=HELIO PROCESS.=[F]
[Footnote F: It has been thought advisable to publish in this work
the _Helio Process_, and I do so just as it appeared in _Humphrey's
Journal_.--S. D. H.]
An Entire Process for Producing Collodion Positives and Negatives with
one Bath, and in much less time than by any other known Process.--By
Helio.--Photographic Patents.
Boston, Oct., 1856.
S. D. Humphrey.
_Sir_,--As _Humphrey's Journal_ is the only truly progressive and
independent Photographic publication in America, I feel it the duty of
every one to aid its Editor in furthering the interest of the amateur and
practitioner of the art; and, suiting the action to the word, I present
the following Process as being worthy of confidence, and having, in my
hands, proved eminently satisfactory. I am surprised to see that Operators
and men respectably connected with the practice of the Art should so far
fall beneath the station of true artists as to advertise to catch each
other, or the verdant ones, by offering this or that little improvement
all "printed complete for five dollars." As an amateur, and having the
good of the science I love at heart, I now contribute my mite for the
benefit of all interested; and, following the glorious example of G. B.
C. (who I hope we shall soon hear from again,) in your last, I say--God
speed!
I shall endeavor to be as minute and concise as possible, so as to enable
any one to adopt and successfully use my processes.
_Preparation of Soluble Cotton._--I put into a Wedgewood mortar, twelve
ounces, by weight, of dry and finely pulverized nitrate of potash (I
use Dupont's refined), and add to it twelve ounces, by measure, of good
commercial sulphuric acid; I mix these well together by the use of a glass
rod and pestle, so that it forms a paste; I then add, in small quantities
at a time, about 325 grains of good coarse cotton (this is according to
your process), and _knead_ the mass well for from three to five minutes;
and then cover the mortar with a piece of glass, and let it stand for
twenty or thirty minutes, by which time it will have been sufficiently
acted upon. Then the cotton is to be plunged into a quantity of clean
water and thoroughly washed in a number of changes of water, so that when
it is squeezed between the folds of blue litmus-paper it will not redden
it; this indicates that the acid has been washed out; I then place the
cotton in a clean strong towel and wring out all the water I can, then put
it into alcohol, then wring it again, and adopt your plan of not letting
it become thoroughly dry.
The cotton being now ready for use, I dissolve it in the following
mixture, in a bottle of proper size:--
Sulphuric ether 10 ounces.
Alcohol, 95 per cent. 5 ounces.
Soluble cotton, enough to make it about as
thick as cream.
The above should be well shaken, and then allowed to stand for one or two
days to settle. This constitutes my Plain Collodion, and should be poured
off into another bottle, leaving the sediment behind.
_Iodizing._--For this purpose I employ the following preparation:--
_A._--_Iodide of Silver._--Dissolve fifty grains of nitrate of silver,
crystals, in two ounces of pure water, and forty grains of iodide of
ammonium in two ounces of pure water; then pour the two together, shaking
the mixture well; let it settle, which it will do in a few minutes; then
pour off the water carefully, leaving behind all the yellow iodide of
silver; pour again a fresh quantity of water over the precipitate, and
continue this washing for at least six changes of water; then drain off
the water as close as possible and pour on two ounces of alcohol, which,
when drained off, will leave the powder sufficiently clean for the purpose.
_B._--I now dissolve forty grains of bromide of ammonium and one hundred
grains of iodide of ammonium in two ounces of 95 per cent, alcohol, and
then add the iodide of silver (preparation _A_), and shake the whole well
together, giving a saturated solution. This is to be filtered through
cotton or paper, when it will be ready for use.
_C._--To sixteen ounces of Plain Collodion add from eight to twelve drops
of tincture of iodine (50 grains of dry iodine dissolved in half an oz. of
alcohol) and 14 grains or drops of fluoride of ammonium; shake the mixture
well; then add all of the solution _B_; shake it again and thoroughly;
after this has stood for twenty-four hours it can be used, but will be
found better after it has been prepared one week.
Nitrate of Silver Solution.
Pure rain or distilled water 64 ounces.
Nitrate of silver (in crystals) 4-1/4 ounces.
Clean pure white sugar 75 grains.
Six grains of iodide of ammonium dissolved in
half a drachm of alcohol.
The above, thoroughly mixed and allowed to stand for a few hours, should
be filtered through a new clean sponge, asbestos, or Swedish filtering
paper, and then a few drops of nitric acid, chemically pure, should be
added, just enough to redden blue litmus-paper; then it is ready for use,
and will improve by age.
_Developing Solution._--This formula has proved very satisfactory in my
hands, and I hope will be equally so with all who give it a trial:--
Water 1 pint.
Boracic acid 3/4 ounce.
Protosulphate of iron 3/4 ounce.
Pulverized nitre 1/2 ounce
Three drops of oil of cinnamon dissolved in two
ounces of alcohol.
Dissolve and filter, and it is ready for use. It is better to make this
developer fresh every other day.
_Dissolving off the Iodide of Silver._--Water, about half a pint; cyanide
of potassium, enough to clear the impression in about thirty seconds--say
a quarter of an ounce.
