A NEW METHOD AND PROCESS OF PERFORMING THE VARIOUS BRANCHES OF THE ART OF PRINTING ON PAPER, LINEN, Co, OTNT WOOLLEN, AND OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1801

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, JOHN
ALOYSIUS SENEFELDER, of Gould Square, in the Parish of Saint Olave, Hart
Street, in the City of London, Gentleman, sends greeting.
WHEREAS, by His Majesty's Letters Patent under the Great Seal of
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at West
minster, the Twentieth day of June last, reciting that the said John Aloysius
Senefelder, had, by his Petition, humbly represented unto His Majesty, that
he had, after much trouble, labor, and expence, found out and invented
A NEW METHOD AND PROCESS OF PERFORMING THE VARIOUS BRANCHES OF THE
ART OF PRINTING ON PAPER, LINEN, Co, OTNT WOOLLEN, AND OTHER ARTICLES;"
that he is the first and true Inventor thereof, and that the same had never
been made or used by any other person or persons, to the best of his
knowledge and belief; the Petitioner therefore most humbly prayed that His
Majesty would be graciously pleased to grant unto him, his executors,
administrators, and assigns, His Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, for the sole use, benefit,
and advantage of his said Invention, within that part of His Dominions called
England, His Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, for
the term of fourteen years, according to the Statute in that case made and
provided; and His Majesty, being willing to give encouragement to all arts
and inventions which might be for the public good, was graciously pleased
to condescend to the Petitioner's request, therefore His Majesty, for Him,
His heirs and successors, did give and grant unto the said John Aloysius
Senefelder, his executors, administrators, and assigns, His special licence, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that he, the said John Aloysius Senefelder

page_text: his executors, administrators, and assigns, and every of them, by himself and
themselves, or by his and their deputy or deputies, servants or agents, or such
others as he, the said John Aloysius Senefelder, his executors, administrators,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term of years therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend his said Invention within that
part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England,
the Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in such manner
as to him, the said John Aloysius Senefelder, his executors, administrators,
and assigns, or any of them, should in his or their discrétions seem meet, and
that he, the said John Aloysius Senefelder, his executors, administrators, and
assigns, should and lawfully might have and enjoy the whole profit, benefit.,
commodity, and advantage from time to time coming, growing, accruing,
and arising, by reason of the said Invention, for and during the term of years
therein mentioned, to hold, exercise, and enjoy the said licence, powers,
privileges, and advantages therein-before granted or mentioned to be granted
unto the said John Aloysius Senefelder, his executors, administrators, and
.assigns, for and during and unto the full end and term of fourteen years
from the date of those Presents next and immediately ensuing, and fully.to
be compleat and ended, according to the Statute in such case made and
provided; in which said Letters Patent now in recital is contained a proviso
that if the said John Aloysius Senefelder, should not particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of his said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under his hand and seat,
and cause the same to be inrolled in the High Court of Chancery within
one calendar month next and immediately after the date of the Letters
Patent now in recital, that then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties and
advantages whatsoever thereby granted, should utterly cease, determine, and
be void, anything therein-before contained to the contrary thereof in anywise
notwithstanding.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Aloysius Senefelder, do hereby declare that my said Invention is
described in the Plan hereunto annexed, and the description thereof hereunder
written, and in manner following, that is to say :-
My Invention consists in three parts or particulars: 1st, in the method
by which I make and prepare the original forms, models, or printing blocks,
from which the drawings, writing, or other delineations thereon made, are to
be transferred on paper, linen, cotton, cloth, woollen, silk, leather, parchment,
vellum, and all other articles, inaterials, or substances upon which it may

page_text: be desired to print, to render them fit for taking off impressions. 2nd, in
making those original forms, models, or printing blocks, not only of such
substances as have already been employed for such purposes, but also of
such as have not hitherto been employed for such purposes. 3rd, it consists
in the new method by which I print, that is to say, by which I transfer the
ink, colouring, or other matter (such as Mordaunt's thickened with gum or
other mixtures employed in calico priuting) from those forms on the paper,
linen, cotton, cloth, woollen, silk, leather, parchment, vellum, and all other
articles, materials, or substances.-N.B. The drawing of the machine which
I make use of is here annexed, together with proper references.
$1st. As to making and preparing of the original form, models,
or printing blocks, I avail myself of all the methods hitherto used or
known in the different arts connected with printing for making the said
original forms, models, or printing blocks, not only with regard to such
substances as have already been employed for the like purposes, but such
other substances also as have not yet been used for the same, and make
use of them in conjunction with my newly-invented improvements; and
also my newly-discovered manner of preparing them for striking off the
impression, which differs in this from the usual one, that whenever their
surface, being so prepared, comes in contact with the body imparting
to them the colour, only those parts which constitute the print, drawing,
letters, figures, or other traces or delineations, are impregnated with
the colour, whilst at the same time all the other parts of their surface
continue free from colour; consequently, the said print, drawing, letters,
figures, or other traces or delineations, may be either even with the
whole surface of those plates, original forms, models, or printing blocks, or
only imperceptibly raised; whereas in the usual methods those traces or
delincations must be sufficiently raised from the ground of the forin, models,
or printing blocks,as in the cominon letter-press, calico and woodcut printing,in
order to prevent the said ground from being bedaubed with colour; but my
Invention possesses at the same time this advantage, that the figures or tracés
may not only be even with the plate, original form, model, or printing block,
or raised, but also etched or engraved, or cut in or made deeper than the
surface of the plate, original form, model, or printing block, and still the
effect will be the same, as before stated. This partial colouring of the surface
of the model or form is effected by covering or fixing upon those parts which
are to receive the printing ink, colouring, or other matter, or by impregnating
the said parts with such a substance, simple or compound, as is either of the
same nature with the ink or colouring or other matter which is to be used
or at least easily combined with and is received by it, whilst at the ane

