IMPROVEMENTS IN ORNAMENTING GLASS AND IN THE PREPARATION OF THE MATERIALS EMPLOYED THEREIN." AND IN THE
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Wilkinson, of the Town of Nottingham,
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ORNAMENTING GLASS
AND IN THE PREPARATION OF THE MATERIALS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
AND IN THE PREPARATION OF THE MATERIALS EMPLOYED THEREIN.
Sealed the 10th February 1857, and dated the 7th October 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Wilkinson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
7th October 1856.
I, WILLIAM WILKINSON, of the Town of Nottingham, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ORNAMENTING
GLASS, AND IN THE PREPARATION OF THE MATERIALS EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as
follows:-
My Invention consists, firstly, in interposing figured designs, pictures,
prints, lace, and other textile fabrics, and ornamental and other devices, which
are rendered transparent in the manner herein-after described (or not,
according to the material), between two sheets or plates or surfaces of glass,
whereby the device may be apparent on the face of either plate.
Secondly, in rendering engravings, prints, and other designs upon paper
transparent, by first soaking the paper in linseed or other suitable oil or
oleaginous matter, then drying it and immersing it in turpentine or spirit;
or I print the same design on both sides of a sheet of paper, and in that state
place it between two sheets or surfaces of glass.

page_text: Having two surfaces of glass properly prepared, I take a print, made
transparent, or printed upon both sides of a sheet of paper, and by means of a
transparent cement I cause it to adhere to one of the surfaces, and roll it
smooth and even thereon, then at the edge of the glass I cement a narrow
strip of tape, ribbon, or other suitable material, and apply the remaining plate
or piece of glass thereon, and, finally, further secure the two plates or pieces of
glass by india-rubber, gutter perchia, or a thin metal clamp or frame, or
1 cause union between the edges of the plates by melting the same by. means
of a blow pipe. In order to add to or increase the effect of the printed design,
1 place at the back of one of the sheets or pieces of glass a glass case
containing water. This case may be formed in a piece, with one of the sheets
of glass ornamented as aforesaid, or it may be formed separately and be
applied thereto.
My Invention consists, thirdly, in the application of prints and engravings
made transparent as aforesaid to the inside of glass globes and shades..
Fourthly, my Invention consists in cementing a piece of paper, made
transparent by oil and turpentine, as above mentioned, upon a piece or sheet
of glass, then printing a design upon it in a lithographic or other suitable
press, in applying thereon another plate of glass, and in sealing the two plates,
as before mentioned.
Fifthly, I form bottles and other vessels of capacity of two thicknesses of
glass and interpose any device between the two thicknesses. In order to add
to the effect, I form the outer surface of the outside plain, and press or cut
any desired device or ornament on the inner surface of the outside coat, or
on the outer surface of the inner coat, whereby both the inside and outside of
the bottle will be smooth, and thus be easily cleaned, and offer no inequalities
of surfaces to catch dust, &c.
"
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Wilkinson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 7th April 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
WILKINSON, of the Town of Nottingham, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord
One, thousand, eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,

page_text: the said William Wilkinson, Her special licence that I, the said William
Wilkinson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said William Wilkinson, my executors, administrators, and assigns;
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ORNAMENTING GLASS, AND IN THE PREPARATION OF THE MATERIALS
EMPLOYED THEREIN," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
William Wilkinson, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Scal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Wilkinson do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings annexed,
that is to say:-
My Invention consists, firstly, in interposing figured designs, pictures,
prints, lace, and other textile fabrics, and ornamental and other devices, which
are rendered transparent in the manner herein-after described, or not,
according to the material, between two sheets or plates or surfaces of glass;
whereby the device may be apparent on the face of either plate.
Secondly, in rendering engravings, prints, and other designs upon paper.
transparent, by first soaking the paper in linseed or other suitable oil or
oleaginous matter, then drying it and immersing it in turpentine or spirit;.
or I print the same design on both sides of a sheet of paper, and in that
state place it between two sheets or surfaces of glass. Having two surfaces
of glass properly prepared, I take a print, made transparent, or printed.
upon both sides of a sheet of paper, and by means of a transparent cement
I cause it to adhere to one of the surfaces, and roll it smooth and even
thereon, then at the edge of the glass I cement a narrow strip of tape,
ribbon, or other suitable material, and apply the remaining plate or piece
of glass thereon, and, finally, further secure the two plates or picces of glass
by india-rubber, gutta percha, or a thin metal clamp or frame, or I cause
union between the edges of the plates by melting the same by means of a
blow pipe. In order to add to or increase the effect of the printed design, [

