CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS, MANNER, OR METHOD OF EMBOSSING OR PRODUCING RAISED FIGURES, DESIGNS, OR PATTERNS ON LEATHER AND SUCH LIKE MATERIALS, AND IN THE MANNER OR MEANS USED FOR EFFECTING THE SAME; ALSO IN THE MAKING OR FORMING OF CERTAIN TOOLS OR APPARATUS USED THEREIN
Year: 1839

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CLAUDE
SCHROTH, of Leicester Square, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-sixth day of June, in the third year of Her reign.
and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Claude Schroth, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said Claude Schroth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, and
such others as I, the said Claude Schroth, my executors, administrators, or
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times during the term of years therein mentioned, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend; within England, Wales, and
the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE PROCESS, MANNER, OR METHOD OF EMBOSSING OR PRODUCING RAISED
FIGURES, DESIGNS, OR PATTERNS ON LEATHER AND SUCH LIKE MATERIALS, AND
IN THE MANNER OR MEANS USED FOR EFFECTING THE SAME; ALSO IN THE MAKING
OR FORMING OF CERTAIN TOOLS OR APPARATUS USED THEREIN;" in which said Let-
ters Patent there is contained a proviso obliging me, the said Claude Schroth,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe
and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the

page_text: same is to be performed, to be enrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said provise, J, the said
Claude Schroth, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following description thereof (that is to say):-
The object of this Invention is to make or produce in an economical and
perfect manner fac simile copies of designs, figures, or patterns done in basso
relievo, or raised figures, whether stamped, carved, embossed, sculptured,
modelled, cast, or otherwise produced, such copies or fac similes being by my
improved process obtained in leather or skin of animals, and in connection
with other materials when required. These copies or devices are applicable
to all the purposes where such basso relievo ornamental work is required for
the decoration of the interiors or exteriors of buildings (as medallions, cornices,
pannels, rosettes, picture or other frames, &c. &c.), and also for cabinet work
and various other articles of furniture, and in all situations where such raised
or embossed ornamental work is applicable; and my Invention consists, first,
in the improved process or method used in producing such fac simile copies
in basso relievo or raised ornamental articles, and, in the second place, in
improvements in making or forming the matrixes and dies, or apparatus used
in the process of obtaining the same.
Having thus stated in general terms the nature and objects of my Inven-
tion, I will proceed to describe the manner of carrying the same into effect.
I will first describe the improvements in the making or forming of the dies,
tools, or apparatus, in order to facilitate the description of my Invention, and
then the manner in which they are used in the process of forming or obtaining
the said basso relievo or embossed ornamental articles. The metal plates,
dies, or blocks to be used in producing the copies or fac similes of the
different basso relievos are made by casting them from plaster or clay
models previously prepared for this purpose, either by taking impressions
or moulds from old carvings, embossings, pieces of sculpture, or castings of
the design or pattern of the same, is suitable for this purpose, or by model-
ling or forming new patterns, designs, figures on clay or plaster materials,
after the manner sculptors model their designs previous to operating upon
marble. The metal plates, blocks, or dies are to be formed of any suitable
metal or mixtures of metal; but I prefer the following alloys:-First, lead
and antimony in about the same proportions as used for typography; second,

page_text: fusible alloy of bismuth, lead, and tin (as that commonly known as Darcet's
alloy). The proportions are varied according to the use intended to be made
of the dies. The alloy of lead and antimony I use for blocks, plates, or dies, in
which the skins are to be embossed without using the press, as hereafter
5 explained. The alloy of bismuth, tin, and lead I use for dies submitted to
the action of the press. The dies into which the leather or skin is.forced by
hand require to be only about the thickness of three-eighths of an inch, this
thickness being regulated by the following process of making them:-Having
obtained the plaster, clay, or other model or design, a thin sheet of tin, pewter,
tin foil, or lead, is first to be laid over it, and caused to take the form of the
design (that is to say), made to enter into all the countersunk parts and
interstices. Upon this sheet of tin foil is placed a layer of earthy materials
of the thickness the intended die or block is to have when cast. Over this
earthy covering is to be poured plaster of paris mixed with water. This
plaster, when set, will form a recipient into which the metal alloy is afterwards
to be poured, the object of this recipient being to economize the alloy. When
the plaster becomes set, the cap or tin foil is to be raised, and the earthy
matters removed, the model being preserved during the operation by the tin-
foil which was placed between it and the earth. It will be understood that
on the model being placed in the hollow'plaster recipient, the projecting parts
of the model will correspond with the countersunk parts of the recipient, and
between these two parts, (that is to say,) the model and recipient, there will be
a space equal to the thickness of the earth used in the first operation. The
recipient is now to be placed on the lower plate or bed of a serew press, and
properly adjusted, and the requisite quantity of the alloy poured into it. The
fluid alloy having been poured into the recipient, and arrived at a proper
consistency (the workmen continually stirring it to prevent the heavy metal
separating from the light), the plaster model is then carefully placed upon it,
and the follower of the press being brought down quickly will force the plaster
model into the metal alloy, and produce the acquired matrick or mould.
When it is necessary to use great care and nieety in obtaining the metal
mould, the plaster model should be accurately adjusted and affixed to the
upper plate of the press, and brought with it quickly down on to the metal
alloy. In order to prevent the plaster model from breaking by being too
suddenly brought into contact with the hot metal, it will be found necessary to
place it in a stove or drying place in order to drive off any moisture it might
contain, after which it should be allowed to cool in a dry place. If it is
desirable to use the same mould several times, it should be made of lead or
any other suitable substance, instead of forming it in plaster. The blocks,