_Fixing the Impression._--I use the article well known to every good
photographer as Humphrey's Collodion Gilding, and it serves the purpose
better than anything that I I know of.
_Black Varnish._--I generally purchase this from the dealer; but I have
made an article which answered the purpose well, by dissolving pulverized
asphaltum in spirits of turpentine. Any of the black varnishes can be
improved by the addition of a little bees'-wax to it. It is less liable to
crack and gives an improved gloss.
_Negative and Printing Processes._--Being myself an amateur, and desiring
to study economy and convenience, my attention has been given to the test
of numerous plans for avoiding the necessity of two baths and silvering
solutions and I feel confident that the amateur will find the following,
in connection with the foregoing Positive Process, the best adapted to his
wants.
The same bath and solution is used for the negative as for the positive
process; and the time of exposure in the camera should be prolonged a few
seconds. I have produced beautiful negatives, in-doors, in _four seconds_,
and, out-doors, _instantaneously_. The manipulation, bath, and developing
solution are precisely the same as those used in the positive process.
_Fixing the Negative._--Place the following mixture in a well-stoppered
bottle:
Pure Water 6 ounces.
Aqua-ammonia, concentrated 1 ounce.
This solution should be poured on the negative and allowed to remain for
about twenty seconds. It should be borne in mind, that the developing
solution (same as for positives) should be well washed off the glass
before the fixing solution is poured over; after it has remained on the
glass for the time given (20 seconds), the negative can be washed with
clean water and dried; it is then ready for printing. The iodide of
silver is not, as in other processes, dissolved off, but remains on the
glass.
It sometimes happens that the negative is not sufficiently intense; this
result can be obtained by pouring over the plate the following solution,
which should remain for about three-fourths of a minute:
Water 8 ounces.
Nitrate of silver 28 grains.
Alcohol 1 ounce.
Loaf sugar 1/3 ounce
After this solution is used, I pour over the impression the developing
solution, and then wash well with water. This re-developing may be
repeated two or three times, and almost any desired intensity obtained.
_Printing Process--Salting the Paper._--Boil the following mixture in an
earthen vessel until it becomes transparent:--
Distilled water 12 ounces.
Muriate of ammonia 240 grains.
Arrowroot 112 grains.
After this has been sufficiently boiled, it should be strained through
clean linen or cotton cloth (free from soap or other substances), and,
when cool, it is ready for coating the paper, which is done by dipping a
new clean sponge into it and rubbing it over one side of the paper, giving
it a uniform coating; but as it is not desirable to have too much on the
paper, it should be rubbed with a clean sponge until nearly dry; it can
then be hung up by the corner until thoroughly dry, when it can be put
into a portfolio and kept for exciting for use.
_Silvering Solution._--This solution may be prepared in the light, but
must be used in a dark room:--
Distilled water 1 pint.
Nitrate of silver 3-3/4 ounces.
Dissolve and pour into an earthen or gutta-percha dish. Take the paper
(cut to the proper size) and _float_ it on this solution for about three
minutes; care must be observed that there are no air-bubbles between the
solution and the paper, for this would cause spots. It now can be hung up
to dry, and as soon as dry it may be used. Let me here repeat, that this
operation must be conducted in a dark room.
_Fixing and Toning Bath._--I find that a better effect is produced if the
positive be a little over-printed before being acted upon by the following
mixture:--
Distilled water 8 ounces.
Chloride of sodium 240 grains.
This solution should be put into a flat dish and the print placed on it,
face down, for from one and a-half to three minutes, when it should be
taken off and put into the following solution, and allowed to remain there
from three quarters of an hour to two hours:--
Distilled water 18 ounces.
Hyposulphite of soda 3 ounces.
Nitrate of silver 60 grains.
The following method should be observed in preparing this last mixture,
viz.:--dissolve the three ounces of hyposulphite of soda in _sixteen_
ounces of the water and the sixty grains of nitrate of silver in the
remaining two ounces; then pour the nitrate of silver solution into that
containing the hyposulphite of soda, stirring the mixture continually
until all is well mixed.
After the print has remained in the toning solution for the specified
time, it should be taken out and well washed in several changes of clean
water, and dried and mounted in any of the usual ways.
With a few general remarks I will close this, perhaps, too long
communication. It should be a point in the practice of every one who
desires success in any process, to maintain a strict observance to
cleanliness; this is one point in which most persons fail, and it cannot
be too strongly impressed upon the minds of manipulators. It should be
understood that the foregoing process is _complete in itself_, and is not
to be confounded with any other method. The _collodion_ is adapted for
the _nitrate of silver bath_, and the _bath_ for the _collodion_; and no
one should use other preparations of collodion and silvering solution,
except they do so with the full expectation that it will be at the _loss
of either or both of the preparations employed_.
