IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING MUSIC WHEN TYPE IS EMPLOYED.
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Gustav Scheurmann, of Newgate Street, in the City
of London, Musio Publisher, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PRINTING MUSIC WHEN TYPE IS EMPLOYED.
Sealed the 24th December 1856, and dated the 11th October 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Gustav Scheurmann at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
.1.1th October 1856.
I, GUSTAV SCHEURMANN, of Newgate Street, in the City of London, Music
Publisher, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PRINTING MUSIC WHEN TYPE IS, EMPLOYED," to be as follows:-
Heretofore in printing music, when type has been employed, it has been
usual in the same "form" to set up the notes and musical signs together with
the lines, and the:lines (stave) are produced.in numerous parts cast into type.
Now, my
Invention has for its object so to construct type with the notes
and musical signs thereon for the printing of music, and also so to combine
lines and spaces as to admit of a page of music being set up in two "forms"
(in separate chases), one consisting of suitably formed type with the notes
and signs ithereon, and the other consisting of full-length lines, separated by
moveable spaces in such manner that the same lines or rules may be used with
different spaces, the impressions being taken in succession from the two
"forms," the proper.register of the lines, notes, and signs being obtained by

page_text: the two chases being fixed on a sliding bed or table of a printing machine, as
hereafter explained.
In place of the "tie" lines being each made in several pieces, depending on
the number of notes tied thereby, as heretofore, the." tie" lines are each cast
in one piece, together with several "spaces," according to the number of notes
to be tied thereby, and the spaces or bodies formed with such. "tie" lines in
each case are arranged step by step on each other, the greater or less incli-
nation of the "tie" lines being obtained by the "spaces" combined or cast
And in the dies
together, overlapping each other to a greater or less extent.
66
The dots or notes are usually
The slurs are each formed
employed for casting such "tie" lines with their step-by-step bodies or
spaces," there are sliding or adjusting plates used, which when casting type
are adjusted to overlap, to correspond with the angle of the groove in the
matrix for the time being placed in the mould.
each formed into a.type, together with its tail.
into a type, excepting in cases of irregular slurs, which pass under as well as
over the lines (staves), in which cases strips of thin metal are used, bent to
the desired form, and fixed at intervals to "spaces." The smaller signs,
such as sharps and flats, and others, are either cast each into a separate type,
or two or more of them are cast on the face of one type.
The "form," consisting of the lines (stave), is composed of a series of
separate rules or thin plates, with spaces of proper thickness to keep them
apart from one another, and other spaces to keep the sets of five lines apart
from each other, and they are set up according to the "form" of type which
is to print the notes and signs. By thus having the form of lines and the
form of type separate, the impressions taken from them may be in different
colors. The words may be set up on either "form," and when the words are
in two languages, the words of one language may be set up in.type in the one
"form" and the words of the other language may be set up in .type.in. the
other "form." The printing press. used has an upper sliding bed or table,
which slides in the ordinary table or bed of a hand-printing press; the frisket
and tympan are hinged to the ordinary bed or table, and move with it under
'the pressing surface or platten. The "forms" of type are fixed on the upper
sliding table, and an impression is taken from each "form".in succession on
the same paper. The ordinary moving table or bed is moved by the ordinary
handle under the platten; an impression is taken from one "form," the bed or
table is moved back, the tympan is thrown back, and the upper table or bed is
moved by another handle, so as to bring the other "form" into position; the
tympan is folded down, the bed or table is again moved under. the platten by
the ordinary handle, and an impression is taken. Correct register of the parts

