When the biting is finished rapidly place the plate under the tap and rinse thoroughly, breaking away the film with your fingers; it seems to have rotted under the action of the acid and is easily removed.
Remove the walling wax, clean off the varnish with chloroform or turpentine, or alcohol first, and chloroform last. This leaves a dim picture on the plate, with a kind of scum over it; wet the plate with turpentine and start heavily with rouge, rubbing to and fro equally all over the plate with a ball of absorbent cotton; continue this treatment, using less and less rouge and more turpentine until you give the final polish to the high lights with a clean dry piece of cotton. Be very careful not to overdo in rouging; the scum (if the biting of the plate is of medium strength) should clear from the plate with hardly a touch, and with very little rouging. Some plates require a great deal of rouging; it then generally means that you must look to your sensitizer. I again draw your attention to the rouging; here is where any artistic feeling you may possess will come into play with taste and patience.
After the plate is rouged sufficiently, an engraver's burnisher is used to clean up the highest lights and to modify others. Two or three roulettes of different fineness are valuable to touch up any darks that need deepening; it matches very well with the grain, but I am always trying to dispense with the use of the roulettes; one ought to get it with the acid alone. A No. 6 sewing needle in a holder(dentist's pin-holder, screw end) is necessary to touch out occasional white specks. You will have plenty of them at first unless you look out carefully for dust on the film; keep all your solutions constantly attended to by occasional filtering, and don't use your sensitizing solution more than half a dozen times; keep it well corked; if it gets old it scums the plate too much.
Before final finishing by hand a working proof should be printed from the plate by an expert plate printer, by which, what the plate needs can be determined before final proving.
Have the plate proved on different papers, and with different colored inks, so as to judge the effect. Imperial Japan is the best paper, besides etching paper, India, thin Chinese and Japanese papers. The cost of proving per single proof is 25 cents for a 4 × 6 plate on Imp. Japan, about $2.00 per doz. same paper; etching paper, about $5.00 per 100—less for large quantities.
A second-hand D press, suitable for printing large or small editions or for proving, can be bought in Boston or New York for from $75 to $100. For instructions in printing see Hamerton's "Etchers and Etching."
The life of a photogravure plate without steel facing does not last much beyond 75 impressions, so that if an edition is needed, send the plate to any good printer who will have it steel-faced for you; their charges are very moderate, about 50 cents for a 4 × 6 plate. The steel-facing is accomplished by first making the plate chemically clean, as before preparation for graining, only be very thorough in using an old tooth-brush to get out the dirt and in addition use chloroform before using potash. Then solder a copper wire on to the back. The negative wire is attached to the copper plate. To the positive pole of the quart Smee battery is fastened a bright steel plate same size of copper, in a gallon jar. The plates are hung from glassrods ½ inch apart, a sufficient quantity of the following solution to be poured into the jar:
(Denison's.)
Warm water20 ouncesAmmonium chloride3 ouncesSulphate of iron and ammonia4 ounces
Filter, and let stand for 24 hours. Five (5) minutes will cover the plate with a thin film of steel.
"Place the copper plate in a porcelain tray on the bottom of which rests a brightly burnished copper wire, the negative pole.
"The anode on the positive pole, a bright steel plate, is suspended over the copper plate, and kept in motion while the circuit is closed. A precipitate of steel, resembling silver in appearance, must instantly occur upon the copper plate, any air-bells to be removed. Five minutes is sufficient to deposit a perfect steel coating." Grease the plate after steel facing, to keep off the rust. Formula:
(Obernetter's.)
Distilled water1 litreChloride of ammonium60 grammesProto sulphate of iron30 grammesIron alum30 grammes
Printing Frame (deep), 8 × 10, screw pressure, $8.Roll Carbon Tissue, No. 100; Standard Brown, $3.Johnson Actinometer, $1.25.Beaumé Hydrometer, $1.25 (with glass).Silver " (argentometer) 75c.Engravers' Scraper, $1.75, best grade." Burnisher, $1.75, "Powder Box for graining (paste-board), $1.Powdered Syrian Asphaltum, $1 per pound.Nine (9) pounds Perchloride of Iron (C. P. crystals), 45c. per pound.Stick Rouge, 20c.Turpentine, 20c. (refined).Alcohol (95 per cent.).Modeling Wax, $1.25.One Ps. Scotch Stone, 25c.One dozen Glass Blowers' Charcoal, $2.0c per dozen sticks (for polishing copper).One pound Absorbent Cotton, 50c.One pound Caustic Potash C. P. (sticks).One Porcelain Tray, deep, 11 × 14, $3.50.One Florence Hand Lamp, 75c.One Squeegee.Three Roulettes, $1.50 each.Hand Vise, 75c.Calipers, 50c.Dairy Thermometer, 25 c.One bottle Etchers' Varnish, 50c.One ounce Chloroform, 20c.Six ounces Bichromate Potassium.One pound Concentrated Ammonia.
