IMPROVEMENTS IN CASES, FRAMES, OR BOOKS FOR THE EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Pergentino Francesco Rossini,
Walter Snell, and John James Fisher, at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 29th October 1880.
PERGENTINO FRANCESCO ROSSINI, of Newman Street, Oxford Street, WALTER
SNELL, of Southampton Street, Bedford Square, and JOHN JAMES FISHER, of
Blenheim Crescent, Notting Hill, all in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN CASES, FRAMES, OR BOOKS FOR THE EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS."
Our Invention relates to novel means or apparatus for exhibiting photographs
in such a manner that the same will have imparted to them a much more life-like
and pleasing appearance than is possible when they are mounted or placed in
ordinary frames, albums, or other holders, or are without frames or holders.
In carrying the said Invention into practice wo provide a box or case which may
be square, rectangular, or of any other suitable form, and within this box or case
we arrange a series of plates or flat pieces of cardboard, thin metal, wood, or
similar material in such a manner that they may be rotated or otherwise moved, so
as to present one at a time to an opening in one end or side of the case or at the
top thereof, which opening may be covered with a piece of glass to exclude dust.
The flat pieces of card or other material are attached to a travelling band, which
is caused to rotate or move by means of a suitable handle projecting outside the
apparatus.
For
A suitable picture is painted, printed, or otherwise applied to the front face of
each of the pieces of card or other material before they are placed in the case, and
one or more parts of the said card or other piece are cut completely away so as to
leave an aperture or apertures through which the photograph will be visible, the
latter being secured to the back of the card in any suitable manner.
instance, the picture on the front or face of the card or other flat piece, to the back
of which the photograph is designed to be secured, may have a picture thereon
representing a room or apartment, a window, a railway or other carriage, or a bos
at a theatre; or any other object or design may be represented on the face of the
card, and a person who possesses the said apparatus may arrange the photographs
of his friends or acquaintances, or other persons, as he pleases in the cards on which
are the pictures or designs which are most suitable for each individual.
photograph is seen through the aperture, and thus becomes part of the picture
The

page_text: which is on the front part or face of the card, and consequently has imparted to it
a more natural and life-like appearance than it could possibly possess without such
a surrounding. The face of the card may, for instance, have upon it the represen
tation of a perambulator and be provided with an aperture, and if the photograph
of a child be placed at the back the child will appear to be seated in the vehicle.
Another card may have upon its face a picture representing a house with doors
opening upon a lawn or garden, and there may be an aperture large enough to
take one or several photographs of persons, who will then appear to be seated
in the room. Another card may bear the picture of a railway carriage and be
provided with openings at the window portion, and the faces of the photographs,
which may be placed behind, will have a very natural appearance. Some of the
cards may be furnished with pictures specially applicable for the photographs of
persons in professions or the like. For instance, the picture may represent a
portion of the interior of a church, and the photograph of a clergyman placed
behind the card in such a manner that he appears to be in the pulpit will be much
more life-like than if the portrait were shewn in any ordinary manner. It will be
understood that any ordinary photographs may be used without any adaptation
thereof, as they have only to be secured at the rear of the cards, which will be
provided with means for helding them in place, and an apparatus or appliance
constructed according to my Invention will enable persons to view the photographs
of their friends, acquaintances, and others, with very pleasing effect. The opening in
the case through which the photographs are to be viewed is so arranged with
respect to the position occupied by the card to which the photograph is applied
that the latter and the picture will be seen to the best advantage. Instead of
attaching the cards or other flat pieces to a travelling band they may be otherwise
arranged, and in some cases I arrange the cards, plates, or pieces made as above
described in the form of a book or frame, or in any other manner which will secure
the desired result.