This metal office stamp is included in the Museum because it uses metal type for printing, not the usual rubber type so common in the later stamps, although the type is short type, only about 3/8″ high. The stamp pictured was made in 1871 and has a screw that holds in a row of type, set backwards in the same fashion as one would set type in a form. The handle is pushed down to “print” and a spring automatically retracts the type after the impression is made. The stamp is quite small: 2 1/4″ wide by 1 1/4″ deep by 2 1/2″ high. On its underside it bears the gold inscription of the patent date: June 13, 1865.

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Briar Press, Core contributor