Allow me, through the columns of your invaluable Journal, to say to
those who may read the foregoing process, that if they find (as I have)
my process to prove profitable to them, I shall consider myself amply
repaid if they will, through the same medium, contribute to our stock
of information by giving an account of their experiments. I feel quite
confident that some of the amateurs, with whose reputation I am already
acquainted, and of whose private works in photography America has cause to
feel proud,--could furnish interesting, useful and valuable information
upon this subject. Such men, for instance, as G. B. C, of Md. (who has
already made a good beginning), G. W. D., of the same place, and Mr. G.
G., of Pa. Friends and co-laborers, shall we hear from you? I pause for a
reply!
I look with interest upon every stroke of the pen from your able
correspondent G. M., of Washington, whose specimens of photographic
engraving you recently had the kindness to show me. I assure you, it did
not a little astonish me to witness the surprising truthfulness with which
the details were presented.
Helio.
=CORRESPONDENCE=
BETWEEN THE U. S. COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS AND JAMES A. CUTTING, RELATIVE
TO HIS APPLICATIONS FOR LETTERS PATENT.
United States Patent Office, April 17, 1854.
Sir: Your application for letters patent for an alleged improvement
in making photographic pictures, having been submitted to the proper
examiner, is rejected. As the use of alcohol to absorb water in hasty
desiccation is understood to be commonly practical in most chemical
laboratories, no reference is thought necessary for the rejection of the
first claim.
Secondly, the mixture of alcohol and ether in unlimited proportions to
dissolve gun cotton for photographic purposes, is common. [_See_ Gaudin's
Process, "Humphrey's Daguerreian Journal," vol. 4, p. 229.]
Thirdly, collodion with bromide basis, is not new. [_See_ General Remarks
on Collodion, by Gaudin, "Photographic Art Journal," 1st Series, vol. 6,
p. 348.]
The two articles above referred to are translated from the French, and
contain also, it is believed, sufficient to show that the subject of the
fourth claim has been anticipated, rendering further reference unnecessary.
Respectfully yours, &c.,
S. F. Shugert, Acting Commissioner.
J. A. Cutting (care of C. G. Page), Washington, D. C.
* * * * *
Jane 17, 1854.
Sir: In regard to the use of bromide bases with collodion, I am prepared
to show that I had it in successful use in the month of April, 1853;
and if the circumstances require legal proof of the same, it will be
furnished, though at some expense of time and money to me; and as the
question is only between the public and myself, I trust the office will
see fit to grant me a patent for the same.
James A. Cutting.
Hon. Chas. Mason, Commissioner of Patents.
* * * * *
United States Patent Office, April 19, 1854.
Sir: In your letter of the 17th, you say that, if necessary, proof can
be given that you had in successful use, in the month of April, 1853,
collodion prepared with a bromide oasis. On referring to the "Journal of
the Photographic Society," of London, No. 6 (June, 1853), page 70, you
will see that Sir John Herschel used bromide for the same purpose previous
to the year 1840. Ammonia, in various combinations, has long been in use
for the preparation of sensitive collodions. [_See_ Report of the British
Association, 1850, p. 150, "Journal of the Photographic Society" No. 9,
1853, p. 116.] F. M. Lyndes' process and compositions show that he has
used iodine, bromide, and chloride of ammonium; and Count de Montegon, in
the same journal, No. 2, April, 1853; page 24, for his fifth composition
of collodion, used liquid ammonia. These are all regarded as equivalents
for your compositions covered by the fourth claim; if, however, there is
a difference, you are at liberty to show in what it consists; and the
examination is accordingly postponed to await your action.
Yours, &c.,
C. Mason, Commissioner.
J. A. Cutting (care of C. G. Page), Washington, D. C.
* * * * *
Washington, June 21, 1854.
Sir: In reply to your communications of the 19th instant, and April 17th,
1854, I propose to modify my claims as follows, to wit:
After the first clause of the claim, nineteenth line, ending with the
words "set forth," add as follows: "I do not claim the use of alcohol as a
_desiccating agent_, but limit my claim to its special use and purpose, as
herein stated."
Erase the fourth clause of the claim, commencing on the twenty-sixth line,
and ending with the words "set forth" on the thirtieth line.
In reply to the objection raised by the office that "bromide was used
in 1840," I have to say that I was fully aware of the employment of
bromide in various ways for photographic purposes, and that I have also,
in common with photographers, known the extreme difficulty of using
bromide, and that notwithstanding the sensitiveness imparted by bromide
to other compounds, it has been almost universally discarded by practical
photographers. The discovery of collodion as a vehicle for sensitive
materials is of recent date, and there seems to have been a backwardness
on the part of photographers to attempt bromide bases with collodion, and
so far, whatever trials have been made subsequent to my discovery, it is
evident that they have been attended with the results of "misty pictures."
To whatever my success may be due, I maintain that I have been the first
to use a bromide base with collodion--and with that only do I claim
it--and the results in my pictures show with what success.
Respectfully,
James A. Cutting,
By Att'y, Chas. G. Page.
Hon. Chas. Mason, Commissioner of Patents.
* * * * *
United States Patent Office, June 21, 1854.
Sir: Your specification of an improvement in composition for producing
photographic pictures is herewith returned for a slight amendment, which
is, to omit the reference to specimens which do not accompany the patent,
and to correct an error in the oath as noted on the margin.