page_text: time the other parts of the said surface are covered with, impregnated, by,
or have affixed upon them such other substance, simple; or compound, as
is different from the printing, ink, colouring, or other matter, and of such, a
nature as not, easily to combine with or be received by. it. If, therefore, the
colouring, or other matter, or printing ink be a fat or resinous.substance,, the
said traces must be covered by, or impregnated with, or, have. affixed upon
them another of the same kind, or at least such as easily combines with
and is received by the former, and can easily be fixed upon them, and. the
other parts of the surface of the original model or form, must be ended with
or have affixed upon them, a substance, simple or compound, that does not
at all, or at least, not readily, combine with the before-mentioned. fattish or
resinous matter of the printing ink, colouring or other matter used. But if
the printing.colour, or other matter employed to print with, be neither fattish
nor resinous, the process must be reversed; that is. to say, those parts of
the original forms, models, or printing blocks which are to be kept clear-from
the said printing colour, or other matter employed to print with,, must be
covered with fat,, fattish, or resinous substances;, that do not, easily-unite; or
combine with the said printing ink or other matter used to print with, at the
same time that the figures, traces, or other delineations.on, the original forms,
models,, or printing blocks are impregnated. with a substance, capable of
union with it. It is obvious, from this that, the substances or matters.fit for
this purpose, may in, general; be divided into two classes: 1st, the one which
comprises all fattish or resinous matters, whereby entirely of animal or
vegetable origin, as butter, tallow,, beeswax, train oil, vegetable oils;. &c.,
or such in which any one or more of those are ingredients, for instance,
the several species, of soap. 2d, the second class includes all substances
which are not fat, and, whether in the dry or liquid, state,, do; not; at, all,
or not easily, combine or, mix, with fat or with, resinous matters: Under
this head come all liquids that are neither, fat nor resinous, more especially
those which hold a vegetablegum or any acid in solution, and which, either
of themselves, or in their state of combination, with other, matters, will, in
some manner attack or dissolve, or adhere to the substance of which the
main body of the original form, model, or printing block is made..
§ 2nd. From what has been said, it follows, concerning the second par-
ticular, of, my. Invention, that, every substance, though hitherto not used, for
this,purpose, may. be more or less. fit, for making-an-original forin, model;.or
printing block, provided it be possessed, of sufficient solidity and compactness,
and provided it will admit of being impregnated with or penetrated or dissolved,
attacked or acted upon by certain gummous, acidulous; or other liquids.which
are not fat, at, the same time that it admits any of the different:species

page_text: of fattish or resinous matters to be made adherent to or to be imbibed by
certain parts of its surface.
.
§3rd With respect to my manner of printing or of transferring the ink,
colouring, or other matter (§ 1) upon paper, linen, cotton, cloth, woollen, silk,
leather, parchment,. vellum, or other article. I do, in some instances, employ
all the usual and known presses and methods, as well by themselves; as in com-
bination with my newly-inventedimprovements and apparatus, butin generalthe
latter will be found preferable. Ishall proceed to state the principles thereof:-
A blunt rectilinear body or a cylinder of wood, or metal, or other substance
of sufficient solidity (this last turning on its axis) is moved over the back of
the paper, linen, cotton, cloth, woollen, silk, leather, parchment, vellum, or other
article destined to receive the impression, by means of an apparatus resembling
that of the machines used, in glazing calico, while the paper, linen, cotton, or
other article rests on the form, which for the most part is fixed on the table, or
in some cases as, where an, original form or model of little weight be employed
(such as one made of paper, for instance). This latter may be fixed ou tlic
large frame, and the paper, linen, cotton, or other article to be printed laid on
a thick plate of metal or wood, or other solid substance fixed on the table in
its proper place; and rendered somewhat elastic by placing a leather cushion
under it stuffed with horschair. This kind of press is shewn with its ground.
plan and petal or treadle, plan of the table, front and side view, in orthographic
elevation. It's great utility consists chiefly in the following points.:-
1st. That, it is of very simple construction and consequently cheap. 2nd.
That it is much less likely to injure the original form, model, or printing block
when of a fragile substance, such as a stone slab, for instance, than a copper-
plate press.. 3rd. That the original form, model, or printing block remaining
fast in its place during the printing, much time and trouble is saved.
4th. That by altering the size of the blunt rectilinear body at pleasure it may
be made to pass over a large or very small surface only, in which latter case
the power is obviously increased in proportion to the smallness of the space on
which it is executed at any one time, and the power so produced will.be found
to make ample amends for, the trouble necessarily connected therewith of pass-
ing and repassing the said small blunt rectilinear body or.cylinder several times
in order to touch.every part of the intended print (see Fig. I., II., III., IV).
The manipulations, used in printing will be more fully treated of in the
sequel.
§-4th. To illustrate § 1, let any writing or figures, or other delineation.be
made with a mixture of melted hog's-lard,and lamp black, kept liquid over the
fire on a polished slab of sufficient thickness; of fine-grained compact limestone,.

