of the Punch was that it just plain worked. This combination of small, light, strong, cheap, and good design was a winning combination that made this a successfully selling item for over 40 years.

The Fastener Punch was patented on May 26, 1874 to George McGill. He was granted patent number 151236 for his invention. I can find sources that show the Fastener Punch being sold from at least 1879 through 1921. However, it is very likely that this was available from around 1874 through to approximately 1930.

The McGill Fastener Punch was also highly decorative with raised scrollwork and flowers on the top piece and a fasces imprinted on the bottom piece. The fasces is an old Roman symbol denoting unity and order which is certainly a duty performed by the Fastener Punch.  The punch is marked “G.W. MCGILL NEW YORK” on the top of the knob.

In 1876 George McGill entered into a 20 year contract with Holmes, Booth & Haydens for the manufacture of his fasteners. I have seen ads showing that with the purchase of certain fastener sets you received a McGill Fastener Punch for free. As Holmes, Booth & Haydens was one of the largest brass-works in the world, and as the Fastener Punch is made primarily of brass, it makes sense that these would also have been manufactured by Holmes, Booth & Haydens.

from 1892 industry magazine

The business of manufacturing McGill’s fasteners was exceedingly profitable to both McGill and to Holmes, Booth & Haydens. McGill was made a director in this corporation and the fastener business became a separate department under his control. McGill had an office at the New York City office of Holmes, Booth & Haydens where he directed the fastener business and oversaw the manufacturing of them. George W. McGill was also a patent attorney.

In about 1899 George McGill brought a lawsuit to bear against Holmes, Booth & Haydens for not honoring the payment terms of their contract. McGill did win this lawsuit but it seems to have been the end of their business relationship. In January 1899 the McGill Fastener Company was incorporated in New York. On October 17, 1901, Holmes, Booth & Haydens merged with several other brass-works in Connecticut to form the American Brass Company.

Taken together it appears that anything manufactured after 1899 would have been made by the McGill Fastener Company while anything manufactured before 1899 would have been made by Holmes, Booth & Haydens.

A comparison of this same Paper Fastener Punch against the original patent will show some obvious design changes to the punch. However, I do not know when this design change was made.

George Warrington McGill was born in Lancaster, Ohio on March 9, 1844. He started out as a civil engineer, then a lawyer, and finally an inventor and businessman. He was married to Mary Peebles Harry and they had one child, a son, named W. Harry McGill. George W. McGill died September 30, 1917.

Patent Information:

• US Patent 151236

Notes:

1. Editors (1879, June). Illustrated and Descriptive Price List of Stationery and Fancy Goods. The American Stationer, page 20
2. Editors (1893, February). McGill’s Assorted Fasteners. Books and Notions, page 14
3. Hall, Henry, America’s Successful Men of Affairs, New York, NY, The New York Printing Company, (1895). Print
4. National Reporter System, The Federal Reporter Volume 108, St. Paul, MN, West Publishing Co, (1901). Print
5. Lathrop, William G., The Brass Industry in Connecticut, New Haven, CT, The Price, Lee & Adkins Co (1909). Print
6. F.P. Burnap Stationery & Printing Co Catalog (1915), Kansas City, MO page 109
7. Editors (1917, November). Passed Away During the Month. Office Appliances the Magazine of Office Equipment, page 221
8. A.L. Salomon & Co Catalog (1921), New York, NY page 38