page_text: plates, or dies which are intended to bear the action of frequent pressure or
many operations, should be plain and smooth in the under part. Such plates,
blocks, moulds, or dies are obtained in the manner first described; but instead
of casting them in plaster recipients they are to be made in one piece in boxes
formed of any suitable substance which is a bad conductor of heat, such as
wood, paste-board, &c., the under part of the metal mould being made per-
fectly smooth and even in order that the said moulds may in every part sustain
an equal pressure. These boxes should exceed in length and width the
dimensions of the model, and their sides should exceed in a small degree in
height the thickness to be given to the metallic casting. The boxes so prepared
are placed on the lower plate or table of the press, and set on a perfect level.
The alloy is poured into them as in the preceding operation, and when it has
acquired a pasty kind of consistency the model is forced into it by turning
the screw of the press as before stated.
Having explained this part of my Invention, I will proceed to describe the
process, manner, or method of making or manufacturing the embossed leather
basso relievo figures, ornaments, or devices. My.method of manufacturing
embossing leather ornaments is in truth a means of, forcing out such leather
or skin of animals into all the countersunk interstices of the plate, die, or
block, and is effected as follows:-First, with a wooden, bone, or copper instru-
ment (similar to those used by sculptors for modelling) the workman presses
the skin (which has been previously beaten in water) until completely softened
and thickened, after the manner the operation of fulling acts upon clotb, into
all the cavities of the mould or die. This he effects in the manner
following: He takes from the water the skin swollen by the liquid, and
without ringing or pressing it rolls and works it with his hands, so as to
make it shrink, (that is to say,) to increase its thickness at the expense
of its width and length, after the manner of fulling. He then places it
in the middle of the metal mould, and having ascertained the centre part
of the design, he proceeds by gently unrolling the edges of the skin, and
then with the ends of his fingers begins the operation of pressing the skin
into the interstices of the die or plate, and stretching out the leather,
proceeding gradually from the centre of the plate to the outsides, for it is
at the expense of the width and length of the skin that the cavities
of the mould are filled. When the principal cavities are sufficiently covered
or filled with leather or skin, the workman proceeds to fill up the smaller
cavities by means of the sculptor's tools above mentioned, sometimes making
use of a brush, with which he gently strikes the skin. He then presses on
the surface of the leather a sponge, which has the double effect of compressing

page_text: the leather into the minutest details of the design or mould, and at the
same time of absorbing the greater portion of the water which the skin
has taken up.
At this stage of the proceeding either of the following methods
may be employed to complete the embossing and drying of the leather;
firstly, by means of heat, and secondly, by the agency of an absorbing
substance. In order to dry and finish the articles by heat, the mould or die
containing the skins is to be placed on a chafing dish until the temperature
reaches from about one hundred and eight to one hundred and forty-four
degrees of Fahrenheit. During the drying operation papier maché or other
suitable material, previously prepared, is forced into the deepest cavities of the
skin or leather, in order to keep it in its place, and prevent its receding from
the die; the preparing tools and sponge being constantly pressed on all parts
and in different directions, in order to cause the leather to adhere to the cavity
until it and the papier maché are dry. The papier maché with which
the cavities are filled may then be removed, and the operation is finished.
The elasticity of the leather and its contraction in drying allows of its being
drawn out of those parts of the mould which otherwise would retain it,
and consequently the mould need not be made of several pieces.
The second method, of compressing and drying by the agency of an absorbing
substance. The substance used for this purpose will be reduced into fine powder
(or very minutely divided); and I prefer materials the particles of which are
sufficient void of cohesive properties as to remain in a state of division even after
being strongly and repeatedly pressed. The mould, after it has received the
leather or skin from the hands and tools of the workman, as above described, is
placed on the table or bed of the press. Around the mould, and upon the plate
of the press, I place a frame of wood or metal, formed of side pieces
without top or bottom, the top edges being above the surface of the mould
about two or three inches when the design is not much in relief, and from
about six to twelve inches or more when the embossing is raised in a greater
degree. The frame is to be filled with fine sawdust of wood well dried, or
dust of other suitable material, so that the die or mould may be covered with
a layer of such dust. Above the frame is placed a plate or follower of such
a size as will enter freely within it. The screw of the press being turned,
compression will take place, and the sawdust forces the leather into all
the cavities of the mould. After a short time the screw may be turned in ȧ
contrary direction, and the frame and sawdust removed, the leather having
acquired a sufficient consistency to be drawn out of the mould, and dried by
heat or in the open air, according to circumstances. I have mentioned finé
sawdust of wood. I use it in preference, on account of its cheapness, and