Yours, &c.,
C. Mason, Commissioner.
James A. Cutting, 142 Hanover st.; Boston, Mass.
* * * * *
United States Patent Office, June 22, 1854.
Sir: By reading a paper by Mr. W. Crookes in the "Journal of the
Photographic Society, London," No. 7, p. 86, "on the employment of bromine
in collodion," it is believed you will be satisfied that the date there
given on which he used bromized collodion is prior to your claim to
having used it; he refers to p. 72, No, 6, published in June, 1853, for
experiments made with bromized collodion, which paper is dated June 2d,
1853. Mr. Isaac Rehn, of Philadelphia, has testified to having seen you
make use of a bromide base, viz., bromide of potassium and collodion,
about the 1st of July, 1853, or about one month after the date of Mr.
Crookes' paper in England. The specification is accordingly returned, that
you may cancel the fourth claim, and amend the papers to suit.
Yours, &c.,
C. Mason, Commissioner.
Mr. J. A. Cutting, (care of C. G. Page), Washington, D. C.
* * * * *
PATENT FOR THE USE OF CAMPHOR IN COMBINATION WITH IODIZED COLLODION.
The schedule referred to in the Letters Patent, and making part of the
same.
_To whom it may concern:_
Be it known, that I, James A. Cutting, of the City of Boston, County
of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful
improvement in positive photographic pictures on glass, and I do hereby
declare the following to be an exact description thereof:
The nature of my invention consists in the use of gum camphor, in addition
to the existing materials in the preparation of collodion for positive
photographic pictures on glass.
To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will
proceed to describe the process as follows:
Having prepared the collodion in the usual manner, I take a pint bottle,
in which I introduce twelve ounces of collodion, to which I add one drachm
of iodide of potassium, dissolved in alcohol. I then shake the mixture
thoroughly, and add thereto eighteen grains of refined gum camphor,
shaking the mixture again, until the whole is combined, then allow it to
settle, when it is lit for use.
The advantages of my improvement consist in the increased vigor of the
delineations of the half-tones of positive pictures on glass, giving
greater depth and rotundity thereto, which render this combination
exceedingly useful for microscopic pictures, as well as the ordinary
purposes of portraiture.
T would have it understood that the combination of camphor with iodide
of potassium and collodion, as above specified, is adapted solely to the
production of positive pictures on glass and not to the production of
negative pictures on glass, from which positive pictures on paper may be
printed, as a sufficient degree of opacity is not thus afforded for that
purpose.
What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is
the use of camphor, in combination with iodized collodion, as set forth in
the specification.
James A. Cutting.
Samuel Grubb, } _Witnesses._
I. Rehn. }
_Dated, July 4th, 1854._
* * * * *
PATENT FOR THE USE OF BALSAM FOR SEALING PHOTOGRAPHIC PICTURES ON GLASS.
The schedule referred to in Letters Patent and making part of the same.
_To whom it may concern:_
Be it known that I, James A. Cutting, of Boston, in the County of Suffolk
and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful improvements in
photographic pictures on glass, and I do hereby declare the following to
be an exact description thereof:
The nature of my improvement consists in the application of a coating of
balsam of fir to the side of the glass on which the picture is made, over
which coating I place another glass of equal size with the one on which
the picture is.
To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will
proceed to describe the process as follows:
After thoroughly cleaning a glass plate of the same size as that on which
the picture to be secured is made, and moving all dust from the picture,
I hold the glass containing the picture in a horizontal position with the
pictured side uppermost, then apply the balsam in a line along one edge
of the glass and placing one edge of the second glass in close contact
with the first, containing the balsam, press them gradually together
towards the opposite edge, causing the balsam to flow by a gentle pressure
towards the opposite edge, in this manner excluding all air from between
the glasses; then by an even pressure exclude the superabundant balsam.
The advantages of my improvements are, that by a mechanical combination
of the balsam with the picture it is greatly increased in strength and
beauty, by an additional brilliancy and the exhibition of the most minute
delineations; and by the application of the second glass in combination
with the balsam, the picture is hermetically sealed and rendered entirely
permanent, by being secured from the influence of both air and moisture,
and also from injury by dust or other extraneous matter, or acid vapors,
or any violence less than what could occasion the fracture of the plate
glass.
I am aware of the previous use of balsam for the cementing of lenses and
the securing of microscopic objects, and other like purposes, and do not
therefore extend my claim to any of these uses; but
What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is
the combination of balsam with photographic pictures on glass, and with
additional glass by which they; with the balsam, are hermetically sealed,
as described in the specifications; and for the purposes therein set
forth, and for no other.
James A. Cutting.
Issac Rehn, } _Witnesses._
Samuel Grubb. }
_Dated July 11th, 1854._
* * * * *
PATENT FOR DISPLACING WATER FROM SOLUBLE COTTON BY THE USE OF ALCOHOL;
ALSO, FOR THE USE OF BROMIDE OF POTASSIUM IN COMBINATION WITH COLLODION.