page_text: of a foliated or slaty fracture, ground perfectly clean and even. When cold
and perfectly dry moisten the whole surface with water, by means of a linen
or calico rag or spuuge steeped in it, and wrung out again a little. If imme-
diately after a printer's ball, thinly besmeared with common letter-press
printing ink, be passed over the stone, only the traces made with the blackened
lard will receive the ink, while the other parts of it's surface moistened with
water will continue intirely clean as long as they continue moist. An
impression may then be taken from this writing by the press just now
mentioned.
§5th. From this last preceding paragraph, and from § 1, it is evident
how, according to my Invention, the surface of any substance possessing the
before-mentioned properties may be converted into a printing block, model, or
form, serving to make impressions from it.
And having thus explained the principles on which my Invention rests, I
shall now proceed to describe various particulars and manipulations to be
observed in putting it into practice.
The writing or drawing with hog's-lard or other fat matter, made and kept
liquid over the fire, would turn out too incommodious and imperfect; there-
fore, various compositions and mixtures of the different kinds of fat oil,
resins, and such like substances, may be rendered soluble in water by the
addition of an alkali (potashes or soda), or of a soap which contains already an
alkali, combined with fat or oil, and may be cinployed in this state, provided
that care has been taken to make their respective portions such that they may
leave, after the dessication of the water, traces sufficiently fat and sufficiently
adhering to the original form, model, or printing block, so as to receive the
fat printing ink in these places. These mixtures may, of course, be almost
infinitely varied. The following two, however, will be found to possess every
requisite: 1st. Take one part mastich, commonly called gum mastich; three
parts shell lac; one part soap, made of tallow of the purest and hardest sort;
one part lamp black. The three first ingredients are melted over a gentle
fire, and when somewhat cooled, but still soft, the lamp black is well
incorporated with them by stirring. 2d. Take two parts beeswax; two
parts beef suet, previously melted and freed from impurities by straining;
one part soap, the same as before mentioned; one part lamp black. These
ingredients are melted and mixed like the preceding. As every soap does not
contain the same proportion of alkali and fat, the general rule is to take as
much of it as may be required to render the other ingredients of the said inks,
No. 1 and 2, completely soluble in rain water, distilled, or any other soft and
pure water. To perform this a ball or lump of these com positions is rubbed

page_text: in a small saucer which contains the water, and which for the ink No. 1 may
be made warm, but for the ink No. 2 cold water is preferable. Note, a
third composition similar to these here described, but used in a dry state, will
be given in the sequel.
6th. Though, according to §.2nd, many substances may be employed for
making original forms, models, or printing blocks, yet I have found by experience
that pure compact carbonate of lime, that is to say, limestone of a fine grain,
especially of a foliated and thick slaty fracture, is the most suitable. I.shall
now shew the manner of making an original form of it. 1st. The surface of
this stone, which may be of any size, but proportional to the size of the intended
Drawing, aud.not less than two inches thick, must be ground very smooth, and
polished. Upon this the writing or drawing is made by any of the above-
mentioned two inks, with a common or a steel pen, or painter's brush, after
which the delineations must be suffered to dry. 2d. After the complete
drying of the writing or drawing, one part of single aqua-fortis, diluted with
twenty parts of water, is poured upon the stone, which will not affect the parts
covered by the ink, if this has it's due degree of dessication and consistence,
but only the uncovered parts. This biting should be continued until the traces
of the ink appear raised on the surface of the stone to the thickness of thin
writing paper. 3rd. In the next place the whole surface of the stone plate is
cautiously rubbed over with a fine linen rag, steeped in a solution of eight
ounces of gum arabic in one quart of water, or any other pure vegetable gum
may be taken in lieu of the gum arabic, as well in this instance as all others
where it is used in my Invention. When sufficiently spread all over the
surface of the plate, it may be kept in a dry place 'til wanted for printing.
In this case, 4th, the gum is nearly wiped off by gently rubbing the surface of
the plate with a linen rag and water, so much so that a very slight portion
only may adhere to the plate. A fine linen rag is then dipped into the
printing liquor, prepared of one hundred and twenty parts water, one part
aqua-fortis, and one part of gum arabic dissolved in it. This rag, when the
liquor is nearly wrung out again so as to be but strongly moistened with it, is
passed over the whole surface of the plate. By this management only the
delineated traces will afterwards receive the fat printing ink, because the
acidulous gum water imparts to the other parts of the surface, as long as they
are kept moist by it, the property of not becoming impregnated or covered
with the said ink. Thus the original form, model, or printing block is made
and prepared.
§ 7th. As to my manner of printing, the stone plate being thus prepared
and being placed on the table between the strong cross pieces (Fig. IV., a, a),