page_text: of the two "forms" will result from the use of two beds or tables, as above
explained, aided by the paper being retained without movement till the two.
impressions (one from each "form") have been taken on the paper:
In order to obtain an electrotype plate from two." forms," such as are above
described, a sheet of lead in place of paper is by a suitable press pressed on to
the "forms" in succession, by which the combined composition will be obtained
in reverse. The lead impression thus produced is then subjected to the electro-
type process, and a copper plate is obtained, from which, it being properly fixed.
on a surface, a sheet of music may be obtained by one process of printing;
or such electrotype plates may when desired be bent. over and fixed on a
cylinder to be printed from; or casts of plaster may be employed for getting
a stereotype mould from the lead impression..
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Gustav Scheurmann in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th April 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME; I, GUSTAV
SCHEURMANN, of Newgate Street, in the City of London, Music Publisher,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Gustav Scheurmann, Her special licence that I, the said Gustav Scheurmann,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Gustav Scheurmann, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PRINTING MUSIC WHEN TYPE IS EMPLOYED," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Gustav Scheurmann, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or, one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within

page_text: six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Gustav Scheurmann, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:-
Heretofore in printing music, when type has been employed, it has been
usual in the same "form" to set up the notes and musical signs together with
the lines, and the lines (staye) are produced in numerous parts cast into type.
Now, my Invention has for its object so to construct type with the notes and
musical signs thereon for the printing of music, and also so to combine lines
and spaces as to admit of a page of music being set up in two "forms" (in
separate chases), one consisting of suitably formed type with the notes and
signs thereon, and the other consisting of full-length lines, separated by
moveable spaces in such manner that the same lines or rules may be used
with different spaces, the impressions being taken in succession from the two
"forms," the proper register of the lines, notes, and signs being obtained by
the two chases being fixed on a sliding bed or table of a printing machine, as
hereafter explained.
In place of the "tie "lines being each made in several pieces, depending
on the number of notes tied thereby, as heretofore, the "tie" lines are each
cast in one piece, together with several "spaces," according to the number of
notes to be tied thereby, and the spaces or bodies formed with such "tie"
lines in each case are arranged step by step on each other, the greater or less
inclination of the "tie" lines being obtained by the "spaces" combined or
cast together, overlapping each other to a greater or less extent. And in the
dies employed for casting such "tie" lines with their step-by-step bodies or
'spaces," there are sliding or adjusting plates used, which when casting type
are adjusted to overlap, to correspond with the angle of the groove in the
matrix for the time being placed in the mould. The dots or notes are usually
each formed into a type together with its tail. The slurs are each formed
into a type, excepting in cases of irregular slurs, which pass under as well as
over the lines (stave), in which cases strips of thin metal are used, bent to the
desired form, and. fixed at intervals to "spaces." The smaller signs, such as
sharps and flats, and others, are either cast each into a separate type, or two or
more of them are cast on the face of one type.
The "form," consisting of the lines (stave), is composed of a series of
separate rules or thin plates, with spaces of proper thickness to keep them
apart from one another, and other spaces to keep the sets of five lines apart

page_text: from each other, and they are set up according to the form of type which is to
print the notes and signs. By thus having the form of lines and the form of
type separate, the impressions taken from them may be in different colors.
The words may be set up on either "form," and when the words are in two
languages, the words of one language may be set up in type in the one form
and the words of the other language may be set up in type in the other "form."
The printing press used has an upper sliding bed or table, which slides in the
ordinary table or bed of a hand-printing press; the frisket and tympan are
hinged to the ordinary bed or table, and move with it under the pressing surface
or platten. The forms of type are fixed on the upper sliding table and an
impression is taken from each "form" in succession on the same paper. The
ordinary moving table or bed is moved by the ordinary handle under the
platten; an impression is taken from one "form," the bed or table is moved
back, the tympan is thrown back, and the upper table or bed is moved by
another handle, so as to bring the other "form" into position; the tympan
is folded down, the bed or table is again moved under the platten by the
ordinary handle, and an impression is taken. Correct register of the parts of
the two "forms" will result from the use of two beds or tables, as above
explained, aided by the paper being retained without movement till the two
impressions (one from each "form") have been taken on the paper.
In order to obtain an electrotype plate from two "forms," such as are
above described, a sheet of lead (in place of paper) is by a suitable press
pressed on to the "forms" in succession, by which the combined composition
will be obtained in reverse. The lead impression thus produced is then sub-
jected to the electrotype process, and a copper plate is obtained, from which
(it being properly fixed on a surface) a sheet of music may be obtained by
one process of printing; or such electrotype plates may when desired be bent
[over and fixed on a cylinder to be printed from; or casts of plaster may be
employed for getting a stereotype mould from the lead impression.
Having thus stated the nature of my said Invention, I will proceed more
fully to describe the manner of performing the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, and Figure 6 show plans.
and side views of type for producing the tie lines of declivities and acclivities
in setting up forms of music to be printed from. These Figures show type for
producing tie lines at various angles of inclination, and also of different
lengths, according to the number and distances of the notes to be tied
together, and in like manner are type produced for producing other tie lines