The schedule referred to in these Letters Patent, and making part of the
same.
_To all to whom these presents shall come:_
Be it known that I, James A. Cutting, of Boston, in the County of Suffolk
and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain improvements in making
photographic pictures, and that the following is a full, clear and exact
description of the principle or character which distinguishes them
from all other things before known, and of the usual manner of making,
modifying, and using the same.
My improvements relate to that class of photographic pictures in which the
pictures are obtained upon a prepared film of glass or other substance.
The film which I employ is collodion, and in order to insure success, the
collodion must be prepared after my own process, as follows: Take 3 ounces
(Troy) of pure dry nitrate potassa, and pulverize in a clean glass mortar;
add to this 2-1/2 ounces, fluid measure, of pure sulphuric acid, and stir
the mixture with a glass rod; immerse in this liquid, 80 grains of clean,
dry cotton, and knead the mass of cotton in the liquid for about Ave
minutes; remove the cotton and quickly wash it, till every trace of acid
is gone, and it must then be dried quickly--for I have discovered that the
more rapidly the cotton is dried, the more sensitive the collodion; and
I have found the best effects produced by displacing the water from the
cotton by strong alcohol.
To prepare the collodion, take 10 ounces concentrated sulphuric ether, 60°
Baumé, and mix this with 6 ounces of 95 per cent. alcohol. To this mixture
add the prepared cotton, in quantity sufficient to make a collodion as
thick as it can, and yet at the same time flow evenly over the surface of
glass. Let it settle clear, and decant the solution.
In order to "excite" this collodion, take a deep 1 ounce vial--introduce
2-1/2 grains of bromide of potassium, and add water, drop by drop, to make
a saturated solution. In this solution dissolve 2-1/2 grains of iodide of
potassium, then add 1 ounce of collodion, and shake well. Let it settle
clear and decant for use.
The solution must be decanted every day. In order to make the most
sensitive collodion, I dissolve the bromide and iodide of potassium and
the collodion[G] in a saturated solution of carbonate of ammonia in water.
In using this collodion, pour it upon a clean glass plate to form a film
in the usual way, and as soon as the collodion has set, and before it
becomes dry, immerse the plate in a bath of nitrate of silver, made with
30 grains of nitrate of silver, 2 grains of iodide of silver, and 1 ounce
water. Take the plate directly from the bath to the camera, and after
sufficient exposure, the plate is taken to a dark room to develope the
impression with the following solution: 'Take pyrogallic acid, 4 grains;
acetic acid, No. 8, 1 ounce; dissolve and filter. For use, take of this
liquid 1-1/2 drachms, diluted with 6-1/2 drachms of water, and when the
impression is sufficiently developed, pour off the liquid, and immerse the
plate in a solution of the hyposulphite of soda, 4 ounces to the pint of
water. Wash the plate with pure water, and dry it in the usual way.
[Footnote G: This is a mistake: the collodion is not to be dissolved in
the "carbonate of ammonia in water," but only the bromide and iodide of
potassium. I called Mr. Cutting's attention to this, and he said I was
correct.--S. D. H.]
The advantages of the above process are, the brief time required to
produce an impression, and the sharpness of the pictures. Portraits can be
taken with as much facility as with the Daguerreotype, and the pictures
are sharp and of excellent tone. The impression thus obtained is negative,
and the positive picture is produced in the usual way. I denominate this
the mezzographic process.
What I claim as my improvements in the process of obtaining photographic
pictures, are--
_First._ Displacing the water from the cotton, for this purpose, with
strong alcohol, as set forth. I do not claim the use of alcohol as a
desiccating agent, but limit my claim to its special use and purpose, as
herein stated.
_Second._ The employment of bromide of potassium in combination with
collodion.
James A. Cutting.
T. Campbell, } _Witnesses._
Samuel Grubb. }
_Dated July 11th, 1854._
* * * * *
PATENT FOR THE USE OF JAPANNED SURFACES PREVIOUSLY PREPARED UPON IRON OR
OTHER METALLIC OR MINERAL SHEETS OR PLATES IN THE COLLODION PROCESS.
_To all whom it may concern:_
Be it known that I, Hamilton L. Smith, of Gambier, in the County of Knox,
and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful improvements in
Photographic Pictures, and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,
clear, and exact description of the same, and of the manner of making and
using my invention or discovery.
The nature of my invention or discovery relates to the taking of
_positive_ pictures by the photographic process, upon a black japanned
surface prepared upon iron or any other metallic plates or sheets, and
consists in the use of collodion, and a solution of a salt of silver, and
an ordinary camera.
To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention. I
will proceed to describe the manner of preparing and applying it which
I have found to answer well in practice; not confining myself, however,
to the special process or processes herein described, so long as the
characteristics of the invention remain the same.
