A NEW COMPOSITION FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF IMITATIVE STONES
Year: 1857

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Antonio Pelez at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th June
1857. A communication.
I, ANTONIO PELEZ, of No. 19, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "A NEW COMPOSITION FOR THE
MANUFACTURE OF IMITATIVE STONES," (a communication,) to be as follows:-
Put into a cauldron placed over a furnace,-
Larger quantities 1st. lbs. 10 rosin.
may be used
2nd. 20 fine plaster of Paris.
in keeping the
proportions.
3rd.
4th.
"
"9
4 vitrified coal.
10 fine dry sand.
Begin with the rosin, and when it has become liquid from the effect of tho
heat, and its volatile essence has evaporated, throw it into, through a sieve,
the plaster of Paris, and continually stir up the mixture. The rosin absorbs
the plaster, and combining with it forms a species of lather, which is the strata
of the composition. When the effervesence from the plaster mixed with the
rosin has subsided, the lather is formed, and only then must the vitrified coal
be added, and after that the sand.
Where it is necessary to produce objects of great dimensions, such as slabs,
blocks, &c., add to the composition when it is prepared, in order to economizo
the substance, and produce the volume required, the ordinary stone found in
the beds of rivers, i. e., flint smoothed by the action of the water.
If it is desirable to produce square slabs, begin by pouring into a mould
about the eighth of an inch of the pure matter, then pour in, together with as
much of the foreign matter as is required, a second quantity of the compos

page_text: tion, adding to it from twenty to thirty pounds of fine sand (in order to reduce
the expence), and complete the work by another pouring of the composition
over the whole. Thus a square slab is produced, being on each side one-eight
of an inch thick of pure matter, and filled up with a substance, which, although
much cheaper, is equally advantageous.
It must not be forgotten, however, that at the time of pouring the com-
position into the moulds, 5% of oil of rosin must be added to it, in order to
make it more liquid.
If instead of rosin, rectified coal tar is used, a black substance is obtained,
whilst that above would be of a blueish colour, and if the vitrified coal is
suppressed, the rosin and plaster will form a white substance; with these three
colours very pretty articles can be manufactured, as also numerous vareigated
squares.
The moulds must be made of iron, wrought or cast, and of one or more
joints, so as to enable. their being taken to pieces. These moulds must be
placed on an iron slab with a very smooth surface, and sprinkled over with
plaster of Paris; the matter is then poured in, and solidifies as it cools, and
when it is quite cold it is taken from the moulds. Any shape or size may be
obtained; it is but a question of moulds.
If pieces of marble of various designs be placed in a mould and fancifully
arranged by pouring the matter over them, most beautiful mozaics may be
produced of any pattern whatever. Specimens of writing may also be
produced.
When the artificial stones are taken from the moulds there will be found"
on their surface a thin coating of rosin, which will be easily removed with a
hearthstone.
WHITE ASPHALT.