A NEW OR IMPROVED MODE AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING PAINTINGS ON ALL KIND OF TEXTILE AND OTHER FABRICS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Browne, of the Firm of Browne and Company,
Patent Agents, of 5, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED MODE AND MEANS FOR
PRODUCING PAINTINGS ON ALL KIND OF TEXTILE AND OTHER FABRICS." A
communication from abroad by Messrs. Gustave Cleis and Company, of
Montrouge. France.
Sealed the 16th February 1877, and dated the 18th August 1876.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Alexander Browne at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th August 1876.
ALEXANDER BROWNE, of the Firm of Browne and Company, Patent Agents, of
5, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of Middlesex. "A NEW OR
IMPROVED MODE AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING PAINTINGS ON ALL KIND OF TEXTILE
AND OTHER FABRICS." A commmunication from abroad by Messrs. Gustave Cleis
and Company, of Montrouge, France.
This Invention consists in the artistical application of paintings to textile and
other fibers, and I will show by description how successful has been the use of
printing colors according to this Invention to produce artistic works.
advantages it offers are numerous.
The
Heretofore fine materials for furnitures have heen produced by what is known as
tapestry printing or by tapestry, both done mechanically; and when tapestry done
by hand was required it was expensive and took a very long space of time to be
executed, the result at same time very unsatisfactory by the impossibility to produce
a neat drawing, and the difficulty found of blending the colours well. A certain kind of
painting on fabrics or material has been also resorted to, which to a certain extent
presented some advantages compared to printing on tapestry; but in other ways it
presented many inconveniences. Any one who has made use of this kind of work
will understand the value of this process, as the paintings heretofore produced were
only plastic, that is to say, that the colours were fixed on the stuff or fabric by
means of materials adherent to the fabric on one side, and to the colours on the
opposite side, as glue, oil, varnish and the like, the result of which was to produce
a thickness on the stuff or fabric which becomes worn out in a short time, and when
.

page_text: the material becomes dirty it is impossible to clean it without injuring the paintings
thereon.
According to this Invention, the inconveniences aforesaid are removed, and
henceforth pieces of furniture can be manufactured of any desired pattern and
according to taste, as it will be reproduced immediately from artistic works, or by
reproducing old tapestry at the cost only of copies. The last named inconvenience
will by this invention also be avoided, whatever the article may be, as carpets,
coverings, seats, panels, curtains, blinds, and the like, when they become dirty may
be sent to be washed as any other ordinary clothes, and will be thereby rendered
as new and will last until the fabric itself is worn out. It will therefore obviate as
well the inconvenience of ordinary printing.
To lover of arts the economy resulting from this process, as compared to hand
made tapestry and also to mechanical printing, is considerable.
To obtain the results before described this is how I proceed:-The under side of
the textile or other fabric, cotton, linen, wool, silk, is covered with a coat of size of
any kind and of such strength or thickness that when it is laid on with a brush it
does not penetrate more than half the thickness of the fibres. It is then allowed to
dry; when dry, the other side or right side of the fabric receives a coating of
Senegal gum equal in strength to that of the size laid previously on the other side,
and this is also left to dry, then rough drawn by means of well known materials
(colour materials), take the fabric out of the frame and fix the colours by steam, as
it is rather difficult to the operator to ascertain at first sight the result obtained,
by reason of the agglomeration of colours, one touch over the other. The fabric is
replaced on the frame, and the operation is proceeded with until a satisfactory
result has been obtained.
The following advantages, aro among others, the results :-
Superiority of production, as compared to printing by ordinary process, in the
softness, precision, and harmony of shades.
Facility to indefinitely vary patterns, art being substituted for industry, and
artist for machines.
Solidity, durability, and facility of cleaning.
Rapidity of manufacture.
According to this new process of direct painting on textile and other fabrics, I
claim as the application of same to all stuffs or fabrics suitable for the purpose, and
to all articles proper to. be decorated, such as carpets, covers, seats, hangings,
curtains, ornamental panels, blinds, screens, fans, needle cushions, wearing apparel,
dresses, substantially in and by the mode or process and means described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Browne, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.