Printing Frame (deep), 8 × 10, screw pressure, $8.Roll Carbon Tissue, No. 100; Standard Brown, $3.Johnson Actinometer, $1.25.Beaumé Hydrometer, $1.25 (with glass).Silver " (argentometer) 75c.Engravers' Scraper, $1.75, best grade." Burnisher, $1.75, "Powder Box for graining (paste-board), $1.Powdered Syrian Asphaltum, $1 per pound.Nine (9) pounds Perchloride of Iron (C. P. crystals), 45c. per pound.Stick Rouge, 20c.Turpentine, 20c. (refined).Alcohol (95 per cent.).Modeling Wax, $1.25.One Ps. Scotch Stone, 25c.One dozen Glass Blowers' Charcoal, $2.0c per dozen sticks (for polishing copper).One pound Absorbent Cotton, 50c.One pound Caustic Potash C. P. (sticks).One Porcelain Tray, deep, 11 × 14, $3.50.One Florence Hand Lamp, 75c.One Squeegee.Three Roulettes, $1.50 each.Hand Vise, 75c.Calipers, 50c.Dairy Thermometer, 25 c.One bottle Etchers' Varnish, 50c.One ounce Chloroform, 20c.Six ounces Bichromate Potassium.One pound Concentrated Ammonia.
The Scovill & Adams Co., 423 Broome Street. Photographic Materials and Photo-Engravers' Supplies.
Messrs. Bestgen & Co., 1001 Washington Street, Boston, Mass. Polishers of Copper Plates.
Mr. George Schard, 116 Wooster Street, New York. Polisher Copper Plates.
Mr. Jos. Wheeler, 299 Washington Street, Boston, Mass. Printer of Photogravures.
Messrs. J. H. Daniels & Co., Oliver Street, Boston, Mass. Printers of Photogravures.
Messrs. Frost & Adams, Cornhill, Boston, Mass. Engravers' and Etchers' Supplies.
Messrs. F. W. Devoe & Co., Fulton Street, New York. Engravers' and Etchers' Supplies.
Messrs. Fusch & Lang, 29 Warren Street, New York. Engravers' Supplies.
Mr. Alfred Sellers, 58 Fulton Street, New York. Engravers' Supplies (screw pressure printing frames).
Messrs. John Sellers & Sons, 17 Dey Street, New York. Engravers' Supplies.
Messrs. Eimer & Amend, 18th Street and 3d Avenue, New York. Chemists, Glassblowers Charcoal.
Messrs. Theodore Metcalf & Co., Tremont Street, Boston, Mass. Chemists.
Messrs. Kimmel & Voigt, 242 Canal Street, New York. Expert Photogravure Printers.
Messrs. Whitely & Co., Centre Street, New York. Polisher of Copper Plates.
Messrs. Gilderslieve & Co., 18th Street, New York. Blankets for Press.
Mr. Charles Creedner, 19 South William Street, Room 4, New York. Japan Paper.
Mr. Geo. B. Sharp, 13 Baxter Street, New York. Copper Plates.
Messrs. F. A. Ringler, 21 Barclay Street, New York. Steel Facing Copper Plates, Printers of Photogravures.
Messrs. Leidel & Co., 901 6th Avenue, corner 51st Street, New York. Modeling Wax; Etchers' Supplies.
Thomas Hall (Electrician), Bromfield Street, Boston, Mass. Hydrometers (Smee's Battery), etc.
New York Steel and Copper Plate Co., 171 Wallabout Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mr. Jas. Moffet, 159 Wooster Street, New York. Copper Plates in the Rough.
La Photogravure facile et à bon marché. Par l'Abbé Ferret. Paris. 1889. Price, 1 fr. 25 cents.
Manuel d'Heliographie et de Photogravure en Relief. Par G. Bonnet. 1890. Paris. 2 fr. 50 cents.
Photogravure. By W. T. Wilkinson. 1890. London, E. C. Published by Messrs Iliffe & Son, 3 St. Bride Street. Price, 1s.6d.
Photo-Engraving and Photo-Etching. By W. T. Wilkinson. Sold by The Scovill & Adams Co., New York. Price, $3.00.
Hamerton's "Etchers and Etching." Roberts Bros., Boston, Mass. Price, $4.00.
Photo-Etching in India. Article inPhotographic News(English), November 1, 1889.
