Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 August 1884 — ENVELOPES BY THE MILLION. [ARTICLE]

ENVELOPES BY THE MILLION.

Interesting Facts Connected with Their Maaufscture —Ten Millions a Day Made. Millions of envelopes were piled up in all kinds of packages when a reporter entered the establishment of a leading down-town manufactory. Ascending to the second story, under the guidance of the proprietor, hundreds of girls were found seated at curiously constructed machines. Piles of paper, cut into the requisite size, were passed through the neat-looking instruments, and came forth folded, gummed, and ready for use, at the rate of eighty per minute. After witnessing the remarkable performance of these machines, the reporter was entertained by the following remarks by the enthusiastic envelope man : “Until the invention of the machine which you see before you, the manufacture of envelopes was by no means perfect. Improvements have been going on constantly ever since the Japanese first used envelopes as inclosures for perfumes, etc. The Leader, by which name the most perfect machine ever invented is known, is used in many countries, and will probably continue the most perfect piece of mechanism for the manufacture of envelopes ever devised. The contractors for the post-al-stamped envelopes also use this machine, with an attachment which prints and stamps the envelope at the same time at the rate of about 2,000 an hour.” Following the speaker through the big warehouse, the writer was shown envelopes of every description. “Here yon have,” said the former, “an envelope known as commercial pattern, made of Manilla rope, engine sized, machine and loft dried. The same is made of linen, bond, and other coarse papers. Here is a lot known in the trade as legal, portfolio, document, safety, embossed, opaque, silvered, cold edge, square, oblong. Here you have various styles of wedding envelopes, suitable for the poor clerk or laboring man with a salary of $3 a week, up to the Fifth avenue millionaire whose income is computed by the millions. Look at these mourning envelopes; notice the width of the black border, running all the way from one-sixteenth of an inch up to two inches. The former are used as tributes to distant or poor relatives. Those with the widest black border are in good demand for those who mourn the loss of a rich uncle or grandfather. Those who have been w r ell provided for in last wills and testaments use these largely. Here you see an assortment of envelopes of all sizes, such as are used by druggists; next we have what is known as epistolary. Notice these high stacks of inelosures on your left. They are known as pay envelopes, and are used for paying off wages in large establishments. Here are various grades of cloth-lined envelopes, and there are what is known as money and express brand. Those of aesthetic tastes make use of the lace envelope, and that pile there contains two millions of inclosures known as valentine, which are used annually about Feb. 14. We have, too, envelopes made especially for the transmission of cigars, flour, grain, and patterns of dry goods through the mails.” “Do styles vary often ?” “No. There is no vacillation in styles with us. ” “Give me some figures touching on the manufacture of envelopes.” “The manufacture of envelopes in this country is about 10,000,000 a day. These are consumed principally in the United States. Some are sent to Canada, South America, Mexico, West Indies, and Australia. At one time shipments were made to Liverpool. Now they are buying our improved machinery, and are manufacturing themselves. Many envelopes of American manufacture have been sent to Russia and other foreign countries. With our improved machinery and cheap paper, we can successfully compete with any foreign country.” “How do prices range?” “You can buy ordinary letter envelopes as low as 50 cents a thousand. They have been made as low as 30 cents a thousand.” “Where are envelopes chiefly made ?” “In this city and in New England. Some, too, are made in Philadelphia. ” Pierson commenced the manufacture of envelopes in this country in 1843. He became discouraged, and gave up the business. Jacob Berlin followed him three years later. He was successful, and the trade in the United States was firmly established. — New York Mail and Express.