William Avery's Original Letters Patent No. 2007
In August 2019 photographs were taken of William Avery's original Letters Patent No. 2007 which was recently acquired by the Forge Mill Needle Museum in Redditch, UK.
According to Wikipedia, “a Letters Patent is a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch, president, or other head of state, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation. It is essential that the written grant be in the form of a public document so other inventors can consult it to avoid infringement and also to understand how to "practice" the invention, i.e., put it into practical use.” During the 19th Century, the Letters Patent document was placed in a small box and the originator's seal was attached to the document so that it did not have to be broken in order for the document to be read.
The Letters Patent shown here was granted by Queen Victoria to William Avery on July 9, 1867 during the 31st year of her Reign. The photographs below include the original box, the originators seal that was attached to it and several views of the document.
Letters Patent No. 2007 in it's orignal box.
Close up of Letters Patent No. 2007 in it's orignal box.
Starting to unfold Letters Patent No. 2007.
Originators seal attached to Letters Patent No. 2007.
Close up of the originators seal.
Partially unfolded.
Unfolded.
Detail view.
Detail view.
Detail View.
Detail View.
Detail view.
Detail view.