page_text: and wedged in on every side to lay firm and steady, I impregnate it with
the printing ink, which, in this instance, may be made like that commonly
used in letter-press printing. Or if it is desired to print in colours, any colour
may be employed, and be mixed with the linseed oil varnish, provided it be
such that it admits of being incorporated with the said varnish so intimately
as not to be dissolved by the printing liquor used to keep the original form,
model, or printing block moist. The impregnating it withink is performed in
the manner used by letter-press printers, by means of an elastic ball. The
paper being previously moistened, as in book or copper-plate printing, is laid
on the leather stretched on the large frame (Fig. II., g). The frisket
(Fig. II., ) is then laid down and fastened to this frame by the spring
(Fig. VII., o). Upon this the large frame itself is turned round on its hinges
and made to rest on the cross pieces before mentioned, so that the side of the
paper, calico, or other article destined to receive the impression comes in
contact with the surface of the stone, and its delincations already covered with
ink the whole of this process is the same with that in book printing.. It is
now time to lay hold of the pole, which, while its knee or flexible elbow
(Fig. V., a) is bent, is placed upou the leather, so that the printing roller.
(Fig. 2,) be in a right line across the upper edge of the leather and stone
block under it. The elbow is then turned straight, so that the whole pole,
with its roller and apparatus, be perpendicular and stiff, in a straight line from
the clastic board on the top of the press (Fig. II.,) down to the leather, and in
this situation it is moved backwards and forwards by taking hold of the lower
part of the pole. The pressure and force is increased by putting the foot on
the pedal or treadle (Fig. II., c) in the moment that the motion forwards is
begun. When the printing is done, the pole, with it's roller, are put on the
hook on the side of the press (Fig. II., n), and when the frame with its
frisket are turned up again, the print or impression appears. In this manner
a number of impressions may be taken off, with the observance of moistening
the stone well with the printing liquor (§ 7, No. 4) cach time before the
blackening ball is passed over it, and to keep it moist during the whole process
of printing. N.B.-When the printing is finished in the manner before
described, the stone, with the drawings or other delineations made thereon, is
preserved by brushing over it the solution of gum arabic in water, indicated
§ 6, which must be washed nearly off again when employed for a new printing,
so that a slight portion only of the gum adhere to the plate, as mentioned in
§ 6. The stone may be ground again and polished, and thus be rendered
capable of receiving new delineations, and of serving for a new original printing
block.

page_text: §8. In the above manner all marbles and calcareous stones possessed of the
properties mentioned, §. 2 and 6, may be employed for this purpose; but it
is evident, that in proportion as they are contaminated with foreign matter
they are less proper for this purpose; for this reason pure limestone, such
as I described (§ 6), deserves in every respect the preference.
§ 9th. Metallic plates of single or alloyed metals, or even some semi-
metals, are likewise a fit subject to serve as original printing blocks. When
they have been rendered smooth and flat, and properly polished, the drawing
or other delincation is made upon them with the ink No. 1, § 6, after which
they are bit or etched with a weak solution of hepar sulphuris in water, a
slight portion of which is suffered to remain on the plate, which by this means
will be guarded against receiving the fat printing ink in those places which
were not previously covered by the Drawing. The remaining parts of the
process are performed in the same manner as mentioned with respect to the
printing blocks made of stone plates or slabs, with this difference only, that
the printing liquor used in keeping the plate moist must be prepared of one
hundred and twenty parts water, four parts gun arabic, and fifteen or twenty
parts potash.
§ 10th. My Invention also posses this advantage, that from plates of
copper, tin, pewter, and various metallic compounds already etched or
engraved, whether in the stroke or chalk engraving, or mezzo-tinto,
scraping, or any other manner, as well as letter engraving made thereon,
copies may be printed off much more expeditiously than in the usual way
of copper-plate printing. To perform this, common copper-plate ink is
rubbed in the ordinary way into the cavities produced by the aqua-fortis,
graver, &c., &c., and then their surface is cleaned by a solution of potash
in water. In the next place they are brushed over with a weak solution
of hepar sulphuris in water, as indicated in the preceding paragraph, and
wiped dry. In the process of printing the printing liquor before indicated
for metallic plates is made use of instead of the one described, § 6, c. The
colour is then put on with the printer's ball, and the rest of the operation
performed in the same manner as I have before explained with regard to the
original printing forms made of stone plates; for, as long as a slight portion of
the hepar sulphuris (which if found necessary may occasionally be renewed)
adheres to the surface of the plate, and as long as this surface is kept moist by
the printing liquor just now recommended for this case, the fatiuk will be taken
up only by the lines, dots, &c. in their respective cavities, previously filled as
before described by the same ink.
§ 11th. Even paper and such like substances may, according to the prin-

