An Improved Method of Producing Embossed Photographs.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Nov., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 12th May, 1896-Accented, 4th July, 1896
'
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Producing Embossed Photographs.
I, FREEMAN A. TABER, residing at 121 Post Street, City and County of
San Francisco, California, United States of America, Photographer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to improvements in photography, and more particularly to
the method of producing photographic images.
Heretofore photographs have been produced on flat paper and rounded or bulged
paper, the latter being an endeavour to project the image to give the idea of relief.
On the flat paper the same idea has been carried out in accenting the light and
shadows on the image and throwing an imaginary shadow on the back ground such
as would be produced by a raised image:
This invention is designed to produce the above mentioned effect, and consists in
forming a mould from a photographic impression from the same negative, as used
in producing the prints, and then in pressing them into the mould, where they are
dried under pressure to the form of the mould.
In the drawings
Fig. 1, is a front view of a photograph treated in accordance with this
invention;
Fig. 2, is a front view of the mould for embossing the prints; and
Fig. 3, is a sectional view taken on the lines x-x of Fig. 1.
The first step in this process is in the taking of the negative, as is usual in
photography. A block of wood, A, is then provided with a sensitized surface to
receive a photographic impression, which is developed as a plate or paper. In
some cases I prefer to merely provide as a sensitized surface for the block a
prepared sheet of sensitized paper. This block is then carved out to varying
depths, according to the intensity of the lights and shadows on the photograph. In
carving, the high lights and pronounced features are sunk the deepest, and from
them the remaining carving is graduated. This mould is dressed off smooth to leave
no rough surfaces to mar the photograph, and is then ready to receive the print.
While I have here described the carving as being minute in details of features, this
is not essential, for the reason that the smallest features are shown by the lights
and shades of the photograph.
To register the moulded impression and the print I provide a form or frame, B
which is the exact size of the print. Within this the print is laid and must register.
exactly with the mould.
The prints are now mounted on a card board backing, and when set they are
moistened and placed over the mould in the frame, B, face downwards. Sponge
rubber is then spread over the back, and the whole placed in a press, which by
means of the interposed rubber forces the print into the mould and compels it to
take the shape of the mould. This shape being sunk in the mould to the varying
depths produces in the photograph a counter relief.
The print is now maintained under pressure.until dried, when it will be found to
be embossed to conform to the photograph, the features being pronounced in
likeness to the individual.
When so dried the embossed print is mounted on suitable mounts. In some
cases I find it desirable to fill the back of the embossed image with plaster or

page_text: other material, for the purpose of maintaining it solid. Also I find I can pack
them more easily by placing them, on mounts with sunken panels, as the sides of
the mounts prevent the mashing of the embossed prints.
Dated this 11th day of November 1895.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
Chartered Patent Agents,
62 St. Vincent Street,, Glasgow, Agents for the Applicant.
"An Improved Method of Producing Embossed Photographs.
I, FREEMAN A. Taber, residing at 121 Post Street, City and County of
San Francisco, California, United States of America, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in photography, and more particularly to
the method of producing photographic images.
Heretofore photographs have been produced on flat paper and rounded or bulged
paper, the latter being an endeavour to project the image to give the idea of relief..
On the flat paper the same idea has been carried out in accenting the light and
shadows on the image and throwing an imaginary shadow on the back ground such
as would be produced by a raised image.
This invention is designed to produce the above mentioned effect, and consists in
forming a mould from a photographic impression from the same negative, as used in
producing the prints, and then in pressing them into the mould, where they are
dried under pressure to the form of the mould.
Referring to the drawings filed with the Provisional Specification
Fig. 1, is a front view of a photograph treated in accordance with this
invention;
Fig. 2, is a front view of the mould for embossing the prints; and
Fig. 3, is a sectional. view taken on the lines x-x of Fig. 1.
The first step in this process is in the taking of the negative, as is usual in
photography. A block of wood, A, is then provided with a sensitized surface to
receive a photographic impression, which is developed as a plate or paper. In
some cases I prefer to merely provide as a sensitized surface for the block a
prepared sheet of sensitized paper. This block is then carved out to varying
depths, according to the intensity of the lights and shadows on the photograph.
In carving, the high lights and pronounced features are sunk the deepest, and from
them the remaining carving is graduated. This mould is dressed off smooth to
leave no rough surfaces to mar the photograph, and is then ready to receive the
print. While I have here described the carving as being minute in details of
features, this is not essential, for the reason that the smallest features are shown by
the lights and shades of the photograph..
To register the moulded impression, and the print I provide a form or frame, B,
which is the exact size of the print. Within this the print is laid and must registor
exactly with the mould.
The prints are now mounted on a card board backing, and when set they are
moistened and placed over the mould in the frame, B, face downwards. Sponge
rubber is then spread over the back, and the whole placed in a press, which by
means of the interposed rubber forces the print into the mould and compels it to
take the shape of the mould. This shape being sunk in the mould to the varying
depths produces in the photograph a counter relief.
The print is now maintained under pressure until dried, when it will be found to

page_text: be embossed to conform to the photograph, the features being pronounced in
likeness to the individual.
When so dried the embossed print is mounted on suitable mounts. In some
cases I find it desirable to fill the back of the embossed image with plaster or
other material, for the purpose of maintaining it solid. Also I find I can pack.
them more easily by placing them on mounts with sunken panels, as the sides of
the mounts prevent the mashing of the embossed prints.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what.
I claim is
1. The method of producing a photographic image, which consists in trans-
ferring a photographic impression upon a block, sinking into the said block a
mould for the features in conformity with the photographio impression, placing over
the mould a photographic print, and pressing the same into the mould to emboss,
substantially as described.
2. As a new article of manufacture, a photographic image, the features of which.
are embossed, substantially as described.
3. As a new article of manufacture, a photographic image, the features of which.
are embossed and are packed with a hard material to prevent mashing, substantially
as described.
4. As a new article of manufacture, a photographic image, the features of which
are embossed and backed with a hard material to prevent mashing, and provided
with a mount, the sides of which extend to a level with and above the highest
embossed parts, substantially as described.
Dated this 11th day of May 1896
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
Chartered Patent Agents,
62 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents for the Applicant.