IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING PLATES OR SURFACES, WHICH MAY BE USED AS PRINTING OR EMBOSSING SURFACES, OR AS DOOR PLATES, DIAL OR NUMBER PLATES, OR OTHER PLATES OR SURFACES BEARING INSCRIPTIONS OR DEVICES OF VARIOUS KINDS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for
Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING PLATES
OR SURFACES, WHICH MAY BE USED AS PRINTING OR EMBOSSING SURFACES,
OR AS DOOR PLATES, DIAL OR NUMBER PLATES, OR OTHER PLATES OR
SURFACES BEARING INSCRIPTIONS OR DEVICES OF VARIOUS KINDS."―A
communication.
Sealed the 31st May 1853, and dated the 4th April 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward
Newton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 4th April 1853.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, do hereby declare the nature of the
5 said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING PLATES OR SURFACES,
WHICH MAY BE USED AS PRINTING OR EMBOSSING SURFACES, OR AS DOOR
PLATES, DIAL OR NUMBER PLATES, OR OTHER PLATES OR SURFACES BEARING
INSCRIPTIONS OR DEVICES OF VARIOUS KINDS," to be as follows:-

page_text: This Invention relates, firstly, to an improved method of producing
intagliographic printing and other plates; that is, plates in which the
subject is sunk beneath the general surface of the plate, which repre-
sents the ground, so that for printing plates they shall produce, in
printing therefrom, that intaglio chromographic effect heretofore and
now produced generally by the expensive processes of xylography and
chromo-lithography; and for door plates, tablets, &c. the same effect and
appearance as that heretofore and now generally produced by the ex-
pensive processes of engraving and die sinking. Of course, it will be
evident that the process or method of producing the plates must differ
in some measure according to whether it is intended to produce devices
or inscriptions in intaglio or in relief. The first improvement consists
in, setting up the subject in intaglio types, generally used by printers,
and called "open or outline letters;" and, after locking up the matter
in a chase, or its equivalent, and securing it on a galley or bed, casting
plaster of Paris or other equivalent substance or composition around
the letters, whilst the surface of the letters are held in close contact
with a plate of glass or the equivalent thereof, so that the plaster or its
equivalent shall fill up the entire surface around the letters to a plane
with the surface of the types, except the intaglio letters, characters, or
figures, and then stereotyping the subject thus set up and prepared; by
means of which method I am enabled to present a plate with the sub-
ject in exact duplicate of the intaglio, and with the remaining surface
of the plate on the same plane with the outline of the types, as if the
same had been engraved, but with the important advantage of having
all the characters of equal depth, and with the bottom as smooth and
even as the types from which the plate is produced. This part of the
Invention applies equally to the production of such plates from a form
of types representing ornamental or other delineations as from letters
or characters, and whether the plates be cast of stereotype metal or
other metal or composition.
The next improvement relates to the method of making plates for
embossing, and to be employed in connexion with intagliographic
plates, produced in accordance with the first improvement. This
second improvement consists in taking a cast in plaster or its equi-
valent from a plate produced in accordance with the first part of the

page_text: Invention, and then stereotyping such cast; that is to say, taking a
second, plaster cast from the first plaster cast, and then a metal cast
from the second plaster cast; which metal plate will be a reverse
duplicate in relief of the intaglio-graphic plate, and fitting therein, so
that, in taking an impression between the two, the letters, characters,
or figures will be raised from the general surface, and be thereby,
embossed.
The third improvement relates to the method of producing illumi-
nated printing plates; that is, plates for printing shaded intaglio-graphic
letters, characters, or figures, and consists in producing an intaglio-
graphic plate, in accordance with the first part of the Invention, from
shaded intaglio-graphic types; and, after such plate has been produced,
removing the plaster from the types, so that after an impression has
been taken with the intaglio-graphic plate a second impression can be
taken with the form of types, or a stereotype taken therefrom, to print
the shades, the two impressions corresponding perfectly, the one being
produced from the other.
The last improvement relates to the production of poly-chromatic
printing plates for printing in several colors, and consists in obtaining
from an intaglio-graphic plate, produced in accordance with the first
improvement, a plate or series of plates to register with the first, and
to print within the open letters characters or figures produced by the
first plate; which second or poly-chromatic plate is obtained by taking
an impression in wax or its equivalent from the first or intagliographic
plate, which produces the duplicate in reverse and in relief, and casting
plaster around the relief letters or figures, and then removing the whole
or part of the wax from the plaster plate, which may be termed a
stencil plate, and then finally taking a plaster cast from that face of the
stencil plate opposite to the face which was in contact with the wax,
and then stereotyping such last plaster cast; whereby I am enabled to
produce a plate or series of plates, which together will correspond
exactly with (being an emanation from) the intaglio-graphic plates, but
with the letters, characters, or figures in relief, so as to print in the
open letters produced by the intaglio-graphic plate.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Edward Newton, in the Great Seal
Patent Office, on the 4th October 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the sixteenth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Edward Newton, Her special
licence, that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Edward
Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
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
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING PLATES OR SURFACES, WHICH MAY BE USED AS
PRINTING OR EMBOSSING SURFACES, OR AS DOOR PLATES, DIAL OR NUMBER
PLATES, OR OTHER PLATES OR SURFACES BEARING INSCRIPTIONS OR DEVICES OF
VARIOUS KINDS," being a communication from abroad, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said William Edward Newton, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 Scal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say):

