An Edwardian silver combined Lantz Patent stamp dispenser and moistener, the screw-top reservoir above a vertical shaft and rectangular-shaped dispenser below enclosing a star-shaped plunger, by William Hornby, London 1902, stamped ‘PATENT’ and retailed by Asprey, height 8.0cm. £280-£320

The design was patented in the United States on 5 August 1890 by Benjamin Lantz (Ref US433734A), and described as a ‘Device for Carrying and Affixing Stamps’, Patent Reference No. 433734.

The sprung plunger dispenses the stamp from within the rectangular base, after it has been moistened by the sprinkler at the top of shaft.