Patent Models: Graphic Arts

Of the 10,000 patent models held in this Museum, some 400 models are housed in and relate to the Graphic Arts Collection. These include models prepared for the printing, type, paper, and bookbinding trades.

The following Introduction is copied directly from Elizabeth M. Harris, Patent Models in the Graphic Arts Collection (Washington, D.C.: The National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, 1997). This publication is illustrated with line drawings.

Black and white photographs of many of the 400 plus patent models in the Graphic Arts Collection were taken in the 1960s. We hope the publication of these photographs will also assist the public in better understanding the Collection.

“Until 1880, the U.S. Patent Office required most inventors to submit a model with their application for patent protection. The Patent Office thus became the keeper of a huge collection, one that suffered several catastrophes over the years. In 1836 a fire at Blodgett's Hotel, where the Patent Office was housed, destroyed all existing models—about 10,000 items—as well as the records of some specifications. After the fire new patents, hitherto unnumbered, were numbered in a consecutive series. In 1840 an effort was made to restore models and specifications lost in the fire. Some 2845 were restored (and numbered in a new X... series), but there were gaps that could not be filled and remain blank to this day. In 1887 a second fire started in a loft in the Patent Office where 12,000 rejected models were stored. It spread rapidly, destroying or damaging 114,000 more models out of the total collection of around 200,000. Of these, 27,000 were eventually restored, while 87,000 were lost.

The first patent models now in the Graphic Arts Division came to the Smithsonian in 1908—a group of eleven models transferred by the Patent Office. In 1926 Congress decided to dispose of the remaining Patent Office collection, which then consisted of some 150,000 models. About 10,000 pieces came to the Smithsonian's U.S. National Museum.

The largest single group within that transfer—about 4,000—consisted of models for the textiles industry. More than 300 were for the printing trades. Other printing models have arrived since 1926, singly or in small groups.”

For more information about the Museum’s patent model collection, see Patent Model Index, Guide to the Collections of the National Museum of American History.