I first take metallic sheets, preferring for the purpose iron, as this
metal is the only one, except the precious metals, which is without action
on the silver salts generally used, as also the other chemicals; but other
metallic or mineral sheets may be used, and I do not, therefore, confine
myself specially to any particular metal. Upon each of the sheets is
prepared a black japanned or varnished surface, such as is used by tinners
or japanners for coating metallic and other surfaces. The japan or varnish
may be made and applied as follows:--Take one quart of raw linseed oil;
add to this two ounces of asphaltum and sufficient umber, or lamp black,
to give the desired shade. Boil these ingredients until a portion dropped
on a cool surface will remain in a round spot without flowing away. It
is then thick enough to use. If it should be too thick, it can readily
be thinned with spirits of turpentine. Apply the japan to the sheets or
plates with a brush, and after allowing it to stand a short time, until
the marks of the brush disappear, place the sheets or plates in a drying
oven and submit them to heat until the surface will bear the finger to be
drawn over it without bringing off the japan; it may, if found necessary,
be coated again and treated in a similar way, and finally polished with
rotten-stone and oil, or other polishing material. Other ingredients may
be used in making the japan, such as mastic, lac or copal varnish, and
other shades of coloring matter may be used.
By collodion I mean any solution of gun-cotton or pyroxyline; and by a
solution of salt of silver, I mean any of the salts thereof which can be
used in photography for obtaining positive impressions by a camera.
A japanned surface may be prepared on glass, or on leather and other
fibrous materials. Or glass may be made black by means of coloring
matter introduced or embodied with the glass, so as to be _in_ instead
of _on_ the glass. But foreseeing the difficulty of embracing all
these applications in one application, I do not desire to have them so
considered; but reserve the right to hereafter apply for such application
of my general principle as I may deem essential, or of sufficient
importance to be protected by Letters Patent. And it might be proper to
add, that vulcanized gutta-percha or indurated rubber may be used as
the basis upon which, or in which the japanned surface may be made. The
invention, however, consists mainly on the surface, so that a silver
picture may be made upon it, said surface forming the background of the
picture.
The ingredients for fixing and developing the positive impression, upon
the japanned surface may be the same as those heretofore essayed by me in
a former application, and need not again be repeated here. Though other
chemicals, or other proportions of the same chemicals, may be used.
Having thus fully described the nature of my improvement in photographic
pictures, and shown how the same may be accomplished, what I claim therein
as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:--
The obtaining _positive_ impressions upon a japanned surface previously
prepared upon an iron or other metallic or mineral sheet or plate, by
means of collodion and a solution of a salt of silver and a camera,
substantially as herein described.
Hamilton L. Smith.
Geo. T. Chapman. } _Witnesses._
James H. Lee. }
_Dated February, 19th, 1856._
* * * * *
PHOTOGRAPHIC PICTURES ON OIL.
_To all whom it may concern:_
Be it known that I, Joel Haywood Tatum, of the City of Baltimore and State
of Maryland, have discovered or invented a new and useful preparation of
oil ground or body, and mode of preparing the same by which Photographic
impressions, such as portraits of all sizes, landscapes or still life may
be produced upon such oil prepared ground body or surface, whether upon
canvass, mill-board, pannel, or other body whatever, without any permanent
injury to such body, ground or surface for the reception of colors in
oil (water) or dry (paste), without impairing the texture, quality,
durability, or other desirable quality of the body ground, or surface
rendered so impressible, and give the following as the Process used in
accomplishing the result.
I take ordinary prepared canvass, mill-board, pannel or other substance
for the reception of oil painting by any composition of oil (or oleaginous
substance) and oxide of lead or zinc, Spanish whiting, Fuller's earth, or
their equivalents, singly or in combination, and after having removed all
irregularities or lumps from the surface I damp or wet the surface with
spirits of wine, and wipe clean; after which, I treat the surface with a
solution of potassium or any good alkali, regulating the strength to the
amount of oil in the body-ground or surface to be treated (ordinarily 1
oz. of super, carb. soda to 1 pint of water), as soon as the surface has
uniformly changed color allow the surplus solution to run off, wash off
by pouring over the surface clean water, let dry, but not by the fire or
in the sun, as that would bring out the oil to the surface. When dry,
treat the surface again with a solution of the chloride of sodium (of
the strength ordinarily used and prescribed for paper positives), decant
from the surface the superfluous fluid after a minute, and let dry, as
before; remove to a dark room, and treat the surface with a solution
of the nitrate of silver, its strength being governed by the strength
of impression desired, usually 18 grains of nitrate of silver to 1 oz.
of distilled water; allow the solution to float upon the surface a few
moments to insure uniformity of deposit, and then decant the surplus,
in the bottle or lath; place a small piece of filtering paper on the
edge of the body, and place that, edge down, to facilitate the drainage;
when dry, place the negative impression (which must previously have been
obtained, by the use of the camera, either on collodion or albumen upon
glass or upon paper) upon the body or ground to receive the impression in
the position the picture is desired, with the face of the negative to the
surface of the body to receive the impression. If the negative impression
does not cover the whole surface, then a mat should be used so as to
extend to the edge of the ground on all sides. Expose to the light, and,
when sufficiently long, remove the negative into a dark room (lighted with
a feeble lamp); dash over the impression a weak solution of hyposulphite
of soda, and let stand a few moments; then wash off with a very dilute
acid of only sufficient strength to neutralize the alkalies remaining upon
the surface, usually five or six drops of sulphuric acid to an oz. of
water is sufficient.