page_text: This Invention of improvements in producing plates or surfaces,
which has been communicated to be by my foreign correspondent,
relates to a novel or improved. process or method of producing intaglio-
graphic illuminated and poly-chromatic plates, which may be used as
printing or embossing surfaces, door plates, window plates, number
and dial plates, monumental and inscription plates, and other such like
plates, which process or method I denominate "chromo-glypotype."
The method of carrying the Invention into effect will be best under-
stood by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1, repre-
sents a type of an intagliographic letter, such as is used by printers,
and called open or outline letters. Figures 2, represent perspec-
tive views of a chase and galley, in which the form of types are to be
set up. Fig. 3, is a perspective view of a tablet of glass mounted in
a frame. Fig. 4, is a cross section of the form of types, chase, galley,
and tablet, clamped together. Fig. 5, represents the intaglio-graphic
printing plate, produced in accordance with the first part of the present
Invention. Figures 6, are detached views of types or blocks, represent-
ing the elements of forms, which can be arranged and confined to
produce designs as represented at Fig. 7. Fig. 8, are embossed letters;
Fig. 9, illuminated or shaded letters; Fig. 10, shaded intaglio type;
Fig. 11, poly-chromatic letters; and Fig. 12, represents a stencil plate
used in the process of obtaining poly-chromatic printing plates.
The same letters indicate like parts in all the Figures.
The first part of the Invention relates to the method of producing
intaglio-graphic printing and other plates, that is, plates in which the
subject is sunk beneath the general surface of the plate, which repre-
sents the ground, so that for printing plates they shall produce in
printing therefrom that intaglio-chromographic effect heretofore and
now generally produced by the expensive processes of xylography and
chromo-lithography; and for door plates, tablets, and other similar
articles, the same effect and appearance as that heretofore and now
generally produced by the expensive process of engraving and die
sinking.
This part of the Invention consists in setting up the subject in
intaglio types, such as are generally used by printers, and called "open"

page_text: or "outline letters," and, after locking up the "matter" in a chase or its
equivalent, and securing the types on a galley or bed plaster of Paris,
or other equivalent substance or composition, is cast on or around the
letters, whilst the surface of the letters is held in close contact with a
plate of glass or the equivalent thereof, so that the plaster or its
equivalent shall fill up the entire surface around the letters to a plane
with the surface of the types, except the intaglio letters, characters, or
figures; after which the subject thus set up and prepared must be
stereotyped. And by means of this method, I am enabled to present a
plate with the subject in exact duplicate of the intaglio letters,
characters, or figures, and with the remaining surface of the plate on
the same plane with the outline of the types, as if the same had been
engraved, but with the important advantage of having all the characters
of equal depth, and with the bottom as smooth and even as the types
from which the plate is produced.
This part of the Invention applies equally to the production of such
plates from a form of types representing ornamental or other delinca-
tions as from letters or characters, and whether the plates be cast of
stereotype metal or other metal or composition.
The second part of the Invention relates to the method of making
plates for embossing, and is intended to be employed in connection with
the intaglio-graphic plates, produced in accordance with the first part
of the Invention.
This part of the Invention consists in taking a cast in plaster, or its
equivalent, from a plate produced in accordance with the first part of
the Invention, and then stereotyping such cast, (that is to say,) taking
a second plaster cast from the first plaster cast, and then a metal cast
from the second plaster cast, which metal plate will be a reverse dupli-
cate in relief of the intaglio-graphic plate, and will fit therein; so that
in taking impressions on paper or other substance, the intaglio-graphic
plate is used to print the letters or device in intaglio on one surface,
and then the impression is made on the other side of the paper, which
forces up the intaglio letters or device, thereby producing the effect
called embossing.
The third part of the Invention relates to the method of producing

