Object number
60/16/1-3
Title
The Novelty Paper Fastener,
Creator
Description
An early stapler, 'The Novelty Paper Fastener', made by the Patent Novelty Manufacturing Company. Box contains a ‘driver’ and a ‘clincher’.
This is an early form of office stapler, 'The Novelty Paper Fastener', made by the Patent Novelty Manufacturing Company, and patented in both 1866 and 1880. The green box contains a ‘driver’ and a ‘clincher’. In early staplers such this, only one staple could be added at a time. The driver would force the staple through the paper, and the staple was bent by hand using the clincher. The development of staplers took off with the industrialisation of paper-making in the mid-nineteenth century.
Physical description
1 stapler (consisting of two parts) with box: metal; cardboard; good condition- box quite worn[cont'd]...rectangular box in green cardboard, inscribed: 'The Novelty Paper Fastener, patented Aug. 7 1866, patented Apr. 13 1880, reissue pending, patented in Europe'; inscription on staple driver: 'Novelty, pat'd Aug. 7 1866, Apl. 13 1880'; inscription on staple clincher: 'Pat. April 1880'.
Archival history
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'Standard museum name: … // Accession number: … // Classification: … // Negative number: … // Acquisition method: … // Acquired from: … // Date: … // Store: … // Condition: … // Recorder: … // Date: … // Description: Box – green cardboard. Lid inscription: “The Novelty Paper Fastener. Patented Aug. 7, 1866. Patented April. 13, 1880. Reissue Pending. Patented in Europe”. // Inside lid – instructions on use. // Staple driver – two parts slotted together. Measurements in inches written on one side, as is “Novelty Pat’d Aug. 7, 1866, Apr. 13, 1880”. // Staple cruncher – covered in black. Rocker movement on top, sprung by visible strip of metal. Underneath; inscription “Pat. April 1880”. // Dimensions: Box 5.4cm x 3.9cm x 11.9cm. Driver, 10cm long, 11.5cm when extended. 0.8cm wide. Disc on top 2.7cm diameter. Clincher 11.5cm long, 2.5cm wide. // Associated information: This is an example of one of the early forms of office stapler. Each staple was put in separately, as its use was required. // References: …'
Production date
1880-04-13
Object name
Material
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_3552.tif - High resolution image