page_text: of different angles of inclination and length; and the peculiarity in these types
is that the body of each is produced in steps which correspond in thickness
and width with or are formed in relation to the spaces to be used therewith.
Figure 11 shows a plan of a portion of a "form" of type (according to my
Invention) set up; Figure 7 shows a side view and plan of a type of a note
with its tail; Figure 8 shows plans and side views of several type for "spaces"
used in setting up a "form" of type for printing music; Figure 9 shows
plans and side views of type for producing slur lines, and in like manner will
other type be formed for other lengths of slurs.
Figure 10 shows plans and side views of various type for producing or
printing the various signs in music. The type for printing music, such as
above shown and described, is cast in moulds of like construction to those
ordinarily used in type founding, which are well understood, the mould and
matrix used therein being in each case formed according to the particular
type to be produced thereby. But in order to render unnecessary separate
moulds for different inclinations of tie lines, moulds are employed with sliding
plates a, a, shown in Figure 12, which represents a plan of a mould with
slides a, a, capable of being opened out or closed, and when suitably-adjusted
they receive the molten metal of which the types are formed into the opening
a¹, formed by the slides being placed in the manner required. In place of
casting the tie lines with steps in moulds suitably constructed for the purpose,
such tie lines may be produced by casting the metal parallel on the two sides,
and then cutting or planing the metal to form the desired steps.
From the above description it will be seen that the notes and signs and
"spaces" used in printing music according to my Invention are formed into
type to bo used and set up without the lines (stave), by which system
of printing music with type the number of pieces of type employed in
setting up a piece or page of music is greatly reduced as compared with the
mode of forming type for printing music heretofore resorted to, where the
lines as well as the notes and signs were produced by numerous pieces of
type, the type for printing the lines being of suitable sizes and forms to go
together, and they were composed with the other types used for printing the
notes and signs. The tie lines, notes and signs (which according to my
Invention may each be cast in a single piece of type) were also each formerly
necessarily cast in more or less pieces, in consequence of such pieces having
to be suitable for being composed with separate pieces of type for printing
the lines (staves) at the same timés as the notes and signs used in printing
music. When it is required to print words with the musical signs the type
for the letters are cast with bodies of a size to agroe with the sizes of the