page_text: place at the back of one of the sheets or pieces of glass a glass case containing
water. This case may be formed in a piece with one of the sheets of glass
ornamented as aforesaid, or it may be formed separately and be applied
thereto.
My Invention consists, thirdly, in the application of prints and engravings
made transparent as aforesaid to the inside of glass globes and shades.
.
Fourthly, my Invention consists in cementing a piece of paper, made
transparent by oil and turpentine, as above mentioned, upon a piece or sheet
of glass, then printing a design upon it in a lithographic or other suitable
press, in applying thereon another plate of glass, and in sealing the two-
plates, as before mentioned.
Fifthly, I form bottles and other vessels of capacity of two thicknesses of
glass and interpose any device between the two thicknessos. In order to add
to the effect, I form the outer surface of the outside plain, and press or cut any
desired device or ornament on the inner surface of the outside coat, or on the
outer surface of the inner coat, whereby both the inside and outside of the
bottle will be smooth, and thus be easily cleaned, and offer no inequalities of
surface to catch dust, &c.
The manner in which I proceed to lay on colored engravings or prints
between glass in order to ornament the same is as follows:-I take a
sable, camel hair, or other like soft brush and lay over the face of the
engraving a wash, composed of linseed or other suitable oil, boiled or not,
spirit of wine, turpentine, or other spirit, and I color this wash or not by
boiling any desired color with the oil, according to the colors on the engraving,
and then I place the face of the engraving evenly upon a sheet or piece of
glass over which I have previously brushed a drying spirit, such as spirit of
wine or turpentine. All air bubbles being carefully rolled out from between
the engraving and the glass by hand or by a soft roller, the engraving will be
found to adhere to the glass. I then brush over the back of the engraving,
after having been so fixed on the glass, a mixture of oil and spirit, and
continue the application thereof until the engraving becomes distinctly visible.
Where the paper on which the engraving has been applied is very thick, the
hand may be employed to grind off or remove sufficient paper, but great care
must be used, or else the engraving as well as the paper will be removed.
When the oil and spirit, with or without the hand-rubbing, have been applied
sufficiently long, which experience must dictate, I wipe off, by means of a soft
silk or other suitable soft rubber, the oily matter and stuff rubbed off. A.
corresponding sheet of glass, with a strong cement, such as white lead or paste,
round all the edges, is next laid evenly on the first sheet. The prepared

page_text: engraving. being interposed, the two sheets of glass are pressed firmly.
together, and retained by a metal clamp, round all the edges, or by gutta
percha, or by other suitable means.
If a glass is desired to be ornamented, and to be placed against some opaque
object, then the second sheet of glass becomes unnecessary, and directly after,
the engraving has been applied on the glass, as before described, it may be let
into a panel or otherwise, or may be let into a metal or other frame or dish.
Glass, ornamented as aforesaid, let into metal dishes, would form a highly
ornamental and fire-proof floor.
In the case of oil engravings, such as those known as "Baxter's," I place
a cement, such as white lead or paste, evenly upon a sheet of glass, then place.
and press the back of the engraving evenly thereon, then round the edges of
the glass I apply a sufficiently thick layer of cement upon and all round the
edges of the glass, to rise just above the distance the engraving stands out
from the paper, and upon the cement so placed, and over the engraving,
I apply a second sheet of glass, or I interpose a thin strip of metal, gilt or
otherwise, between the edges of the two sheets of glass. The outer edges of
the two sheets of glass are held together by metal clamps, or by a metal or
other frame.
Glass ornamented in the manner last described may be employed for
decorative purposes generally, and may be made to form the whole or part of
the tops of tables, boxes, &c.
Instead of paper, I place perforated metal or wire gauze, painted, embossed,
or otherwise, between two sheets of glass, and unite the two sheets of glass by
a clamp or frame. Glass thus ornamented may be advantageously used for
window blinds and other like purposes; or I lay on one of the sheets of glass
a transparent cement, and cause the perforated metal or wire gauze by
pressure to adhere thereto, and then I apply the remaining sheet of glass over
the metal, and unite the whole in a frame or by clamps.
And I interpose between two sheets, or surfaces of glass ornamental devices
made of plaster, alabaster, gutta percha, or metal for public buildings,
churches, and all places where ornaments are required. By this means the
devices are not liable to become tarnished or worn. This process will be
found extremely useful for ornamenting and decorating mantelpieces, and
thereby render them very much less expensive, and at the same time more
ornamental, than those at present constructed. I sometimes silver the back plate
of the glass, then protect it with cement, tin plate, or other suitable metals,
from the action of damp, lime, or other matters contained in the wall; I then
place on the aforesaid plate ornamental devices made of the material or

page_text: materials before mentioned, fixed to it by cement, and secure the whole by
placing a piece "of plain glass in front. Or I place wax flowers, imitation
animals, or, in fact, any ornamental substance suitable for the" purpose,
between two 'plates of glass. The same is applicable to ornamenting piano-
fortes, cheffoniers, tables, fire screens, door panels, panelings for rooms, &c.
My Invention may also be applied to shop signs and door plates, and for
this purpose I make the letters of either of the substances before mentioned;
ör I make them transparent or in transparent colors, and if desired color them
differently on each side, for instance, the front red' and the back green; or I
make the letters or devices of paper, or perforated-metal wire-work, "or wire
lace, and fix them to the glass. By adopting this method the plates will not
require cleaning as at present, and will présent a 'much better appearance:
Or I paint the design; or device on one sheet of glass, and secure it from
the' action of the atmosphere, &c. by placing another sheet in front. I also
place chintz, embroidery, or other suitable textile or woven fabrics 'between
plates of glass for ornamental window blinds, &c. I also make glass windows,
Ey either placing the device between two plates of glass, or I paint the device
on one and cover it with another plate, the sides being, fixed by cement.or
placed in metal or wood frames, as before described.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I.declare that I claim the ornamenting
of glass, and the preparation of the materials employed therein, by the means,
all and any of them, and in the manner herein-before described.
-
In witness whereof, I, the said William Wilkinson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of April, One thousand eight hundred
and 'fifty-seven.
WILLIAM WILKINSON. (L.S.)
Witness to the signature,
R. A. BROOMAN,
166; Fleet Street, London.