page_text: because it possesses all the necessary properties. But it is obvious that the
powder of any other substance capable of producing the same effects may be
substituted; for instance, bran, sand, or other material, provided it is not of
cohesive qualities, may be employed, and also fibrous and elastic substances
may be used for this purpose, which should always be in a sufficient state of
division. By these means I produce the raised or embossed leather ornamental
mouldings, embossings, or basso-relievos, more or less embossed, for the deco-
rating of apartments or other purposes, such ornaments possessing great advan-
tages on account of their correctness and rigidity, and the facility with which they
may be applied to or removed from any situation. These ornaments may be
allowed to retain a certain degree of the pliancy of the leather, or have a hardness
given to them equal to that of wood or plaster by causing the leather when it is
sufficiently dry and warm to absorb a solution of gum lac dissolved in spirits
of wine, or of resin in spirits of turpentine, or merely a solution of glue, and
all the cavities in the back of the design must be filled up with paper, saw-
dust, pulverized cork, mixed with glue or hot resin. When the embossed or
basso relievo ornaments or devices are used for the pannelling of rooms in
imitation of carvings, the pieces of embossed leather should be united, so as
not to show the joints or junctions. Leather hangings for rooms have been
heretofore made of sheets of leather figured separately, and united together
by seams. The straight lines thus produced are disagreeable to the sight; but
by uniting these embossed leather ornaments, as hereafter stated, I produce
leather pannels of required dimensions without shewing any seam or
perceptible line of junction. To attain this object I take care to combine the
parts of the pattern or design in such a manner that on the edge of each
figure or part of the design there shall always be some strongly marked lines,
which allow me to cut out such parts or figures and pare two sides of the
leather without difficulty, each of the sides thus pared being placed over the
edge of the opposite side of another piece of leather to which a border has
been purposely left. On this border is glued the pared edge of the first sheet,
the second sheet being united in the same manner to a third, and so on. By
this process I can make highly raised leather figures or medallions on large
pannels. The pieces of leather or skin of the several parts of the design
must be shaped in separate moulds. The two corresponding parts may
afterwards be easily united, if care has been taken to leave to the one a border
which is to lap over the edge of the other, the edge of the second part having
been pared and cut exactly according to the line chosen for the junction. The
embossed figures of these parts are made solid by filling them up with a
mixture of tow, or rags and glue, or with sawdust, paper, corks, or any other

page_text: suitable substance. It is obvious that these raised or embossed products may
be painted, gilded, or silvered when rendered imperious by gum lac or any
other suitable resinous substance, or they may be painted to represent wood,
marble, or other material.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that what I
claim as my Invention, secured to me by the above in part recited Letters
Patent, is,
First, the improved process, manner, or method herein-before set forth and
described by which I obtain copies or fac similes of pieces of sculpture,
carvings, models, castings, and other raised figures, in basso relievo on leather
or skins of animals, and the means used therein, particularly the application
and use of saw dust or other powdered or finely divided substance for the
purpose of forcing the skins into the cavities of the dies or moulds.
And, in the second place, I claim the improved mode or method of making.
or forming the moulds, dies, or matrixes, or apparatus, also berein described, as
connected with 'the above process, of producing basso relievo devices on skins
of animals.
In witness whereof, I, the said Claude Schroth, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty nine
CLAUDE SCHROTH. (L.S.)
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-third day of December,
in the third year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, the said
Claude Schroth came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and
acknowledged the Instrument aforesaid, and all and every thing therein
contained and specified, in form above written. And also the Instrument
aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made in the
fifty-fifth year of the reign of His late Majesty King George the Third.
Inrolled the Twenty-fourth day of December, One thousand eight
hundred and thirty-nine.