page_text: types used for printing the music, in order that in composing a "form" for a
page of music and words the type with letters thereon may go together and
fit the type used for printing the music.
Figure 13 shows a plan of a "form" .consisting of the lines (staves) for a
page of music; the lines employed are "rules," each separate from the other,
and capable of being used over and over again differently spaced according to
the spacing of the "form" of notes and musical signs to be printed therewith
but at separate times. The spaces between the sets of five lines (staves) may
be filled with solid single spaces or by numerous pieces of type, and when
printing words or musical signs with or at the same time as the lines (staves)
it will generally be found desirable to use the "spaces" formed into numerous
pieces suitable to go together with the type with letters or with musical signs
thereon.
Figure 14 shows "chases" suitable for receiving the two "forms" used in
printing a page of music, which is fixed to a sliding table of a printing press,
such as is hereafter described, an impression being pulled on to the same piece
of paper first from one "form" contained in the "chase" and then from the
other "form" contained in the "chace" without moving the paper from
between the frisket and tympan. I would here remark that I am aware that
it has before been proposed to print a page of music by taking impressions
from two blocks, one having the lines and the other the musical notes and
signs formed in relief thereon; I do not, therefore, claim to be the first who
has separated the surfaces from which a sheet or page of music may be
printed, the peculiarity of part of my Invention consisting of so constructing
musical type and signs and lines that the same type and lines may be used
over and over again for different compositions.
Figure 15 shews a sectional elevation, Figure 16 a plan, and Figure 17
a transverse section, of a printing press arranged with a double bed or table,
one sliding or moving on the other. The printing press in other respects
is similar to ordinary presses, and is not of my Invention, and other forms
of printing presses may be used for printing music according to this part
of my Invention if provided with suitable beds or tables, as shown. The
table a is worked similarly to that of ordinary presses, that is, it is run in
and out by the handle b, and the tympan is hinged to such table or bed. The
table c is arranged suitable for being slided or moved on the upper.surface
of the table or bed a by means of the handle d.
The "chase" e, e, with the two "forms" is placed on the upper table c and
fixed thereon; the paper is placed on the tympan and retained thereon by the
frisket;
the tympan is folded down on to the form A, which may be either

page_text: "
the lines or the notes and signs; the table a with the table c is moved under
the platten by the handle b, an impression is taken on to the paper; the table a
is moved back by means of the handle b, the tympan is raised off the "form,"
the table c is then moved by the handle d so as to bring the form B into
the position previously occupied by the form A, the tympan is again closed
down and the table a again moved under the platten by the handle b, when
the second impression is taken. The tables are again moved from under the
platten, the tympan and frisket thrown back, the impression is to be removed,
and paper properly placed to obtain another impression.
When it is desired to obtain an electrotype or a stereotype printing surface
from the two "forms" above described, an impression on a sheet of lead is
taken by preference first from the "form" having the lines, and then from
the "form" having therein the notes and musical signs, by any suitable
press, and from the compound impression or lead thus obtained a copper
electrotype is to be produced in the ordinary manner of obtaining electro-
type impressions of other articles, and such electrotype may be used as a
printing surface. In thus using a sheet of lead I have found it desirable
to have it warmed when about to be impressed; but it is not essential so to
do. In order thus to obtain impressions from two forms of type on to one
surface of lead, it is preferred to employ what is known as hard type metal
in founding the type to be used both for the musical notes and signs and for
the letter-press, used in one or both the "forms." In taking the two
impressions on to one surface of lead from two "forms" of type, it is important
that the type of the one form should penetrate exactly to the same extent into
the lead as the type of the other "form." For this reason I have found it
desirable to employ a screw press, which moves the platten or pressing surface
very slowly, and so that patterns passed through a very small space as compared
with the space through which the hand of the pressman passes in giving motion
thereto; and I employ a galvanometer to indicate when the platten bas moved
up to the proper point, the two ends of the wire of the galvanometer being
fixed to the platten and to the bed of the press respectively, so that immediately
contact is made the workman is informed of that fact by the movement of the
pointer of the galvanometer, and he can instantly stop further motion of the press.
Other arrangements of apparatus may, however, be resorted to for ensuring
the correct taking of the two impressions on to the soft metal surface. And I
have found that it is desirable to use a thin sheet of soft material, such as
gutta percha, between the platten and lead, as the process of subsequently
picking the plate is thereby avoided.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of

page_text: performing the same, I would have it understood that what I claim is, the
manufacture of type and instruments for printing music as herein described.
Secondly, I claim the improvement in printing presses herein described for
printing with accuracy and in register from two forms in succession.
Thirdly, I claim the taking by a suitable press impressions from two printing
surfaces on to the same surface of metal and obtaining therefrom an electro-
type plate or a stereotype plate.
In witness whereof, I, the said Gustav Scheurmann, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
GUSTAV SCHEURMANN. (L.B.)
Witness,
B. GOBEY,
12, Cursitor Street, Chancery Lane.