A Device for Producing Vignettes in Copying Pictures and the like by Photography.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 16th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 27th Jan., 1900
A Device for Producing Vignettes in Copying Pictures and the
like by Photography.
1, WILLIAM JOSEPH HOLT, of Fairholm, Manor Road, High Barnet, in the
County of Middlesex, Artist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide means by which vigneties are obtained
directly in photographing pictures and the like in such a manner as to avoid any
manipulation of and injury to the originals. According to my invention I sus-
pend or support between the lens and the object to be photographed a disc or
diaphragm which has in it an opening preferably with serrated edges, or edges
so made as to graduate the passage for light, movement is given to this disc or
diaphragm in such a manner, either by moving it as a whole or by forming it in
parts and moving the parts relatively to each other, as the edges of the said
opening pass through the outer margin of the field of rays they produce a
vignetting effect upon the negative. The disc or diaphragm is, or its parts are,
actuated by a motor such for instance as clockwork. I do not limit myself to
particular details but a convenient arrangement according to my invention
consists of a triangular frame arranged with its apex upwards so as not to
interfere with the lighting device and supported upon a stand and carrying at
its upper part a clock or other motor from which is hung the aforesaid "dise or
diaphragm so that it is moved in a circular or other direction according to the
chape of picture desired the said frame acting as a guide for it to work against.
Dated this 11th day of March 1899.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
A. Device for Producing Vignettes in Copying Pictures and the
like by Photography.
1, WILLIAM JOSEPH HOLT, of Fairholm, Manor Road, High Barnet, in the
County of Middlesex. Artist, 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:―
The object of my invention is to provide means by which vignettes are obtained
directly in photographing pictures and the like in such a manner as to avoid any

page_text: manipulation of and injury to the originals. According to my invention I sus-
pend or support between the lense and the object to be photographed a disc or
diaphragm which has in it an opening preferably with serrated edges or edges
so made as to graduate the passage of light, movement being given to this dise
or diaphragm (either by moving it as a whole or by forming it in parts and moving
the parts relatively to each other) so that as the edges of the said opening pass
through the outer margin of the field of rays they produce a vignetting effect
upon the negative. The disc or diaphragm is or its parts are actuated by a
motor such for instance as clockwork. I do not limit myself to particular details
but a convenient arrangement according to my invention consists of a triangular
frame arranged with its apex upwards so as not to interfere with the lighting
device and supported upon a stand and carrying at its upper part a chain of
wheels or other motor from which is hung the aforesaid disc or diaphragm so
that it is moved at varying speeds in a circular or other direction according to
the shape of picture desired, the said frame acting as a guide for it to work
against.
To enable my device to be properly understood I refer to the sheet of drawings
herewith whereon Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my said device. Fig. 2 a side
elevation and Fig. 3 a back elevation. a is the stand which is telescopic and
can be fixed in any desired position by means of the set screw b.
Upon the said stand I place an angular or other shaped frame c of a con-
venient size for photographing the picture to be copied and at the apex of this
frame I place a chain of wheels e. Figs. 2 and 3: actuated either by a spring
in a barrel Fig. 3, or by a weight acting by means of a cord on a wheel of
any convenient size to react (by gearing) upon the chain of wheels e aforesaid.
By either of the above means I cause the spindle to revolve and upon this
spindle and revolving with it I place an excentric upon which hangs the screen k
constructed of any light material such as aluminium, wirework, mica, cardboard or
otherwise.
The motion given by the excentric to the said screen is an upward and
downward as well as a sidelong motion by which means a circular motion is
produced toward the centre of the screen where is fixed or hung the disc !,
Carrying the serrated edges m, which can be adjusted to any opening or position
on the said disc by means of clips, setscrews or otherwise.
I also regulate the speed of the said chain of wheels c by means of a brake or
a fan so that the rotary movement of the said dise 1, carrying the serrated edges m,
can be varied; and I also regulate the throw of the excentric by means of a
slotted sliding bar so that the travel of the said screen k, carrying the disc
serrated edges m, may be varied.
and
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:-
(I). The upward and downward and sidelong motion of the screen k, carrying
the disc resulting in a circular motion of the serrated edges m, by which means
vignettes are obtained directly in photographing pictures and the like, in such
a manner as to avoid any manipulation of or any injury to the originals.
(II). The method of adjusting the serrated edges m on the disc and on the
screen so that the said serrated edges can be reduced or diminished in area to
suit the size of the studies to be operated upon and
(III). The methods of communicating the said rotary movement to the said
screen k, carrying the disc , and the serrated edges mas aforesaid.'
Dated this Eleventh day of November in the year of our Lord 1899
WILLIAM JOSEPH HOLT.