IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR PRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to François Alexandre Victor Michel, of Rue
Servandoni, Paris, in the French Empire, Typographical Electro-
typer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR
PRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES."
Sealed the 25th June 1869, and dated the 29th December 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION. left by the said François Alexandre
Victor Michel at the. Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 29th December 1868.
I, FRANÇOIS ALEXANDRE VICTOR MICHEL, of Rue Servandoni, Paris,
in the French Empire, Typographical Electrotyper, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OR PRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES," to be as follows:
My Invention has for its object the production of printing surfaces
from set up or composed type, also from engraved plates, and from
various surfaces bearing letters, characters, devices, or designs. For this
purpose I first produce by pressure from the type, engraved plate, or
surface whence my printing surface is to be obtained a mould, matrix,

page_text: cast, or impression in unsized and damped paper, which I coat, cover,
or treat with an agent which renders it waterproof and acid proof, that
is to say, resistant of or protected from being attacked by moisture and
the acids or chemicals used in the process of electrotype or electro-
metallurgy. The agent which I recommend for the purpose is a solution
of resin or resinous substance in alcohol or spirit, preferring in many
cases one part resin with two parts alcohol; but other proportions and
ingredients may be used.
The paper mould, cast, matrix, or impression, after having been duly
coated or covered, is placed in the galvanic, electrotyping, or electro-
metallurgical bath or cell with the suitable acids or chemicals used in
the electro-chemical or electro-metallurgical process, and a metallic
deposit, cast, reverse copy, or "shell" will be obtained.
To impart the required strength, evenness, and thickness to the
electrotype lead or other ductile material is run behind it and made
true and smooth to form a backing, and the electrotype is fixed to a
wood or other rigid block by nails, screws, hooks, or other fastenings.
For this purpose I form round the paper mould, matrix, or impression
a frame or border having a flange or projecting portion with inclined
side, and with a flat rim beyond level with the mould surface, so that a
corresponding frame or border will be produced on the electro-metallic
deposit or copy in the electro bath, having of course a sunken or recessed
part (with sloping side) corresponding with the projecting part of the
paper mould frame, and also a flat rim. Ridge pieces are placed on this
flat part, and the molten lead is run in. The nails or other fastenings used 2
to fix the backed plate to the wood or other block used as a foundation
are inserted or applied so that their heads or tops are in or on the
bevelled or sloping border or edge of the electroplate, and thus do not
project to or come flush with the printing surface.
When I apply my process to engraved plates or surfaces in intaglio, 3
or to plates or surfaces with sunken devices, I dredge the paper applied
on the plate to form a mould, matrix, or impression with a resinous
powder, and after smoothing it, apply thereon a sheet or plate of lead,
and subject the whole to pressure. When dry the paper mould with
its lead backing is taken from the engraved plate and protected from 3
inoisture and acids as above described. The resinous powder causes the
paper mould to adhere to the backing, and the latter gives the requisite
consistency to the mould or matrix to allow of its removal without

page_text: injury, and of its duly reproducing the smooth background on the
printing surface; but other materials may be substituted for the resin
and lead.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said François Alexandre Victor Michel in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 29th June 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FRANÇOIS
ALEXANDRE VICTOR MICHEL, of Rue Servandoni, Paris, in the French
Empire, Typographical Electrotyper, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of December, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight,
in the thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said François Alexandre Victor
Michel, Her special licence that I, the said François Alexandre Victor
Michel, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said François Alexandre Victor Michel, my executors, admi-
nistrators, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OR PRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said François Alexandre Victor Michel, 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 Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said François Alexandre Victor Michel,
do hereby declare the nature of the 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
"

page_text: accompanying Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon,
that is to say :-
My Invention has for its object the production of printing surfaces
from set up or composed type, also from engraved plates and surfaces
bearing letters, characters, devices, or designs. For this purpose I first
produce by pressure from the type, engraved plate, or surface whence my
printing surface is to be obtained a mould, matrix, cast, or impression
in unsized and damped paper, which I coat, cover, impregnate, or treat
with an agent which renders it waterproof and acid proof, that is to say,
resistent of (or protected from being attacked by) moisture, and the acids
or chemicals used in the process of electrotype or electro-metallurgy.
The agent which I recommend for the purpose is a solution of resin
or a resinous substance in alcohol or spirit of wine, preferring in many
cases one part resin with two parts alcohol; but other proportions and
ingredients may be used.
The paper mould, cast, matrix, or impression after having been duly
coated, impregnated, or covered, is placed in the galvanic, electrotyping,
or electro-metallurgical bath or cell with the suitable acids or chemicals
used in the electro-chemical and electro-metallurgical process, and a
metallic deposit, cast, copy, or shell will be obtained.
To impart the required strength, evenness, and thickness the electro-
type, lead, or other ductile material is run behind the deposit, cast, copy,
or shell, and made true and smooth to form a backing; the electrotype
is fixed to a wood or other rigid block by nails, screws, hooks, or other
fastenings. For this purpose I form round the paper mould, matrix, or
impression a frame or border having a flange or projecting portion with
inclined sides, and with a flat rim beyond level with the mould surface,
so that a corresponding frame or border will be produced on the electro-
metallic deposit or copy in the electro bath, having of course a sunken
or recessed part with sloping sides corresponding with the projecting part
of the paper mould frame, and also a flat rim. Ridge pieces are placed
on this flat part, and the molten lead is run in. The nails or other
fastenings used to fix the backed plate to the wood or other block used
as a foundation are inserted or applied so that their heads or tops are in
or on the bevelled or sloping border or edge of the electroplate, and thus
do not project to or come flush with the printing surface.
When I apply my process to engraved plates or surfaces in intaglio, or
to plates or surfaces with sunken devices, I dredge the paper applied on