This patent model demonstrates an invention for an improved type-setting machine. It consists of a frame, type-case, and composing stick; it was granted patent number 28857.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an improved type-setting machine. It consists of a frame, type-case, and composing stick; it was granted patent number 28857.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
patent date
1860-06-26
maker
Harger, H.
ID Number
1997.0198.07
accession number
1997.0198
catalog number
1997.0198.07
patent number
28857
This patent model demonstrates an invention for the first of a generation of fast web perfecting presses which was granted patent number 38200. On this press, unlike its successors, the paper was cut into sheets before being printed. According to Stephen D.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for the first of a generation of fast web perfecting presses which was granted patent number 38200. On this press, unlike its successors, the paper was cut into sheets before being printed. According to Stephen D. Tucker’s History of R. Hoe & Company, the web cutting knife had been used years before on a Hoe press, but the concept had not been patented.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1863
patent date
1863-04-14
maker
Bullock, William
ID Number
GA.11027
catalog number
GA*11027
accession number
49064
patent number
038200
catalog number
GA*49064.038200
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a platen printing press, which was granted patent number 40099. In this invention, one of a series on Gordon's platen presses, the platen was pivoted on long legs.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a platen printing press, which was granted patent number 40099. In this invention, one of a series on Gordon's platen presses, the platen was pivoted on long legs. The bed, rocking on its own axis, was locked into vertical position to take the impact of impression. The model is incomplete: the platen assembly is missing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1863
patent date
1863-09-29
maker
Gordon, George Phineas
ID Number
GA.22836
accession number
249602
patent number
040099
catalog number
GA*22836
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a platen press in which the platen had, in addition to the usual rocking motion, a straight-line approach that took it perfectly parallel to the type bed for the impression.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a platen press in which the platen had, in addition to the usual rocking motion, a straight-line approach that took it perfectly parallel to the type bed for the impression. The invention was granted patent number 32130.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1861
patent date
1861-04-23
maker
Gordon, George Phineas
ID Number
GA.22837
accession number
249602
patent number
032130
catalog number
GA*22837
This patent model demonstrates an invention for nippers for holding the paper on a platen jobbing press and then delivering it after printing; the invention was granted patent number 29554.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for nippers for holding the paper on a platen jobbing press and then delivering it after printing; the invention was granted patent number 29554. Charles Wells and Henry Barth were owners of the Cincinnati Type Foundry, the company to which this patent was assigned. The patent represents improvements to the CTF Wells Jobber. Henry Barth was later famous for the Barth Type Caster.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
patent date
1860-08-07
maker
Wells, Charles
Barth, Henry
ID Number
GA.22841
accession number
249602
patent number
029554
catalog number
22841
GA*22841
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for cutting paper collars and simultaneously indenting them with imitation stitches or printing them with ornamental devices; the invention was granted patent number 56679.J. F.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for cutting paper collars and simultaneously indenting them with imitation stitches or printing them with ornamental devices; the invention was granted patent number 56679.
J. F. Tapley, a bookbinder and a prolific inventor, founded the bookbinding J. F. Tapley Company in 1850. The company survived until its merger in 1970.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1866
patent date
1866-07-24
maker
Tapley, Jesse F.
Tapley, George W.
ID Number
GA.24592
patent number
056679
accession number
1977.0968
catalog number
GA*24592
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a vise that held the engraving plate firmly, while offering the yielding surface that the engraver needed; the invention was granted patent number 27253.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a vise that held the engraving plate firmly, while offering the yielding surface that the engraver needed; the invention was granted patent number 27253.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
patent date
1860-02-21
maker
Wood, A. H.
ID Number
GA.89797.027253
patent number
027253
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.027253
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an engraving pantograph, particularly intended for cutting letters from a pattern into stone; the invention was granted patent number 27827. The graver was provided with a rotating and/or a pecking motion.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an engraving pantograph, particularly intended for cutting letters from a pattern into stone; the invention was granted patent number 27827. The graver was provided with a rotating and/or a pecking motion.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
patent date
1860-04-10
maker
Pease, W. H.
ID Number
GA.89797.027827
patent number
027827
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.027827
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a typesetting and distributing machine which was granted patent number 28463. Typing at the keyboard perforated a paper tape to produce a complete "registry" of the keystrokes, including all spacing and leading.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a typesetting and distributing machine which was granted patent number 28463. Typing at the keyboard perforated a paper tape to produce a complete "registry" of the keystrokes, including all spacing and leading. This record could be used to set several identical pages of type or, fed in reverse, to redistribute the type to its cases. The keyboard is missing from the model.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
patent date
1860-05-29
maker
Felt, Charles W.
ID Number
GA.89797.028463
accession number
89797
patent number
028463
catalog number
GA*89797.028463
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a type-scouring machine which was granted patent number 28899. The patent details a machine for removing the burr from the foot of newly cast type.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a type-scouring machine which was granted patent number 28899. The patent details a machine for removing the burr from the foot of newly cast type.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
patent date
1860-06-26
maker
Pavyer, James G.
ID Number
GA.89797.028899
patent number
028899
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.028899
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a table with clamp and knives, for trimming paper to any size; the invention was granted patent number 29532.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a table with clamp and knives, for trimming paper to any size; the invention was granted patent number 29532.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
patent date
1860-08-07
maker
Utley, Gabriel
ID Number
GA.89797.029532
patent number
029532
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.029532
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a bookbinders standing press which was granted patent number 30243.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a bookbinders standing press which was granted patent number 30243. The press has a platen, or upper follower, lowered in the usual way by an iron screw, and a bed, or lower follower, that was raised by a rack and pinion.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
patent date
1860-10-02
maker
Pelletreau, Maltby K.
ID Number
GA.89797.030243
patent number
030243
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.030243
