C.O.C.A. Times

Note the large advertising frame attached to the top of the machine in Fig 1. This was used to sell advertis-
ing space to various businesses thereby allowing the vending company and the store keeper to sell the stamps at
face value as a service to the customers. This machine might have sold 5¢ in stamps for a nickel. The company
could also sell advertising space on each "pocket". Naturally without the advertising income the operator would
sell stamps at the currently vended market value in 1909 and later.
Since there is currently no known
sample of a "pocket"(a difficult search),
I have had to take measurements of the
working mechanism and operational
systems of the machine. When a nickel
is inserted and the hand crank is turned
it will advance a main cam. On this cam
there are 4 tapered posts, centered on the
cam, spaced approximately 36 millime-
ters (mm) apart. Each post is 4 mm high,
5 mm wide at the base and 2 mm at the
top, (Figure 7).
Figure 7
The sidewise strip has to have a center perforated hole separating each "pocket" which must be at least 5 mm.
The length of each "pocket" is 36 mm and 26 mm high. This size "pocket" is enough to place either a regular
or commemorative issued stamp. When the stamps were placed in each "pocket", a single flap was then folded
over the edges to contain the items in the "pocket" , (Figures 3 and 4). The strip had to be rolled onto a bobbin
and placed in the machine. It is unknown what number of "pockets" would fit in the machine.
After the strip was advanced one "pocket" length, a knife would be released to cut the strip and dispense
the "pocket".
I believe it will be very hard to find the "pocket" used for this machine even it has copy printed on it.
If anyone else has further information on this device, please let me know.
Reference:
1. George Howard, The Stamp Machines and Coiled Stamps, 1943, H.L.Linquist Publications, New York, NY
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