"Photogravure, or Photographic Etching on Copper." By Herbert Denison. A lecture delivered before the Photographic Society of Great Britain. Printed inThe Photographic Times, April 21st, 1893, and following issues.
Photogravure or Photo-Etching. Article inWilson's Magazine, 1890-1891.
Notes on Photo-Aquatint. Catalogue of Exhibition, Illustrating the Reproductive Arts and Photo-Mechanical Processes. Address S. R. Koehler, Boston Art Museum, Boston, Mass.
FOOTNOTES[A]Now Boussod, Valadon et Cie.[B]British Journal Almanac, 1874.[C]Reversed as regards right and left.[D]N. B.—During cold weather use only half the quantity of Chrome Alum in above.
[A]Now Boussod, Valadon et Cie.
[A]Now Boussod, Valadon et Cie.
[B]British Journal Almanac, 1874.
[B]British Journal Almanac, 1874.
[C]Reversed as regards right and left.
[C]Reversed as regards right and left.
[D]N. B.—During cold weather use only half the quantity of Chrome Alum in above.
[D]N. B.—During cold weather use only half the quantity of Chrome Alum in above.
will be found, upon comparison, to besuperiorin every respect to all other brands on the market. Its distinctive points of superiority are:
1ST.—ABSOLUTE PURITY
2D.—PERFECT CRYSTALLIZATION
3D.—IMMACULATE WHITENESS
4TH.—EXTREME LIGHTNESS
5TH.—MODERATE COST
(Its price is not higher than that of any other make.)
Merck's Pyrogallic Acidproduces the highest intensity to be desired in a photographic plate, and, at the same time, the finest detail in light and shade required for the most perfect printing negative.Under ordinary precaution, it retains all its superior qualities undiminished for an indefinite length of time.
Merck's Pyrogallic Acid
produces the highest intensity to be desired in a photographic plate, and, at the same time, the finest detail in light and shade required for the most perfect printing negative.
Under ordinary precaution, it retains all its superior qualities undiminished for an indefinite length of time.
WHEN ORDERING SPECIFY"MERCK'S."
TO BE HAD OFALL DEALERS.
"I have tested Merck's pyro carefully in comparison with the other pyros at present on the market, and I find that it is superior to any and all of them."
Prof.Charles Ehrmann,Instructor of the Chautauqua School of Photography.
"I shall, in future, certainly use no other pyro but Merck's. The best is always good enough for me."
Alfred Stieglitz,EditorAmerican Amateur Photographer.
"Merck's Pyrogallic Acid will be found a very superior article. Its purity is absolute, with quick crystallization and immaculate whiteness. In use, it produces the highest intensity that can be desired in the negatives. The detail in light and shade is perfect, producing printing qualities unsurpassed by any pyro we have ever used."
St. Louis and Canadian Photographer.
"Merck's pyro has undergone a severe test in my hands. I find it to possess many qualities which give it superiority over all other makes. Authorities place the solubility of pyro as one part in two of water. I found one ounce of Merck's to dissolve readily in 1:7 of water at 60°. It is extremely light, pure, and of a fine white color, giving rich negatives full of vigor and sparkling brilliancy."
Walter E. Woodbury,Editor ofThe Photographic Times.
"I have used Merck's Pyrogallic Acid, and prefer it to all others."
B. W. Kilburn,Official Photographer (Stereoscopic), at the Columbian World's Fair, and San Francisco Mid-Winter Exposition.
"I have tried Merck's pyro and must certainly say it is the best I ever used. The results I have obtained with it are remarkably fine."
W. B. Post,Amateur Photographer, New York.
Moreno Studio, Fifth Ave., New York.
"I have been using Merck's pyro in my studio, and am very well pleased with it. It is clean, gives brilliant negatives, and is reliable, one day's work being exactly the same as another's."
A. Moreno.
"I have been using Merck's pyro, and am ready to indorse the high praise which you have found it entitled to: 'that it is superior in point of purity, lightness and solubility' to any like product that I have seen. In fact, 'the new and improved process' seems to reach in its result the point beyond which it is impossible to go—that is, perfection. This was my impression at first sight, and using serves only to confirm it.
In my opinion, pyro stands at the head of all developers of dry plates, and I am much mistaken if Merck's pyro, when known, does not lead all brands of pyro."
W. H. Sherman,Professional Photographer, Milwaukee.
The articles contained in this outfit are all that is necessary for the Half-tone Process, except when the installation of large and expensive machinery is warranted.