page_text: ciples on which my invention is founded, be adapted to serve as forms for this
new method of printing; for instance, write or draw with the ink No. 1, § 5,
on a strong and well sized paper. When the delineation is completely dry
brush it over with the beard of a quill or flat brush filled with a mixture of
equal parts of sulphuric acid or oil of vitriol and water, as quickly as you can,
to save the paper from destruction. The cavities then formed round the
traces of the Drawing by the swelling of the paper must be directly filled
with letter-press printing ink, and the paper speedily cemented or fixed by
means of a strong paste or varnish, or any other means, on a plate of metal,
stone, or wood, or any other convenient solid substance. In the operation of
printing keep this surface moist with water, and proceed in all other respects,
as in a form prepared for that purpose of stone, according to the manner
explained before. Note, the durability of a substance so soft as paper and
so liable to destruction, may in some manner be increased by employing paper
impregnated with liusced oil, as the common tracing paper used by engravers,
and previously well dried.
From what has been said in the foregoing part of this Specification,
it is manifest that there are a vast number of bodies, artificial compounds,
as well as natural substances, which, if possessed of a sufficient degree
of compactness and solidity, may be more or less adapted to serve as
forms or models in this new method of printing, inasmuch as by certain
acidulous, gummous, or other chemical mixtures they may acquire the
property of seizing the fat printing ink only in certain places determined
by previous delineations on their surface, while it does not in the least attach
itself to the other places in consequence of their preparation. And this
remark is confirmed by two considerations:-1st, that even such bodies
which are fat of themselves (for instance, paper drenched with linseed oil),
and therefore strongly disposed to unite with fat, may, by the preparations
mentioned in § 6, be made to refuse that union; and 2nd, that bodies dis-
inclined to take up fat colors, or to take them only in a small degree, can be
prepared to receive them fully in their cavities, either made by etching by the
graver, by punches, or by any other means; and in those cavities the color
may be suffered to dry so that it may adhere more firmly, preserving at the
same time the other parts of their surfaces untouched by the fat colours
(§ 9 and 10). It would therefore be utterly impossible to enumerate all the
substances which, according to the principles of my newly-discovered manner
of printing, might be employed as substances from which models, printing
forms, or blocks might be made. Beside that the enumeration, though it were
possible, is altogether superfluous, since pure compact limestone aud metallic

page_text: plates, employed in the manner explained before, excel all other substances
tliat may serve that purpose in utility and perfection, of which this new
method of printing is capable.
§ 13th. I have as yet shewn only one method of making drawings or other
delineations on the original form, model, or printing block, but any person
acquainted with the various methods used in the art of drawing, etching, and
engraving will easily perceive that, generally speaking, they may be imitated
on the stone slab, metallic plates, &c., according to the principles of my Inven-
tion, and are with more or less perfection applicable to my new method of
printing. I shall illustrate this with some examples :-
:-
A, Etchings. First method: Expose the surface of a pure polished cal-
careous stone slab to the action of aqua-fortis diluted with an equal volume of
water, then brush it over with a solution of gum arabic (§ 6), and wipe this
nearly off again (§ 6) with a dry linen rag. After perfect drying warm the
stone cautiously, cover it with a common etching ground, make your drawing
upon it in the usual way with an etching needle; and lastly, bite it of any
depth at pleasure with dilute aqua-fortis. When again cleansed with pure
water, without injuring the etching ground, a saturated solution of alum
in water is poured over the whole and suffered to dry. A mixture of one
part of varnish made of linseed oil, such as it is employed by letter-press
printers, with one part of tallow and a little lamp black, is then spread upon
it with a linen rag, and after fifteen minutes the etching ground is taken off
with a composition consisting of one part of aqua-fortis, twenty of water, and
twenty of spirit of turpentine. The stone thus prepared will not, on account
of the gum adhering to it's surface, unite with the fat printing color, except in
the delineations bit in by the aqua-fortis, where this union is promoted by
the fat previously rubbed in and there fixed by means by the alum. Second
method. Write or draw upon a polished pure calcareous stone slab with
common writing ink, incorporated with as much of gum arabic and a little
lamp black as may be done without impairing its fiuidity. After drying,
cover the whole surface thinly with the mixture of linseed oil, varnish, tallow,
and lamp black, before mentioned; by wiping the whole with a rag moistened
with the printing liquor (§ 6) the ink will dissolve, the delineations will be
laid bare, and admit of being etched with aqua-fortis, if the whole is again
previously covered with the tallow and varnish mixture as aforesaid, which
mixture will not be received by the delineated traces.
B, Stroke Engraving and Drawing.-One method is to impregnate the
surface of a well polished calcareous stone plate with linseed oil, to wipe this
off again, and to free the stone from all fatty matter by exposing it to the