What I claim as my own invention and discovery, and desire to secure by
Letters Patent, is the mode of preparing and rendering oil (oroleaginous)
bodies, grounds, or surfaces impressible or sensitive to the Photographic
art by the temporary destruction or chemical change of the oil or
oleaginous matter of the immediate surface only, by the use of spirits of
wine and alkaline solution, or their equivalents, and, after fixing the
impression by the use of hyposulphate of soda, the use of dilute acid, by
which last application the alkalies are neutralized and the oil restored
with the impression permanent upon the surface.
Disclaiming everything heretofore known in the production of Photographic
pictures upon paper or any unoiled body or surface.
Joel Haywood Tatum.
_Witnesses._
J. S. Hollingshead, }
E. G. Handy. }
Original, _dated April, 15. 1856_.
Re-issue, _dated May 13, 1856_.
* * * * *
PATENT FOR MAKING THE BORDER OF THE PICTURE TRANSPARENT, AND PLACING THE
MAT BACK OF THE PICTURE.
_To all whom it may concern:_
Be it known that we, Albert Bisbee, of Columbus, in the County of Franklin
and State of Ohio, and Y. Day, of Nashville, in the County of Davidson
and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful improvements
in photographic pictures on glass, and we do hereby declare the following
to be a full, clear and exact description of the same.
The nature of our invention consists in making the edges of the coating
or film on the glass transparent so that the picture is made only on the
central part of the glass, and extending so far as to meet the inside edge
of the mat or border, generally used in putting up such pictures, and then
placing the mat back of the picture.
To enable others skilled in the art to make and use our invention, we will
proceed to describe the same as follows:--
We place inside of the camera, and about one-tenth of the focal distance
of the lens from the glass, a board having an aperture of any desired
pattern that we wish the edges to have. This board shades the edges of
the glass, thereby leaving them transparent in the picture. Then the
picture, being taken in the usual manner, is finished by varnishing with
transparent white varnish, and then backed with japan varnish, care being
taken to have the japan on the back extend only to meet the inside edges
of the mat. Then we place the mat back of the picture and secure it in its
place with the preserver.
If applied to the process, as patented by J. A. Cutting, with two glasses,
the picture is made as above described, and then the second glass is
applied, and finished as before by backing with japan.
The advantage of our improvement, is in having the mat protected from
being soiled, and making the picture appear more round, causing an
illusion as though the picture or image was suspended in the atmosphere,
clear from the background.
Having thus fully described the nature of our invention, what we claim
therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is, making the
border of the picture transparent and placing the mat back of the picture,
as described in the above specification, and for the purpose set forth.
_Witnesses to the signature of A. Bisbee._
C. A. Barker, }
Wm. Field. } A. Bisbee.
_Witnesses to the signature of Y. Day._
B. Bingham, }
W. Atkins. } Y. Day.
_Dated May 27th, 1856._
* * * * *
PATENT FOR THE APPLICATION OF COLORING SUBSTANCES, OR MATTER, TO
PHOTOGRAPHIC IMPRESSIONS.
Be it known that I, Giles Langdell, and Marcus A. Root, of Philadelphia,
in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and improved mode of
coloring daguerreotype and other photographic portraits or pictures made
on glass, metal or other material; and we do hereby declare that the
following is a full and exact description:--
The nature of our invention or discovery consists in providing and
applying both mineral and vegetable coloring matters in solution to the
daguerreotype or any other photographic impression, introducing the said
coloring matter either into the collodion or the developer, or by pouring
upon the plate after the impression is fixed by hyposulphite of soda, or
the cyanide of potassium, or by any other means.
The several coloring substances, E. G. red saunders, alkanet, dragons'
blood, &c., &c., can be used separately or in conjunction or compounded
with various mineral substances, or with any coloring matters obtained
from other roots, woods, gums or other vegetable matter, the proportions
or quantity employed being varied or regulated by the lightness or depth
and strength of tone which may, from time to time, be required.
The desired or similar results may be obtained from different formulæ.
The following answers for all practical purposes, but may be varied at
pleasure:--
Digest for two or three days red saunders (pterocarpus santalinus) half a
pound in three pints of water to which the aqua-ammonia has been added.
Then pour off the solution and precipitate by the addition of nitric acid.
Wash the precipitate thoroughly with water and dry it. Then dissolve it in
strong alcohol and dilute with the same as required to produce the tone or
tint that may be desired. Alkanet (anchusa tinctoria) may be prepared in
the same way. Dragons' blood dissolved in alcohol and treated in the same
manner will produce the various shades of yellow. The foregoing articles,
and also madder, indigo, cochineal, and some other coloring substances
both vegetable and mineral alone or combined, will produce pleasing
results when applied as follows (although they may be introduced into the
collodion):--
We prefer first to develope the impression, then to fix and dry it, and
afterwards to flow on the toning or tinting solution, as collodion or
varnish, &c., is poured upon the plate, allowing the solution to run off
the corner, and then levelling the plate to make the fluid flow uniformly
over and tint the whole surface of the plate evenly.
