The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-04-20


cleaner, produce sharper impression, use less
ink, and facilitate composition by rendering
the letters more readily distinguishable. In
coating ordinary types they are first cast in the
usual way, and afterward faced with a coating
of copper, but electrotype plates are produced
by an operation just the reverse Of the above.
If, for instance, an engraving is to be copied,
an impression of the face Of the engraving is
taken in wax, by means Of a suitable press,
the wax having first been properly prepared
In order to give this mold conducting surface,
wax being non-conductor, plumbago, in a
finely powdered state, is applied to it by means
of q brush, until the surface to be electrotyped
has a complete metallic luster. The copper is
applied to the mold, or object to be coated, by
a current of electricity, which is generated bya
battery. This is an oblong lead lined reservoir,
about two or three feet square, by three in length
and nearly filled with solution of sulphuric
acid and water. A zinc plate, about fourteen
| inches square and one-fourth Of an inch in
thickness, is suspended in the solution by means
Of copper wire, and also thin perforated
plate, composed of copper, coated with silver
and platinum, which is called the silver plate.
A second lead-l lined reservoir, and somewhat
larger than the first, called the decomposing
trough, is provided, and filed with solution
of sulphate of copper. Into this solution is
placed the mold or object to bo electrotyped,
which is connected with the zinc plate in the
battery by means of a copper wire. plate
of copper is also suspended in this solution,
which is connected with a second metallic plate
in the battery.
AS soon as these plates are all put in theiI
respective positions, the acid, in connection with
the oxygen of the water, attacks the zinc plate
and strong chemical action takes place
the hydrogen of the water is liberated, and is
evolved from the surface of the silver plate and
escapes into the atmosphere, while the oxygen
Of the decomposed water unites with the metal
and forms oxyd of zinc, and the sulphuric acid
attacks the oxyd and converts it into sulphate
Of zinc.
The decomposition of the zinc develops cleo.
tricity, which surcharges the conducting wires
connecting the battery with the decomposinl
trough, and circuit is formed. The coppe
held in the solution is deposited upon thu
mold, the strength Of the solution being main
tained by the decomposition of the coppe
plate by the action of the electric current, whicl
transforms the copper plate into sulphate o
ppcr, and this deposit of pure copper is con
tnued SO long as the battery is supplied Will
zinc, which is the fuel that feeds the apparatu
and develops the electricity. To prevent tn
: too rapid decomposition Of the zinc plate il
the battery, it is first coated with mercury
which prevents the acid from taking hold Of il
When the molds have received copper coatn
Of sufficient thickness, the facing is remove
from the wax, and backed up with type meta
: The Franklin Type Foundry is q branch {
the celebrated house of L. JOHNSON & Co
Philadelphia, which was established in thi
city in 1890, and the types made at the branc
house here are equal to those of the Philade
u phia establishment. 1t is under the superir
: lcndence Of Mr.. X. ALLISON, and is one of Il
d most important establishments in Cincinnati
d The building is 80 by 90 feet and five stori
e high, and aside from tho large variety
e types manufactured, all kinds of printing
'i presses and printing materials are kept on har
ID for sale. The several departments require,
?, the present time, the services of 95 to II
Ii hands, and the quality of the work done he
n is known to bo as good as the best, the count
!, over. The Eecttotype Department constitut
se a very extensive feature, and large jobs
school and other books are electrotyped +
a publishers hero, and at other points throug
in out the West and South.