page_text: action of aqua-fortis diluted with an equal quantity of water. The stone is next
covered with a solution of gum arabic ($6) which is likewise rubbed away with
a rag, so that only a small portion of it may remain adhering to its surface,
which must be suffered to dry in the air. On the stone thus prepared the
most delicate delineations may be made with a sharp needle of hardened steel,
which when accomplished the stone is covered with the mixture of linseed oil
varnish, tallow, and lamp black, and further treated as in the first method of
etching before explained. According to another method the polished calca-
reous plate is thinly covered with finely-ground umbra worked with water and
very little gum arabic to the consistence of a thin syrup; when dry, a drawing
may be made on it through the umbra with the needle or graver. The
rest of the process is performed like in all the preceding cases, with this only
difference, that the printing liquor must be composed of about three times the
quantity of aqua-fortis and gum arabic to water than is indicated in § 6.
C, Imitation of Drawings with Black or Red Chalk.-Let a very pure cal-
careous stone plate be ground with water and fine quarz sand by friction with
another plate of the same specics, until the surface destined for taking off a
print has acquired any uniform roughness. Melt then a quantity of bees-
wax, not less than half a pound, in an open and spacious iron vessel; add an
equal quantity of common hard soap previously well dried. When the soap is
perfectly dissolved mix the whole well by stirring; suffer it to cool a little,
and then incorporate with it as accurately as possible one sixth or one eighth
part of the whole of lamp black, and pour the whole on a plate of the thick-
ness of a quarter of an inch, and after some degree of refrigeration cut it into
square sticks of about two inches long. With these crayons drawings are]
made on the stone. If that surface of the stone plate be afterwards slightly
corroded or bit with aqua-fortis diluted with about forty or sixty times the
quantity of water, and subsequently to this brushed over with a solution of
gum arabic as § 6, it is fit for printing.
D, Aquatinta Manner.-The delineation is etched or engraved on the stone
in the manner indicated above. When the block is ready for printing, or
even after some impressions have already been taken off from it, it should be
blackened with the above color made of tallow, lamp black, and linseed oil
varnish, pouring after this upon it an aqueous solution of potash, which when
wiped off again, the surface of the stone must be suffered to become perfectly
dry in the air. When in that state draw the requisite shades on it with either
of the inks ($5) and a bair pencil. Let it again desicate; bite it with weak
aqua-fortis; spread with a flat brush over the whole the solution of gum
arabic ($6); wipe away the superabundant ink and gum with a mixture of

page_text: three parts spirit of turpentine and one part linseed oil; and lastly, blacken
the plate for the purpose of printing merely by rubbing it with a linen rag
well impregnated with the printing color and moistened with water. By this
management the cavities made with the graver or needle will be strongly
filled with color, while the parts covered with the hair pencil will furnish a
weak shade only, and thus on the paper, &c. the effects will be resembling
those of aquatinta engraving.
$14. Copper or other metallic plates containing etchings or engravings
inade in the usual way, may be employed in the following manner: To make
one or more inodels from them, take four parts of thick linseed oil varnish,
of that consistence as employed by letter-press printers; one part dry hard
soap, made of tallow; one part soda finely pulverized; one part lamp black.
These ingredients must be most accurately and intimately mixed on a marble
plate; the color so prepared is rubbed into the cavities of the metallic plate
with the printer's ball. The plate is then cleaned on its surface, with a linen
rag, and a solution of potash diluted with three times the quantity of water,
in the manner as is usually done by copper-plate printers; an impression is
then taken upon good strong paper, previously damped. This impression is
laid immediately on a very pure calcareous stone slab ground very even, and
both are then made to pass through a good powerful copper-plate press, (or
my invented press may be employed for this purpose if sufficiently strong,) so
that the impression may be transferred from the paper on the stone slab,
which will be effected with more or less perfection. After this the solution
of gum arabic (§ 6) is gently brushed over the stone slab, and whilst the
gum arabic yet remains on its surface a linen rag, strongly impregnated with
the color made of linseed oil varnish, tallow, and lamp black, is rubbed upon
its surface, till the drawing or other delineation which has been communicated
to it by the paper appears to have taken up as much of the said color as it
The superabundant color and gum arabic is then wiped off with the
printing liquor (§ 6) and a clean rag, and the stone plate or slab will be
ready for printing. It will be proper to mention, that very seldom, if ever,
the impression so transferred from the paper on the stone will so well and
so fully appear on the latter as it was on the former, and the traces or
delineations so omitted must therefore be supplied by any of the methods
by which such traces or delineations are originally made on the stone. It is
also evident that the success of this whole process chiefly depends on the
number of white spaces or insterstices between the stroke, lines, or dots of
the engraving. Light and not very deeply bitten etchings are therefore the
most proper to be employed.
can.