page_text: illuminated printing plates, that is, plates for producing shaded
intaglio-graphic letters, characters, or figures, and consists in pro-
ducing an intaglio-graphic plate in accordance with the first part of the
Invention, from a form of shaded intaglio-graphic types, and, after
such plate has been produced, removing the plaster from the form
of types, so that after an impression has been taken with the intaglio-
graphic plate, a second impression can be taken with the form of types,
or a stereotype taken therefrom to print the shades, the two, impressions
corresponding perfectly, the one being produced from the other.
And the last part of the Invention relates to the production of poly-
chromatic printing plates for printing in several colors, and consists in
obtaining from an intaglio-graphic plate, produced in accordance with
the first part of the Invention, a plate or series of plates to register
with the first, and to print within the open letters characters, or, figures
produced by the first plate; which second or poly-chromatic plate is
obtained by taking an impression in wax or its equivalent from the
first or intaglio-graphic plate, which produces the duplicate in reverse
and in relief, and casting plaster around the relief letters or figures, and
then removing the whole or part of the wax from the plaster plate,
which may be termed a stencil plate, and then finally taking a plaster
cast from that face of the stencil plate opposite to the face, which was
in contact with the wax, and then stereotyping such last plaster cast,
whereby I am enabled to produce a plate or series of plates, which
together will correspond exactly, being an emanation from the intaglio-
graphic plate, but with the letters, characters, or figures in relief, so
as to print in the open letters produced by the intaglio-graphic.plate.
The following is the mode of procedure for producing an intaglio-
graphic printing plate, that is, a plate, the letters or subject matter of
which is sunk beneath the surface, so that after the impression has been
made therefrom the form of the letters or the subject matter shall be
left of the original color of the paper or surface on which the impres-
sion is made.
The usual intaglio-graphic letters called "open" or "outline" letters,
Fig. 1, are set up in a form in the usual manner, and locked up in a
chase a, (Figs. 2,) after which they are secured on a galley b, of wood or

page_text: metal. The letters being thus arranged and secured, take a tablet c,
Fig. 3, which consists of a plate of glass properly secured to a frame or
block of wood d, with flanches e, on three sides that project over the
edges of the galley. The face of the tablet is then to be laid on the
face of the types, and the whole secured together by means of clamps f,
so that the face of the glass tablet shall be pressed in close contact with
the face of the types. The whole, thus clamped together, is placed with
that edge of the tablet upwards which has no flanch, as in the section
Fig. 4; and when thus arranged, plaster of Paris in the liquid state, as
used in stereotyping, is poured in to fill up the entire space around the
types. After the plaster has become thoroughly set, the clamps are
loosened and the tablet removed, when it will be found that the plaster
surface is on the same plane with the surface of the types, leaving the
intaglio-graphic characters sunk beneath the surface of the original
letters, and the plaster cast around them. From this take a plaster
cast in the same manner as stereotypers mould a form, and this cast
will have the characters or subject matter in relief, that is, projecting
from the general surface or ground. And from this second plaster cast
take a metal cast or stereotype plate, Fig. 5, in which the letters or
characters will appear precisely as in the form of types first set up, and
with the general surface on one plane, and the letters or characters
sunk in beneath such surface, as if engraved, which plate I term an
"intaglio-graphic plate."
From plates thus prepared, impressions can be taken in which the
surface of the letters or characters will be left of the original color of
the paper or other substance on which the impression is made; the ink
for the impression being applied to the entire surface of such plates,
except such portions as are sunk beneath the general surface, and which
constitutes the character or subject matter.
Printing from such plates will produce that intaglio-chromographic
effect heretofore produced by the expensive processes of xylography and
chromo-lithography.
Instead of letters or characters, intaglio-graphic plates can be pro-
duced in the same manner for printing ornamental devices and devices
of all kinds, by setting up in like manner intaglio-graphic types of the

