Object number
60/16/1-3
Title
The Novelty Paper Fastener,
Creator
Description
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
