A New or Improved Method or Process of Producing Permanent Photographs on China, and other Vitreous Surfaces.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 23rd June, 1897-Accepted, 21st Aug., 1897
A New or Improved Method or Process of Producing Permanent
Photographs on China, and other Vitreous Surfaces.
I, JOHN SLATER of York Terrace, Burslem, in the County of Stafford, Potter,
do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object to apply portraits and other photographic
subjects to China and other vitreous surfaces, which shall be permanent and
durable, and shall possess greater life-like tone and finish than the photographs
as heretofore applied, and for that purpose my invention consists essentially
of superimposed films, bearing fac-simile photographs, and powdered and treated
with suitable colors, according to the subject, or use of the photograph, as
hereinafter described.
In accordance with my invention I coat a plate of glass, suitable for the size
of Photograph to be produced, with the following collodion-Alcohol
ounces, Sulphuric Eether 10 ounces, and Gun Cotton 100 grains.
I then immerse the plate so coated, in the following bath :-Gum Arabic
100 grains, Sugar 60 grains, Potash Bichromate 80 grains, Methylated Spirit
1 ounce, and Water 7 ounces.
After remaining in the bath until the greasiness is sufficiently removed from
the surface of the film, the plate is placed in an oven heated to 80° F. until quite
dry.
The plate is then removed and put in contact with a 'positive' of the
photograph to be reproduced on the vitreous surface, and after sufficient exposure
to produce an image of the required density on the film, it is removed from
contact with the said 'positive,' and in a subdued light the film is lightly and
evenly dusted (by cotton wool, or camel-hair brush) with enamel colors, over its
entire surface, or over the picture only, and in accordance with the lights and
shades or natural coloring of the object photographed.
The plate is then carefully washed in running water until all the potash is
removed, and finally, by the insertion of a pen-knife blade, the film is removed
from the plate and is then placed upon the vitreous surface.
This film so prepared and fixed is then fired in a muffle or kiln, and after
firing I then paint such film, in the ordinary way, with enamel colors, in corre-
spondence with the dusted colors aforesaid, or suited to the subject of the picture,
e.g., flesh colors or tones for portraits, and natural tints or colors for flowers or
scenery. This being effected the film is again subjected to heat in a muffle or
kiln until the colors are burnt in.
I next take a second or duplicate film prepared and dusted with colors in
precisely the same manner as the first film, and bearing the same negative photo-
graph, and with great care I superimpose such further film upon the first film
causing it to 'register' exactly. I then subject the said film to heat in a kiln or
nuffle, and when the powdered colors are sufficiently burnt in, the whole form

page_text: a permanent photograph on a vitreous surface with exquisite shading or tone,
and natural or life-like effects.
Additional films might in some cases be 'employed and similarly treated, and
in lieu of firing the first film before applying the colors, it may be fired after the
colors are applied, but it would not be so convenient or desirable.
Doted this 21st day of Sontembar 1806
JOHN SLATER,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents, 55 Market Street, Manchester.
A New or Improved Method or Process of Producing Permanent
Photographs on China, and other Vitreous Surfaces.
I, JOHN SLATER of York Terrace, Burslem, in the County of Stafford, Potter,
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 has for its object to apply portraits and other photographic
subjects to China and other vitreous surfaces, which shall be permanent and
durable, and shall possess greater life-like tone and finish than the photographs
as heretofore applied, and for that purpose my invention consists essentially
of superimposed films, bearing fac-simile photographs, and powdered and treated
with suitable colors, according to the subject or use of the photograph, as
hereinafter described.
In accordance with my invention I coat a plate of glass, suitable for the size
of Photograph to be produced, with the following collodion-Alcohol 2
ounces, Sulphuric Eether 10 ounces, and Gun Cotton 100 grains.
I then immerse the plate so coated, in the following bath:-Gum Arabic
100 grains, Sugar 60 grains, Potash Bichromate 80 grains, Methylated Spirit
1 ounce, and Water 7 ounces.
After remaining in the bath until the greasiness is sufficiently removed from
the surface of the film, the plate is placed in an oven heated to 80° F. until quite
dry.
The plate is then removed and put in contact with a positive of the photograph
to be reproduced on the vitreous surface, and after sufficient exposure to produce an
image of the required density on the film, it is removed froin contact with the
said 'positive' and in a subdued light the film is lightly and evenly dusted (by
cotton wool, or camel-hair brush) on its uppermost face with powdered enamel
colors, over its entire surface, or over the picture only, and in accordance with
the lights and shades or natural coloring of the object photographed.
The plate is then carefully washed in running water until all the potash is
removed, and finally, by the insertion of a pen-knife blade, the film is removed
from the plate and is then placed upon the vitreous surface at the desired point.
This film so prepared and placed is then fired in a muffle' or kiln, and after
firing I then paint the face of the film in the ordinary way with liquid enamel
colors in correspondence with the dusted colors aforesaid, or suited to the subject
of the picture, i.e., flesh colors or tones for portraits, and natural tints or colors
for flowers or scenery. This being effected the film is again subjected to heat in
a muffle or kiln until the colors are burnt in.
I next take a second or duplicate film prepared and dusted with colors in
precisely the same as the first film, and bearing the same negative photo-
graph, and with great care I superimpose such further film upon the first film

page_text: causing it to register' exactly. I then subject the said film to heat in a kiln or
muffle, and when the powdered colors are sufficiently burnt in, the whole forms
a permanent photograph on a vitreous surface with exquisite shading or tone
and natural or life-like effects.
Additional films might in some cases be employed and similarly treated, and
in lieu of firing the first film before applying the liquid colors, it may be fired after
the colors are applied, but it would not be so convenient or desirable.
The color that is applied to the films in dust form is for the purpose of giving
the ground tint in correspondence with the picture or ware, and the colors that
are applied to the face side of the first film are to give prominence to the various
colors or hues of the subject which can be put on by the most inexperienced hand
as the subsequent superimposed film and firing serves to tone down or subdue
any harshness or inequality of color.
In describing my invention as applied to films bearing photographs I would
have it understood that the mode of producing the picture, or for that matten
the films, is no part of my invention, as the picture or portrait can be applied
by any suitable process, photographic, lithographic or letter-press-and the
films may be produced by any suitable process, or method of manufacture. In
all cases where the word photograph is hereinbefore used the intent and meaning
of the word is broadly that of a picture or reproduction of natural objects or
subjects capable of representation upon a transparent film.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-
1. Transparent films bearing fac-simile portraits or pictures treated with
enamel colors applied one above another (super-imposed) upon vitreous surfaces
and permanently fixed to such surfaces by firing in,a kila or muffle,' as set forth.
2. The process herein described of producing a negative picture on a transparent
film, dusting such film (or picture) on its uppermost face with enamel colors,
placing same on a vitreous surface, firing in a kiln, applying further enamel
colors to the face side of film and again firing, super-imposing a further film (or
films) treated (dusted on the front or uppermost face) in like manner to the first
film, and firing, as set forth.
Dotedthis 21st day of June 1897.
JOHN SLATER,
1
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.