Improvements in Means for use in Producing a Plurality of Photographic Images on One Plate.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 19th July, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 19th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 19th July, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for use in Producing a Plurality of
Photographic Images on One Plate.
I THOMAS GEORGE HEMERY of 13 Hanover Street Peckham in the County
of Surrey, Photographer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
―:
This invention relates to the production of a plurality of portraits on one plate
obtained by successive exposures on the same plate without removal from the dark
slide each and every one separately exposed as in the case with an ordinary portrait
with or without a subsequent exposure before development of the ground surrounding
the portraits, the same being plain or ornamented according to will. This is
effected by a screen pierced as the combination of photographs requires and held
in position within the camera on a permanent support as near as may be to the
dark slide such screen giving place to others for other combinations.
Each space
in the screen is covered by a disc, which on removal leaves a vacant space suitable
for the exposure of a portion of the plate and on being replaced protects it so that
each space may be successively exposed. The lens must be centred on each
particular space by the usual perpendicular and horizontal sliding fronts, both slides
being carried beyond the margins of camera to allow the lens to travel to every
corner. When the spaces are all exposed, the negative when developed will have
a series of portraits on an unexposed ground. That part may be masked in the
ordinary way and the portraits printed with no further trouble, after effects being
by double printing as with an ordinary negative. The unexposed portions may be
further exposed and the after effects done on the negative before development in
the following manner. A thin card replique of the above screen without any
discs, must first be placed in the dark slide, angled to secure future correctness
always in one, say the left hand corner of the slide and upon it also angled in the
same corner is placed a sensitive plate. It is exposed to gas or diffused light and
developed. When dry it is kept for future use for any number of plates and is
the shield of that particular series. The same replique must be again angled in
the same corner, and a sensitive plate similarly angled placed upon it. The
exposures being made, the plate is lifted in the dark room and the card
replique, replaced by shields both plates being angled as before. The series of
developed discs on the shield fit accurately the exposed portions of the
superimposed plate and protect the portraits from the momentary exposure to gas.
Subsidiary effects can be introduced by paper negatives or positives, litho prints or
devices, signatures, mottoes, birth-dates and the like by interposition before the
exposure to gas, the position being easily determined by fitting the same on the
shield by daylight. Each camera will require a special frame or holder fitted in
to receive and hold the new screen. The supplementary exposure need not
necessarily be made in the same dark slide, any will do provided that the shield
be angled in the left corner and the exposed plate similarly angled on transfer from
its proper dark slide.
Dated this 19th day of Iul 1900
HERBERT & Co.,
Agents to Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for use in Producing a Plurality of
Photographic Images on One Plate.
I, THOMAS GEORGE HEMERY 13 Hanover Street Peckham Surrey
Photographer 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 :-
My invention relates to the production of a plurality of heads or portraits on
one plate, obtained by successive exposures on the same plate, with or without
removal from the dark slide, cach and every image being separately exposed, as is
the case with an ordinary portrait.
This is effected by a screen Figures 2 and 5 pierced as the combination of portraits
requires, and held in position within the camera, by a fixed support, or wall, Fig. 1
in the centre of which a rectangular open space corresponding to the dimensions
of the various screens. The screens are interchangeable, according to the
combination required and are placed as near as possible to the dark slide. Should
a spreading of the margin happen through too great a distance of screen from
plate, it is subsequently corrected by the paper masks with which the negatives are
fitted before printing.
In the various exposures, covers are used Figures 3 and 4-6 and 7 to protect
the parts already, or still to be exposed, these are reversible side for side Fig. 4, B
and C, Fig. 5, B and C, and end for end, Fig. 7 A and D where practicable, as
fewer covers are then required.
The lens should be centred on each particular space by the usual perpendicular
and horizontal sliding front, which should be sufficient to allow the lens to travel
to every corner.
When the spaces are all exposed the negative when developed will have a series
of portraits on an unexposed ground, which before printing is masked, as before
stated, in the usual way. The masks effecting a double purpose, giving definite
form to the margins, and keeping the ground between the images pure.
After effects, can be printed either by exposure of the spaces between the
portraits before development, or by double printing in the ordinary way.
Signatures, mottoes, birth-dates, and the like, can also be introduced by interposition
of celluloid devices, or other transparent material, fitted to the tinting discs, their
positions being easily and accurately determined by the discs, which are themselves
counterparts of the images on the negative. The devices are attached only in a
temporary manner, and are removed for others according to requirement.
In the event of an absentee from a group, the plate if angled in dark slide at
the left hand bottom corner, can be removed from the dark slide, and put away to
a future time, marking the top of plate, with a wafer, or other indication, to ensure
that it is not replaced in dark slide upside down. All that is necessary now is
again to angle the plate in left bottom corner, when the absentee can be
photographed, and the position will be accurately placed.
Similarly in the event of one exposure in a group being a failure, all that is
necessary, is to expose another plate on the portion where the failure is, either at
once, or at any other time. If some of the other spaces are exposed to the plain
background to indicate their position subsequently, it will be easy to print one perfect
picture from the two negatives, by covering over the failure in first negative with
opaque or yellow paper, and transferring the print to second negative, which has
that particular image only. The use of the other dummy exposures by indicating
position ensures the transfer of the print for second printing an easy and certain
thing.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
The production of groups, or a plurality of heads, either of one or more persons,
on the same plate, with or without removal from the dark slide, the devices, or
forms of which, are unlimited, and always at the will of the user.
Dated this 19th day of April 1893.
T. G. HEMERY.