This patent model demonstrates an invention for Bryant's hand mold with a double matrix, intended for the casting of "pointed type" as used by the blind. The invention was granted patent number 30293.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for Bryant's hand mold with a double matrix, intended for the casting of "pointed type" as used by the blind. The invention was granted patent number 30293. The letters (not Braille signs) in the matrices were built up from the sharp ends of wires.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
patent date
1860-10-09
maker
Bryant, Isaac C.
ID Number
GA.89797.030293
patent number
030293
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.030293
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an intaglio system that was designed to speed the operation of copperplate wiping, using an ordinary platen lever press.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an intaglio system that was designed to speed the operation of copperplate wiping, using an ordinary platen lever press. After paper was pressed against the face of the engraved plate, ink was piped from a reservoir to spaces under the plate and then forced up through holes in the plate into the engraved lines. Here the ink made contact with the paper. Unused ink was then sucked back out of the lines, leaving the plate clean as the platen was lifted again for the next sheet. The invention was granted patent number 30495.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
patent date
1860-10-23
maker
Oakes, W. H.
ID Number
GA.89797.030495
accession number
89797
patent number
030495
catalog number
GA*89797.030495
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a type-cutting machine which was granted patent number 31333.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a type-cutting machine which was granted patent number 31333. The patent details a machine for sawing type from a solid block of letters by first cutting a strip of letters from the block, then notching the strip, and finally cutting apart the letters. The block could be cast by Smith's patent of 1859.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1861
patent date
1861-02-05
maker
Smith, John J. C.
ID Number
GA.89797.031333
patent number
031333
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.031333
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a hand-operated printing press which was granted patent number 32242. This press, the Chatauqua Jobber, was a self-inking bench-top press along the lines of the A. and B.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a hand-operated printing press which was granted patent number 32242. This press, the Chatauqua Jobber, was a self-inking bench-top press along the lines of the A. and B. Newbury Mountain Jobber of 1859 (Patent 24655).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1861
patent date
1861-05-07
maker
Dean, George R.
ID Number
GA.89797.032242
patent number
032242
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.032242
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an apparatus for printing bank notes and drafts; the invention was granted patent number 33526.Security printing demanded that all prints be identical, but there were difficulties in achieving that goal by the preferred intaglio pro
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an apparatus for printing bank notes and drafts; the invention was granted patent number 33526.
Security printing demanded that all prints be identical, but there were difficulties in achieving that goal by the preferred intaglio process. Dampened paper changed its dimension and was further distorted by the rolling press; while dry paper would not take an impression at a rolling press without immense pressure, which stretched the plate and image. Printing in several colors (a protection against photographic reproduction) compounded the distortions, making perfect registration between the colors impossible. This patent sought to avoid the problems by means of an intaglio press built along the lines of a coining press. It printed on dry paper, using a combination of screw and lever pressure.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1861
patent date
1861-10-22
maker
Hayes, Jabez W.
ID Number
GA.89797.033526
accession number
089797
patent number
033526
catalog number
GA*89797.033526
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a hand stamp which was granted patent number 34166.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a hand stamp which was granted patent number 34166. The patent details a percussion stamp for marking the backs of railroad tickets with the ticket remaining face up, and for perforating tickets printed on strips of paper.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1862
patent date
1862-01-14
maker
Shaffer, John
Spencer, Edward
ID Number
GA.89797.034166
patent number
034166
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.034166
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine to cut books in the round which was granted patent number 35639. The machine includes rocking knives for cutting the fronts of books in the round, an operation normally performed by hand.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine to cut books in the round which was granted patent number 35639. The machine includes rocking knives for cutting the fronts of books in the round, an operation normally performed by hand.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1862
patent date
1862-06-17
maker
Trinks, Gregor
Heitkamp, Louis
ID Number
GA.89797.035639
patent number
035639
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.035639
This patent model demonstrates an invention for improvements to the inking, dampening, and tympan apparatus in a scraper machine. The invention was granted patent number 37727.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for improvements to the inking, dampening, and tympan apparatus in a scraper machine. The invention was granted patent number 37727.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1863
date made
ca 1863
patent date
1863-02-17
maker
Reynolds, George H.
ID Number
GA.89797.037727
accession number
89797
patent number
037727
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a printing press for printing railroad tickets which was granted patent number 38781.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a printing press for printing railroad tickets which was granted patent number 38781. The press carried two or more reciprocating "heads," each with a form of type, and an inking apparatus capable of inking each form in a different color. Printing was on a roll of paper or card, which was cut into strips after printing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1863
patent date
1863-06-02
maker
Baker, William H.
Hill, George J.
ID Number
GA.89797.038781
patent number
038781
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.038781
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an apparatus for feeding sheets or blanks into an envelope-making machine; the invention was granted patent number 39872.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an apparatus for feeding sheets or blanks into an envelope-making machine; the invention was granted patent number 39872.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1863
patent date
1863-09-15
maker
Allen, Edwin
ID Number
GA.89797.039872
accession number
089797
patent number
039872
catalog number
GA*89797.039872
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an apparatus for type rubbing which was granted patent number 39940. It was particularly applicable to the type-dressing machine patented by Daniel Moore in 1855.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an apparatus for type rubbing which was granted patent number 39940. It was particularly applicable to the type-dressing machine patented by Daniel Moore in 1855.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1863
patent date
1863-09-15
patentee
Moore, William
ID Number
GA.89797.039946
patent number
039946
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.039946
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a mold for casting multiple pieces of type from a strip of matrices; the invention was granted patent number 40076.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a mold for casting multiple pieces of type from a strip of matrices; the invention was granted patent number 40076.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1863
patent date
1863-09-22
maker
Davis, R. W.
Davis, D.
ID Number
GA.89797.040076
patent number
040076
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.040076

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