page_text: § 15. When it is wanted to print copies in the manner of handwriting,
dissolve one ounce of gum arabic and one ounce of allum, both finely
powdered, in half a pint of water. Into this solution dip common writing
paper for half a minute, wipe the superabundant water and gum gently off
the paper, let it become dry, polish it with a polishing bone, write upon it
After desication moisten the
with a common pen, and the ink No. 2, § 5.
paper in the same manner as is usually done for printing, but so that it may
be rather more moist, and transfer the writing from the paper on the stone
plate, in the same manner as indicated in the preceding paragraph, only with
the observance that the stone plate must in this case be previously covered
with linseed oil varnish, which is again wiped nearly off the plate, so that a
very slight portion of it only may adhere to the stone plate; place the stone
plate with the paper still adhering to it in water, until the paper is softened
to that degree that it may be gently washed off the plate; the greater part of
the writing, especially if originally done rather in broad lines, will then appear
on the stone. The deficiency must be supplied, and made on it in the common
manner as indicated § 6. After this, aqua-fortis, diluted with one hundred
and twenty parts of water, is poured over it, till the writing appears a very
little raised; much less than the thickness of fine writing paper will be sufficient.
The stone plate is then brushed over with the solution of gum arabic, and
further treated as in section § 6.
§16. It has already been mentioned (§ 1), that this new Invention may
also be applied to the printing with colors prepared or incorporated with or
thickened by vegetable gums, if care be taken to impregnate those parts of the
original model, form, or printing block which are to remain free from color,
with a fattish or resinous substance, simple or compound, and to keep the
other parts clean till the said color be applied thereto; after which it is obvious
that instead of the printing liquor (§ 6), a liquid fat or oil must be employed.
In the same manner mordaunts and other mixtures used in calico printing,
might, when thickened with a vegetable gum, be transferred or imprinted on
calico or other stuffs.
-As, however, the whole of the process just mentioned will rarely afford
impressions so perfect and clean as those printed with oil colors, and as
the said mordaunts or other mixtures may have a tendency to unite with
the fattish or resinous substances which cover those parts of the original
model, form, or printing blocks that must remain free from the said mor-
daunts or other mixtures, and as also those fattish or resinous substances,
and the oil or liquid fat used instead of the printing liquor (§6) may be
'ound to dirty, stain, or otherwise to injure the cloth, &c., this inconvenience

page_text: may in a great measure be removed by a contrivance of mine, which I shall
now proceed to explain. In the first place, it will be proper to make the
drawing, delineation, dots, or other traces rather broad, with the ink No. 1,
$5, on a pure calcareous stone slab; after complete desication, this is bit or
etched with aqua-fortis, diluted with thirty or forty times the quantity of water,
which biting is continued as long as can be done without injuring the said
drawing or other delineation. After this take a round piece ofany well-seasoned
wood, about half an inch thick, and of the size of the stone slab, or somewhat
less if the latter be very large, planed perfectly smooth and even; in the
middle of one surface of it a handle of any convenient shape is fixed, and on
the other surface a piece of fine woollen cloth or leather, of the same size, is
glued. Upon this again another piece of dry well-seasoned wood, of the same
dimensions as that above mentioned, except that it is only one eighth of an
inch thick, is glued; then the under surface of this latter piece is ground
upon a very even stone with sand and water, and cleaned. In using it this
surface is thinly and evenly covered with the color, mordaunt, or other mixture,
stiffened with gum, by rubbing against it a common printer's ball, over which
the said color, mordaunt, or other mixture has been previously thinly spread.
The woollen cloth or elastic leather, &c., fixed between the two pieces of wood
will be found to give this instrument a sufficient degree of elasticity to impart
the color or other mixture to the raised parts of the stone slab, though not
elastic enough to enter into the cavities between them; and it is the application
of this principle, viz., the employing a stiff surface, rendered only very slightly
elastic, in lieu and for the purpose of a common printer's ball, that I assert and
claim as my own Invention and contrivance. As to the putting it into effect
various substances of different forms and shapes may obviously be employed
instead of those mentioned above: for instance, the instrumentabove described
may be covered with parchment or vellum, which, by means of strings or cords
fixed or fastened to it and to the top of the handle, may be stretched suffi-
ciently tight, after the manner of a drum, care being taken to give a greater.
strength to the thin board by inclosing it with an iron hoop fastened by
screws, or in any other convenient manner.
$ 17. As to the exclusive right claimed and asserted by mne by virtue of Elis
Majesty's Letters Patent granted unto me, I do hereby claim and assert as my
own exclusive right not only the sole use and application of the principles herein
stated, as far as they relate to the art of printing and making and preparing
original forms, models, or printing blocks, but also of the several apparatus,
contrivances, and practices described and specified in the present Specification
and in the Plan annexed thereto, inasmuch as they differ from those hitherto

