A Method of Making Engraved (Etched) Blocks direct from the Original Drawing, Diagram, Book, or other Illustrations without the Use of a Negative.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 30th Oct., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Method of Making Engraved (Etched) Blocks direct from the
Original Drawing, Diagram, Book, or other Illustrations without
the Use of a Negative.
THOMAS WILLIAM SANDFORD-HANDS Photographer of 87 Hill Road, Clevedon,
Somersetshire, (a communication from Henry John Hands, Photographer,
Pachmarhi & Jubbulpore Central Provinces East India) do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
By means of my invention etched blocks on zinc, copper, or other metal may be
made direct from any drawing, diagram, illustrations in books, and the like,
without the use of the usual negative, and therefore no camera or other photo-
graphic apparatus is necessary, the only annaratus necessary being the usual
tools used by the etcher.
I carry out my invention as follows:-
I prepare a plate, zinc, copper, or any desired metal, with bichromated albumen
solution. I lay the drawing or illustration to be reproduced face down upon the
prepared metal plate and screw up in a printing frame exactly as in printing from
a negative, the drawing or illustration in this case taking the place of the usual
negative. After exposure for a suitable time which varies according to the
thickness of the paper on which the drawing is made, I roll up the metal plate
with transfer ink and develope as usual. If the exposure has been suitable there
will then be a negative image of the drawing in transfer ink on the metal plate.
The latter is fanned dry, warmed, and then flowed over (preferably) with a
solution of shellac in alcohol. The surplus is drained off, the plate warmed and
the coat of varnish allowed to dry. The plate is then immersed in turpentine and
gently rubbed with cotton wool. This will dissolve the negative image in ink
and leave a reversed positive image, the lines, dots and the like of which will be
of varnish. If the original was composed of close lines, d'ots, and the like without
any large open spaces it may be etched straight away to full depth in a bath of
about two per cent., supposing the metal to be zinc and the mordant nitric acid.
If there be open spaces necessitating deep etching, the first etch is carried far
enough to allow of the plate being rolled up with the glazed roller, then dusted
with resin, the subsequent operations may then be carried out by any of the usual
methods.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
(1.) A method of making etched blocks direct from the original drawing,
diagram, or other illustration in fac-simile; that is to say; correct as regards
right and left and blacks and whites, without the use of a negative substantially
as described.
(2.) A method of making etched blocks direct from the original by means of a
reversal of the first or negative image, the said reversal being preferably obtained

page_text: by coating the plate carrying the said negative or first image with a shellac
varnish or other suitable acid resist and subsequently removing the first or
negative image substantially as described.
Dated this 17th dor of A1807
T. W. SANDFORD-HANDS.