page_text: forms required, and for this purpose I make types of what may be
termed the elements of forms; some of these are, represented separately
at Fig. 6, and a number of them arranged in the form of a design,
Fig. 7, and attached to a plate h, instead of being secured in a chase, as
in the case of letters, although such types may be made with stems like
other types, so that they can be secured in a chase and on a galley.
For securing these elements, when made as represented, the surface
of the plate h, or galley, should be first coated with a thin layer of any
suitable adhesive substance or cement, and on this draw the designs
required to be produced, and arrange the types or elements of form
along these lines and press them into the adhesive coating, or these
elements may be tacked on to the surface of a block; and if the figures
of the designs are such that the inside of the figures do not communi-
cate with the outside, so that the plaster can run all around them,
notches should be cut in from the under surface of some of the
elements, as shewn at i, Fig. 6; and when the design is arranged, the
glass tablet is to be applied and secured thereto, and clamped, and the
plaster run in, as in the first example with letters; and after that a
plaster cast is to be taken, and from the plaster cast the intaglio-graphic
plate is produced, as before.
In this way intaglio-graphic plates can be produced with designs of
any kind, from types or elements of forins, at very little cost, from which
impressions can be produced without the expensive processes heretofore
practised.
Metal door plates, window plates, and signs, tablets, inscriptions and
ornaments for monuments, tombs, and other articles, can be procured
in the same manner, and with any desired inscription, ornament, or
design; for after the plaster cast has been taken from the form of types
or elements of forms properly arranged and surrounded by plaster, as
above described, any kind of metal or composition can be cast in the
plaster mould thus obtained to produce duplicates in intaglio of the
types or forms first arranged and set up, and with the entire face on
the same plane with the surface of the types.
If desired, the ground can be further ornamented in relief, by
previously cutting ornaments in the face of the glass tablet, which is

page_text: laid on the types preparatory to pouring in the plaster solution, so that
the plaster ground surrounding the types of letters, characters, or
designs, will have the ornaments which were cut on the face of the
tablet in relief, whilst the letters, characters, or designs first set up in
types will be in intaglio.
The plaster cast taken from this will be the reverse of all this; that
is, the ornaments that were cut on the tablet will be in intaglio, and
the original matter set up in relief, and hence, when the metal plate is
cast therefrom, it will re-produce the original.
Instead of the glass tablet any other substance can be substituted to
which plaster will not adhere. I prefer, however, to use glass.
And I would also remark that I do not limit myself to the use of
plaster in solution to run around the form of types, and for stereotyping,
as other substances may be found to answer the purpose, but I mention
the use of plaster as I have employed it with success.
The mode of procedure for making embossing printing plates, that is,
plates for printing the surface and raising the characters or ornamental
configurations, such as are represented at Fig. 8, is as follows: -
First produce an antaglio-graphic plate in the manner above described
as constituting the first part of the Invention, and secure it in a chase
or galley, and, after properly oiling the surface, take a plaster cast
therefrom, which will be the exact reverse thereof, fitting every part of
the plate on which it is cast. Then stereotype this plaster cast, that is,
ake a plaster cast from it, which will be same as the intaglio plate;
and then from this second plaster cast obtain a metal plate, Fig. 8,
which will be the embossing plate, as every concavity of the first or
intaglio plate will be in relief on this, and vice versâ, the one fitting
within the other in the most perfect manner.
In this way, by printing on one side with the intaglio-graphic plate,
and then impressing on the other side with the second or relief plate,
the letters or characters will be forced up and produce the embossing
effect.
The advantages of this mode of procedure are, that the figures or
characters of the one plate will accurately fit the corresponding figures
of the other plate; and as the first or intaglio-graphic plate is obtained

page_text: from types set up in a chase and secured on a galley, so that the
surface of all of them will be on the same plane, and the concavities of
the intaglio plate are produced by moulding and casting therefrom, it
must follow that the bottom of all the concavities of the intaglio plate
will be smooth, and on one and the same plane, so that the surface of
the relief characters or figures on the embossing plate will be on the
same plane, and will produce good relief or raised impressions.
I am thus enabled to avoid not only the great expense of cutting a
matrix and die plate to fit each other, which is attended with great
labour and expense, but at the same time the surface of the two plates
must be of corresponding planes, which could scarcely be done by
obtaining a re-duplicate from an engraved plate; for it would be very
laborious and expensive to cut the bottom surface of intaglio letters or
characters of equal depth and smoothness; and if not of equal depth
and smoothness, then the upper surface of the relief characters or
figures of the embossing plate will be imperfect and unfit for use, as it
will have all the imperfections of the engraving, and therefore wholly
unadapted to embossing or printing relief characters or figures.
The mode of procedure for producing illuminated printing plates,
that is, plates for printing shaded letters, characters, and figures, as
represented at Fig. 9, is as follows:--
For the production of such plates, first proceed precisely as above
described to produce an intaglio-graphic printing plate, except that on
setting up the matter, what are called shaded intaglio types (see Fig.
10,) should be selected; and after producing an intaglio-graphic plate,
saturate the plaster which was cast around the types with fish oil,
which has the effect to separate it from the types so that it can be
readily removed. And for printing, either use the types thus set up in
the chase or a stereotype taken therefrom, as either will register with
the antagliographic plate, as the one has emanated from the other.
First print with the intaglio-graphic plate, by which the ground
around the letters, characters, or figures is colored, and then print the
shades of another color with the original form of types, or with the
stereotype plate taken therefrom.
In this way, with a proper register, the shades can be printed on