page_text: of which, as well as of every other part of the Invention hereby specified by
me, I claim all protection and every advantage which by His Majesty's
Letters Patent I may lawfully be intitled to.
REFERENCES.
Fig. I., II., III, and IV., are designed by the scale placed under them; the
others are made of a size larger, and just sufficient to shew their several parts.
Fig. I., side view of the press with the treadle; II., front view of the same with
the elastic spring (a), the pole and spring (b), communicating with the
treadle (c) to make the moveable pole (d) that works the brass roller (f)
more tight. (f), the brass roller, with its apparatus in front, the profile of
which is shewn, Figure V. (b), and the whole of it in front, Fig. VI. (b). (G) is
the frame on which the paper, cotton, or other article is laid, and which is
exhibited larger Fig. VII. (H) a smaller frame, just fitting the inner part of the
large frame (g) and resting upon it, and which serves in lieu of the frisket in
the common printers' press. (H) is turned upon (g), and this last turns on itg
hinges upon the stone plate and resting also on the two pieces of wood
marked (a, a, Fig. 2 & 4). (p) a wooden stool to lean the frame against it.
Fig. III., ground plan of the sides of the press, of the left of which the profile is
exhibited. Fig. 1 (d) the treadle, passing through an opening on the lower
part of the side nearly to the middle where the workman stands. Fig. IV.,
plan of the table, marked (m, Fig. II). Between the cross pieces (a,a,) the
stone plate, &c., is placed, as shewn Fig. II., at (f) an incision for the cotton,
linen or other article to pass through. Fig. II. exhibits the working pole by
which the brass roller is worked in the manner of calico glazing. At (a)
there is a knee or elbow for the purpose of taking it off from the table, after
.which it is thrown aside on the hook (n, n, Fig. I and II). is the profile of
the brass roller, with its apparatus and steel axis moving in a brass box.
(C) an oval hole through which the iron rod (c),(Fig: II. and IV., passes, so as
to admit the motion of the pole with its annexed apparatus backwards and
forwards. And Fig. VI., front view of the working pole, with its kuce; (a) the
brass roller and steel apparatus (b) in which it is set, and the iron hook (c)
at the top of the press, which is longer in order that the roller can be made to
pass over a broader surface if required. Fig. VII., plan of the principal frame
marked (g, Fig. II). (a, a,) the hinges by which it is fastened to the right-
hand cross piece (a, Figs. II. and IV). b, b, and c, c, cross pieces for the sake
of strength, as well as to guide the roller when the frame is turned over the

page_text: plate. (c) a piece of leather upon which the paper or stuffs are laid; this
leather is nailed at (e, e,) and served to the octagon iron bar (k) and farther.
stretched by means of the screw (f). To hold it tighter there is a racket
wheel with it's spring h applied on the right-hand side. (d) on the leather is
an impression taken off from the corresponding original Drawing (d, d).
Lastly, the dotted lines by the side of the frame here described shew the
frame serving as a frisket, which is fastened to the first by hinges at (g, g).
The pack thread strings (n, n,) hold the paper or stuff down on the leather
while the frame is turned down to receive the impression or raised after it has
received it. At (o) there is a small spring, as in a watch case, to hold the
frisket frame on the principal frame while turning. Fig. VIII., a slight sketch
of this press when used for calico printing. Here the treadle is applied on the
right-hand side; the cotton, linen, or other article is rolled round a wooden
cylinder, furnished on it's extremity with a circular plate (a), to contain a
string wrapped round and holding a counterpoise (k). The part to be printed
lies on a frame crossing the small wooden rollers (b, b). When printed it is
moved on the roller (c) with it's wrinch (d) through an incision made on the
table (Fig. IV.), and answering it's width. When a light original form is
employed and fixed in the frame, as mentioned in § 3, the calico may be made
to turn over two rollers fixed by the sides of the table at (r,r, Fig. IV.), and
to rest on the block of metal or wood there described, on which it may be
further fixed by means of pins or any other convenient manner, so as more
perfectly to secure it in it's place till the printing of that part has been per-
formed. Fig. IX. represents the spring which keeps the small frame or frisket
fast on the large frame when the latter is turned on its hinges.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Aloysius Senefelder, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and one.
JOHN ALOYSIUS (L.S.) SENEFELDER.
Sealed and delivered (being first duly
stamped), by the within-named John
Aloysius Senefelder, in the presence

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Eighteenth day of July,
in the year above mentioned, the aforesaid John Aloysius Senefelder came
before our Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specifica-
tion aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor.of
the Statute in that case made and provided.
Inrolled the same Eighteenth day of July, in the year above written.