As weather-proof, and consequently health-preserving soles for boots and shoes, gutta-percha most assuredly stands unrivalled. The application of this material to heels has not hitherto been equally successful, from its being unequal to withstand the vast amount of wear and tear, to which this part of our understanding is subjected, one consequence of which is liability to spread, and become worn and ragged on its edges. For this defect, however, an efficient remedy has been provided in the compound heel tips, invented by Mr. B. Tyler, of Sheffield, and manufactured under Messrs. Hancock & Co.’s patent. The frame or border of this improved steel tip consists of a rim of cast iron or steel, furnished with tangs or projections. This frame is filled up with a tough compound of gutta-percha and cork, which encloses the tangs. The heel thus formed, requires no nailing to affix it to the boot or shoe, a coating of solution being sufficient for that purpose. Thus arranged, the metal and gutta-percha mutually aid and support each other; no spreading can take place, nor can the edges become worn or ragged. These tips never become loose, neither are they liable to become slippery. Having worn them for more than two years, I can with confidence assert them to be the best contrivance extant for the purpose. * * *
I am, Sir, yours &c.
William Baddeley,
29 Alfred Street, Islington.
Edward John Paine, Chancery Lane, London. For improvements in marine vessels, in apparatus for the preservation of human life, and moulding, joining and finishing hollow and solid figures, composed wholly or in part of a certain gum, or a combination of a certain gum; also for improvements in dissolving the aforesaid gums, and in apparatus or machinery to be used for the purposes above mentioned. Patent dated June 7, 1849.
A Water Proof Varnish.—Mix together 1 lb. gutta-percha, 3 oz. gum opal, ½ lb. linseed oil, 8 oz. sugar of lead, 2 lbs. spirits of turpentine. Place the mixture in a tincture press, the cylinder of which is heated by a sand bath, and the produce is the varnish required.
A varnish with which colors may be mixed, and very suitable for coating articles in gutta-percha.—Take 100 lbs. gutta-percha, 18 lbs. 12 oz. gum opal, 50 lbs. linseed oil, 200 lbs. spirits of turpentine, and mix the whole together.
A varnish for unpainted articles in rough wood.—Take 50 lbs. India-rubber, 100 lbs. gutta-percha, 30 lbs. gum opal, 70 lbs. gum damar, 150 lbs. linseed oil, 75 lbs. sugar of lead, 500 lbs. spirits of turpentine.
A varnish for articles of metal.—Take 100 lbs. gutta-percha, 20 lbs. gum opal, 75 lbs. linseed oil, 25 lbs. sugar of lead, 200 lbs. spirits of turpentine.