AN IMPROVED MODE OF PRODUCING PHOTOGRAPHS, MORE ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR Use in Tile PRODUCTION OF ENGRAVINGS, LITHOGRAPHS, AND OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS FROM Nature
Year: 1880

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PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Charles Bell at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st April 1880.
GEORGE CHARLES BELL, of Brooklyn, New York, United States of America,
Artist. "AN IMPROVED MODE OF PRODUCING PHOTOGRAPHS, MORE ESPECIALLY
DESIGNED FOR Use in Tile PRODUCTION OF ENGRAVINGS, LITHOGRAPHS, AND OTHER
ILLUSTRATIONS FROM Nature.”
The principal object of my Invention is the production of engravings and other
illustrations from nature without any drawings or sketches of the objects to be
represented, and said Invention consists in the mode of producing dotted or lined
photographs chiefly designed for this purpose.
The photographic negative of the object to be represented is produced in the
ordinary manner. This negative is placed with a perforated metal screen, preferably
made of wire gauze, in a photographic printing frame which is placed in front of a
sensitized gelatine, paper, wood, or other sensitized surface. Upon this surface the
photographic positive is then printed and developed in the manner usually adopted
in the production of photographs. This wire gauzo screen, by intercepting the light
over a portion of the surface, will form on the photograph lines or dots similar in
effect to those on fine line engravings without injury to the face of the photograph.
The perforations of the screen may be varied in size and shape to produce the
desired effect upon the photograph, and ultimately upon the engraving or other
illustration in the production of which the photograph may be employed. The
screen in practise is preferably placed in front of the negative, but may be placed
at the back if found desirable.
These photographs may be made direct upon a sensitized wood, metal, or stone
surface to facilitate the work of engravers, as well as upon sensitized gelatine for
treatment by the photo-relief or other process for the productions of engravings
or other illustrations in which photography is employed.
The said Invention may be advantageously applied simply to improve photo-
graphic pictures without any view to the production of engravings or other similar
illustrations, as the lines or dots on the face of the photograph produce a pleasing
and artistic effect. The shadows of the picture are subdued and softened while
the fine details of the objects are preserved.
The mode of utilizing these photographs does not however form a part of my
Invention, nor does the manner of making the negatives or the processes of
producing illustrations from the photographs.

page_text: When the photograph is made direct on a gelatine surface the ordinary photo-
relief or photo-lithographic process may be adopted, and the engravings or
lithographs be printed in the usual manner.
The advantages of this Invention, especially in the production of engravings and
other illustrations from nature, will be obvious to all practised in these arts, the 5
loss of time in making drawings or sketches of the objects is obviated, and the
expenses thereof are saved, while greater excellence in the work is secured.