page_text: the plate (to form a mould, matrix, cast, or impression,) with a resinous
powder, and after smoothing it I apply thereon a sheet, plate, or piece
of lead, and subject the whole to pressure. When dry the paper mould
with its lead backing is taken from the engraved plate and protected
from moisture and acids as above described. The resinous powder
causes the paper mould to adhere to the backing, and the latter gives
the requisite consistency to the mould or matrix to allow of its removal
without injury, and of its duly reproducing the smooth background on
the printing surface; but other materials may be substituted for the
resin and lead..
I now proceed more particularly to describe in what manner the
Invention may best be carried into practical effect.
Hitherto in producing electrotype printing surfaces, moulds or im-
pressions have first been taken from the surface to be copied in wax or
gutta percha, and these have been metallized, and then subjected to the
electro-chemical or electro-metallurgical bath in order to obtain a metal
copy, and I am aware that paper moulds or impressions have been
already taken from surfaces and lead run in to form a lead stereotype
plate instead of clectro casts being taken therefrom; whereas according
Invention the moulds or impressions are produced on paper, which
I render waterproof and acid proof, as above explained, for the purposes
of my process, and after metallizing them I subject them to the action of
the electro-metallurgical or electro-chemical bath.
to
my
In order to obtain a printing surface from type or other surface
bearing characters, figures, or devices in relief, I first take paper which
I damp and prepare in the manner ordinarily used in the production of
stereotypes for taking impressions in paper from type or printing surfaces
in relief (for making stereotypes), and I apply pressure so as to obtain
an impression on the paper of such type or relief surface.
The paper may now be called a mould, and I next saturate the paper
or mould with a solution of resin or of wax, whereby I render water-
proof, and also acid proof, that is to say, proof against or repellent of the
chemicals employed in the electro-metallurgical or galvanic bath. This
solution should be so applied as not to leave any external deposit likely
to clog or affect the face of the type and thus spoil the ultimate
impression. For this purpose the solution should be quite absorbed in
the body of the paper, so that none may remain upon the surface on
which is the impression so as to clog or affect it injuriously. To effect
.!

page_text: this object I make a warm saturated solution of resin in alcohol, spirit
of wine, or benzine, and I brush the surface of the paper on the im-
pression side with this solution, which I use either cold or warm. I
brush the surface carefully, so that there be not the most minute line or
portion of the surface left bare or uncovered by the solution. I proceed
to warm the paper, and thereupon the resin abandons the outside of
the impression surface, that is to say, it does not clog it or project
from it, but it still keeps it waterproof and acid proof as described, and
it penetrates into the thickness or body of the paper. The impression,
which was bright or lustrous when the resinous solution remained on
it, becomes dead or dull when it leaves it, and this appearance is the
test by which I know that the face of the type or engraving is clear;
but to render the waterproofing more complete I apply on the under
surface of the paper, that is to say, the surface opposite to or other than
that bearing the impression a cold alcoholic solution of gumlac, and if
any quantity remain in excess it will not affect the impression injuriously.
Instead of using an alcoholic solution as above described I sometimes
first warm the paper and then apply at the back surface melted resin or
wax, or melted resin and wax with which the paper is impregnated,
wax or resin percolating it and appearing on the impression side. I
prefer to use 1 part resin to 2 parts alcohol, or part resin and
4 parts wax, dissolved in 2 parts alcohol.
However I do not confine myself to the employment of melted or
dissolved resin or wax, and I do not confine myself to the proportions
in which the solvent is to enter into the mixture, nor to a particular
solvent also, though I consider resin most proper for use; various
resinous or waxy or other like waterproofing substances may be used,
provided that the waterproofing and acid resisting agent or compound
has the following properties :-
First. It must be of a nature to render the paper waterproof, and also
proof against the action of the acids used in the electro-metallurgical
or galvanic bath.
Second. It must penetrate the paper without clogging the impression,
and be capable of passing into the body of the paper and of being
eliminated from the impression side by the application of heat after
having rendered such surface waterproof.
Third. It must not resist the application of plumbago or equivalent
material used for metallizing or coating the impression surface when