page_text: the ground with perfect accuracy; for the plate which makes the first
impression is the exact duplicate of the form of types, without the
shading surfaces, so that the intaglio. surface of the two will perfectly
correspond.
For the production of poly-chromatic plates for printing letters, as
shewn at Fig. 11, take an intaglio-graphic plate, produced according
to the first part of the Invention, and surround it by a border, into
which run wax, stearine, or other equivalent substance, which will melt
by a moderate degree of heat, and thus obtain a reverse duplicate,
which will have the letters or characters in relief; then surround this
cast with a border, and pour the solution of plaster thereon; and as it
begins to harden or set with a sharp straight edge, I scrape off the
plaster to a level with the surface of the relief characters or figures;
and after the plaster is thoroughly set and hard, I apply sufficient
heat to melt out the wax or stearine, and thus obtain a plaster mould
for a metallic stencil plate, (see Fig. 12,), with the letters or charac-
ters in open work, corresponding with those of the intaglio plate.
If it be desired to produce letters or characters resembling those
represented at Fig. 11, first print with the intaglio-graphic plate which
colours the ground, leaving the letters or characters of the original color
of the surface printed upon; then melt out the wax or stearine from
the plaster stencil plate, and secure that face of it which was in contact
with the wax against a suitable plate, and cast a metal plate therefrom,
which will be a duplicate of the intaglio plate, but with the letters or
characters in relief; and which, having emanated from it, will register
perfectly with it, so as to print any desired color on the parts of the
paper left untouched by the intaglio plate; and as the plate with the
relief letters or characters is a cast taken from a mould made on the
wax mould, within the intaglio letters or characters, the contraction of
the wax and of the metal will make the surface of the relief letters or
devices slightly smaller than the intaglio letters or devices; hence,
when printed, a line will be left of the original color of the paper,
between the color of the ground and that last printed within. But if
it be desired to produce an effect like that indicated by the letter
(Fig. 11,) take two casts from the stencil plate, and cut away the

page_text: centre of the letters from one cast, and the top and bottom of the
letters from the other, and thus produce duplicates of these casts in
metal, which will, as in the preceding example, register with the
intaglio plate so as to print in any desired color, in parts of the surface
left untouched by the intaglio plate.
In this way the letters or subject may be divided to any extent desired,
by subdividing the stencil plate to any extent, so as to produce a series of
printing plates, each one in succession printing a separate portion, and
which, as they all emanate from the intaglio plate, will register most
accurately with it.
It is not deemed necessary to describe other varieties, as persons
acquainted with this branch of the arts will be able to modify the
arrangements at pleasure.
It will be obvious that after the plaster has been cast around the
intaglio or outline types, the surface of the plaster can be further
ornamented by cutting lines into its surface, which lines will be re-
produced by stereotyping.
And although I have described the use of plaster of Paris in the
process, and wax or stearine, I do not wish to be understood as limit-
ing myself to the use of these substances, as other equivalent substances
may be substituted, but I mention these because they have been tried
with success, and are believed to be the best.
What I claim as new in the present Invention, and desire to secure
by Letters Patent, is producing intaglio-graphic printing, and other
plates, from forms of types, by surrounding the types, whilst in contact
with a glass plate or its equivalent, with plaster of Paris or some other
equivalent and suitable substance, so that, when set, the surface of the
plaster or other material will be on the same plane with the surface
of the types; after which the form of types thus surrounded may be
stereotyped in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.
I also claim producing embossing plates by taking a cast in plaster,
or its equivalent, from an intaglio-graphic plate, and then stereotyping
such plaster cast, as specified; thus producing a reverse duplicate in
relief, as set forth.

page_text: I also claim producing what are called illuminated printing plates,
for printing shades, intaglio-graphic letters, characters, or figures, by
producing an intaglio-graphic plate, as set forth in the first part of the
Invention, from a form of shaded types, and then removing the plaster
from the form of types, as described; so that after printing in intaglio
with the intaglio-graphic plate, the shadows can be printed either with
the form of types after the plaster has been removed, or with a stereo-
type taken therefrom, as set forth.
And, finally, I claim producing poly-chromatic printing plates from
an intaglio-graphic plate, by taking a cast therefrom in relief, and from
such relief obtaining what I term a stencil plate or plates, from which
the plate or plates is or are obtained, to have the letters, characters,
or figures, in whole or in part, in duplicate of the intaglio-graphic letters
or devices, and in relief, so as to register therewith as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fourth day of October, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
three.
Witness, J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane, London.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.S.)