An Affixing Machine is a machine that affixes postage stamp

Postage stamp

A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...

s to an envelope

Envelope

An envelope is a common packaging item, usually made of thin flat material. It is designed to contain a flat object, such as a letter or card....

, postcard

Postcard

A postcard or post card is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope....

 or wrapper

Wrapper

Wrapper generally refers to a type of packaging, such as a flat sheet made out of paper, cellophane or plastic to enclose an object.Wrapper may also refer to:* Wrapper , a woman's garment which is worn over nightwear or lingerie...

. The first affixing machines appeared in the 1850s but were not widely used until the early 20th century. There were also much larger floor models produced for this purpose. Stamp affixer machines were brought about by the need to mechanically affix stamps for bulk processing of mail

Bulk mail

Bulk mail broadly refers to mail that is mailed and processed in bulk at reduced rates. The term does not denote any particular purpose for the mail; but in general usage is synonymous with "junk mail."...

. A secondary reason for the machines was to make the theft of stamps more difficult for employees with access to large inventory of coils.

External links

• Private Perforations on U.S. Vending and Affixing Machine Coil Stamps
• The Story of the Private Perforation Companies: Illustrated coil stamp affixing and vending machines