page_text: the paper is placed in the galvanic bath. When the paper has been
treated with the waterproofing and acid proofing agent I metallize it
in the manner and by the means ordinarily used for metallizing wax or
gutta percha moulds in electro metallurgy, that is to say, I coat all
that part of the paper mould to which the sulphate of copper is to
adhere with as thin a layer as possible of plumbage with the precautions
usual in electro-typing; the adhesion of the plumbago to the surface
of the paper results from the previously described employment of the
resinous body (or its equivalent) and the solvent. After having
metallized the paper mould it is placed in the electro-metallurgical
or galvanic bath, and subjected to action of or treatment with
chemicals in the manner usual for obtaining electro surfaces from
moulds of material other than paper.
When I desire to obtain printing surfaces from copperplate engravings,
or other surfaces engraved in intaglio or with sunken devices, I prefer
to prepare the paper mould or paper pulp used for its production with
ingredients which shall at the same time act as waterproofing agents.
Wax is such an ingredient, for when introduced into the paper or the
pulp it renders it waterproof and acid proof, as well as assisting the
preparation for purposes of taking impressions.
In obtaining paper moulds or impressions from intaglio or sunken
surfaces or copperplates, I apply on such plates or surfaces one or
more sheets of paper. According to the delicacy of the engraving I
employ a greater or less number of sheets of paper and select a coarser
or finer paper; this or these I saturate either beforehand or after
having placed them on the plate or surface with a thin layer of melted
or powered wax or resin, or powdered wax and resin, or equivalents,
whereby I climinate the grain of the paper from the surface, fill up the
internal pores, cause the sheets (when more than one is used) to adhere
together, and give a perfectly smooth polish on the side which is to
come in contact with the engraved plate.
I next apply on the top of the pile of sheets of paper a plate of lead,
which I previously coat with a layer of wax or resin, or wax and resin,
say resin and wax, which causes the lead to adhere to the paper,
and I subject the whole to pressure preferably by means of the roller
press used for printing copperplates. The pressure forces the paper into
the hollows of the engraved surface and a mould in relief is thus obtained,
and it is rendered firm and consistent by the lead backing; it is then

page_text: galvanic bath.
I next procced to describe the mode I adopt for backing and
mounting the electro-type or electro-metallic cast, in order to complete
the production of the printing surface and render it ready for the press.
The accompanying Drawings exemplify this process which I apply
to my paper moulds before brushing the paper with resin or its
equivalent, as above described.
Figures 1 and 2 are vertical sections illustrative of this portion of
my Invention. Figure 1 shews the paper mould or impressions B, B,
bearing the letters, devices, or figures on its surface. All round the
edge of this surface B, I form a margin or border B, B', A, A', of the
same material; the half B, B', of this border is bevelled as shewn and
the other half A', A, is straight and level with the printing surface of
B, B. The border or margin having been made in the paper mould as
above described, will of course be reproduced in the copper or metallic
cast or copy in the metallic bath, that is to say, such cast, electrotype,
or printing surface will have a correspondingly formed margin or border,
B', B, A', A. This border forms a sort of frame which serves two
purposes. First it facilitates the running in of the lead which forms
the backing of the galvanic cast or copy, and secondly, it facilitates the
fixing of the backed cast on a block or bed of wood, or other rigid
material, to prepare it for printing purposes.
Figure 2 is a vertical section representing the electrotype or printing
surface backed and moulded. B, B, printing surface or electrotype
A, A, B, B', border or margin of the form described in Figure 1. When
the cast is obtained I fix frame pieces or ridge picces of wood C, C,
under the flat portions A, A', of the border so as to surround the under
portion of the cast, and form a fence or flange, so that when the surface
is turned face downward in order to run in molten lead to form the
backing D these fences or flanges prevent the escape of the lead; the
outer surface of the lead is then turned or made smooth, and the backed
printing surface is fixed to a block E of wood or other rigid material by.
means of nails, hooks, or similar fastenings, which are driven in or
inserted through the bevelled or recessed part B, B', of the border, and
the heads or projecting portions of such fasteners are thus below the
level of the printing surface B, and are therefore not impressed on the
paper or other material which eventually receives the impression of

page_text: the said printing surface. When the printing surface is fixed on the
block or bed the wood frame pieces C, C, and the flat portions A, A¹, of
the border may be removed. The same method of and arrangements
for completing the electrotype or printing surface by a frame, border,
or flange may be applied when moulds other than those formed of paper,
according to the first parts of my Invention, are used and employed in
the galvanic or electro bath to produce printing surfaces.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the exact
proportions of the ingredients previously mentioned.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same may be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First. The application and employment of paper treated as described
for the production of moulds, casts, matrices, impressions, or copies
obtained or taken from printed, engraved, figured, or device bearing
surfaces, substantially as explained.
Second. The manufacture or production of printing surfaces by the
employment of paper moulds, casts, matrices, impressions, or copies
metallized and treated by electrotyping, or electro-chemical, or electro-
metallurgical operations, substantially as described.
Third. The mode of obtaining a border mounting flange or framing
to the electrotype cast or printing surface, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said François Alexandre Victor Michel,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of
June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-nine.
Witness,
AUG. TROUILLET,
102, Bould. Sébastopol.
F. A. V. MICHEL. (L.S.)