Then wash at once and thoroughly with clean water, and stand the plate
up to dry, after which it may be colored (the dress of any tint or color
desired--the face, hands, &c., are flesh tint) with dry colors (as is
usual in coloring daguerreotypes) applied to the collodion or upon the
varnish.
What we claim as our invention and discovery, and desire to secure by
Letters Patent, is the application of coloring substances or matter
to Photographic impressions or pictures upon glass or metal, or other
material in the form and manner herein described.
_Witnesses._
James J. B. Ogle, } Giles Langdell [L. S.]
Williams Ogle, } M. A. Root. [L. S.]
_Dated July 15th, 1856._
* * * * *
PATENT FOR THE USE OF ALBUMENIZED COLLODION.
_To all whom it may concern:_
Be it remembered, that I, Victor M. Griswold, of the City of Lancaster,
in the County of Fairfield and State of Ohio, have invented certain
improvements in the art and mode of taking Photographic Pictures, and I do
hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof:
The nature of my invention consists in an improvement in the photographic
art of taking pictures. To one quart of collodion prepared in the usual
way or manner, I add three ounces of a solution prepared thus: The clear
solution which results from the whites of eggs which have been well
beaten, and one equal bulk of pure soft water. When this is added to the
collodion, it is thrown to the bottom in long stringy white masses, which
after a few days impart to the liquid albuminous properties, rendering
the film closer in texture, and bringing out all the minor details more
sharply and perfectly than by the ordinary collodion, and giving to the
picture a glossy and sparkling tone, unlike any produced by other means.
Another method which I frequently adopt is thus; albumen as above, without
water, to which is added iodide of potassium forty grains; this throws
down the albumen in jelly-like masses, and, when added to the collodion,
not only iodizes it, but produces the same effect upon the collodion as by
the formula above. Also, another method: one ounce of chloroform, to which
is added one half ounce of albumen, prepared as above, iodized; this forms
also a soft semi-transparent jelly, which on being added to the collodion
produces perhaps the best effect of any of these preparations.
This addition of albumen also answers a far better purpose, than any that
has hitherto been employed for freeing old samples of collodion from free
iodine held in suspension by which they can be rendered as clear and
limpid as they were when first mixed.
What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is
the addition of albumen to collodion in the manner and for the purpose
herein and above specified.
V. M. Griswold.
Alfred M'Veigh, } _Witnesses._
J. C. Heuley. }
_Patented July 15th, 1856._
* * * * *
COLORING AMBROTYPES.
_To all whom it may concern:_
Be it known that we, D. B. Spooner and H. B. Spooner, of Springfield, in
the County of Hampden, in the State of Massachusetts, having invented new
and useful improvements in coloring Ambrotype or Photographic Pictures on
glass, and we do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact
description thereof:--
The nature of our invention consists, in so preparing the collodion film
containing the picture in alternate placers with gum or other suitable
material, so that when a penetrating dye or pigment, in a solution that
will penetrate the collodion film, may be deposited on any particular
portion of the picture between the collodion film and the glass, in order
to give it the requisite color properly distributed between the face,
drapery, &c.
The following is the process adopted:--
After the picture is thoroughly washed and dried, proceed with a brush to
cover any portion of the picture not designed to take the color, with a
solution of gum or any other substance insoluble in the coloring solution,
but soluble in any other liquid in which the coloring matter is not
soluble.
E. G.--Take a solution of gum arabic in water, and apply it to a portion
of the picture. Now take a solution of turmeric in alcohol, and pour it
upon the collodion surface of the picture, and you immediately get a
deposit of the coloring matter between the collodion and the glass, the
portion of the picture covered with the gum not being penetrated by the
alcohol, is protected from the color while all other portions are colored.
Then, by washing the picture in water, the gum is dissolved and washed
off, and the parts uncolored may remain in their natural state without
color, or, by applying the gum solution to the portion already colored
with a part of the uncolored portion, another color may be produced by the
use of another pigment in the same manner as before described.
In this manner any number of colors may be produced; or, when a small
portion only of the picture is to be colored, the whole of the picture
may be colored and dried, and then that portion which is to retain the
color may be covered with the gum solution, and the coloring matter not
protected by the gum may be extracted with alcohol or other solvent, and
the gum washed off as before.
The advantages of our invention consist in depositing the coloring matter
in its _various tints_ on the front side of the picture between the
collodion and the glass, instead of coloring the fibre of the collodion,
or the upper side of it, as is common, which does not show through to
the positive side of the picture on account of the opacity of the silver
deposit which forms the picture.
We do not claim the coloring of a picture all over with a single tint, but
What we claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is
the application of gum arabic or other equivalent material, as set forth
in the specification, for the purposes therein described, and no other.
D. B. Spooner.
H. B. Spooner.
_Witnesses._
George W. Adams, }
Chas. H. Codman. }
_Patented August 5, 1856._