1 10 x 12 American Optical Co. Enlarging, Reducing and Copying Camera, fitted with Patent Screen Plate Holder$56 001 Camera Swing20 001 Copy Board2 001 Max Levy Screen, 133 lines to the inch, 10 x 1280 001 Max Levy Screen, 150 lines to the inch, 10 x 1295 001 Rectilinear Lens, Rapid Paragon, 10 x 12, w. D.68 002 2-qt. Funnels, glass, 25c.506 8-oz. " " 12c.721 pkg. No. 33 Filtering Paper752 Hydrometers, 50c.1 002 11 x 14 Glass Baths in Studio Box, $714 001 Rubber Dipper601 2-gall. Evap. Dish3 002 10 x 12 Porcelain Trays, $1.663 322 10 x 12 Vulcanite Trays, $1.753 502 16-oz. Graduates, 75c.1 504 4-oz. " 30c.1 201 9 x 11 Printing Frame, 1-in. glass9 501 8 x 10 Retouching Frame3 752 large Neg. Racks6 001 13-in. French Hand Roller7 001 Composition Roller, 12-in.4 002 Pincers2 002 Acid Brushes3 501 Ink Spatula1 001 Hook for cutting Zinc Plates1 50Retouching Brushes501 gal. Absolute Alcohol4 003½ lbs. Ether2 634 oz. Pary's Gun Cotton, 50c.2 004 oz. Iodide Potass., 30c.1 202 oz. Resubl. Iodine, 35c.703 lbs. Nitrate Silver Crystal, $8.5025 501 lb. Absorbent Cotton, 1 lb. packages755 lbs. Protosulph. Iron, 10c.501 lb. Citric Acid701 " Bichloride Mercury1 005 " Cyanide Potash3 251 " Glycerine305 b'ks Blue Litmus Paper, 5c.251 lb. Aqua Ammonia fort.32½ lb. Nitric Acid, C. P.451 gall. Benzole1 501 lb. Bichromate Ammonia751 " Caustic Potash158 " Com'l Nitric Acid, 45c.3 601 " Ferri Chloride, 1 bot.301 " Rubber Cement, 1 can301 " Nitrate Lead, 1 bot.1 001 " Ferricyan. Potash, 1 bot.1 00½ " Transfer Ink2 50½ " Engraver's Charcoal1 501 " Pumice Stone105 " Sulphate Copper, 40c.2 002 " ⅜-in. Brass Pins, 40c.801 " Lith. Ink, black3 502 galls. Le Page's Liquid Glue, $2.254 501 Shoot Board and Plane25 001 set Engraving Tools1 501 " Finishing "2 501 ½-in. Flat File501 1-in. "851 set Ass'd Sable Pencils, Nos. 1 to 6621 Darlot Focusing Glass2 501 5-in. Engraver's Pad, filled1 001 Egg Beater301 set Roulettes6 001 ream Proof Paper10 001 16-oz. plain Collodion Vial551 lb. best Dragon's Blood85Polished Zinc Plates, sq. in.01" Copper " "01¼
No.61.Size,6½ × 8½, 4ft. bedPrice,$38 00"62."8 × 10, 5ft. bed"43 00"63."10 × 12, 5""56 00"64."11 × 14, 5""68 00"65."14 × 17, 6""80 00"66."17 × 20, 7""95 00"67."20 × 24, 7""118 00
Special sizes and styles made to order.
The form of construction of this Camera is made apparent by the illustration here shown.
These Cameras are made of hardwood, shellacked, not varnished. Naturally they are without swing, but in every requisite they are complete; and for this particular service, as well as others, the American Optical Company's make is sought for before all others. Such varied lengths of bed are required and ordered, that we can only give a price list for Copying Cameras with the regulation length of bed. We make them to order of any length of platform desired, either rigid or detachable, and with either single or double bellows.
Estimates promptly and cheerfully furnished.
No.70.6½ × 8½,with bed3feet in lengthPrice,$33 00"71.8 × 10,"3¾""38 00"72.10 × 12,"4""46 00"73.11 × 14,"4½""53 00"74.14 × 17,"5""66 00"75.17 × 20,"6""72 00"76.20 × 24,"6""98 00
Larger sizes made to order.
When ordering Copying Camera, please give length of cone, if that is needed.
(Patent applied for.)
This Holder, as is shown in the cut above, is a great improvement over any heretofore manufactured for photo-engraving purposes. Its principal points of superiority are, briefly:
First.—The ease with which it is adjusted for different size plates and screens, by a simple sliding movement of the two inside frames to or from the centre, and thus dispensing with the expensive and troublesome use of kit frames.
Second.—The convenience by which the screen plate is accurately adjusted to the sensitized plate by means of the metallic sliding adjusters. (Heretofore it has been necessary to do the adjusting by means of inserting different thicknesses of cardboard, paper, etc.)
Third.—Different thicknesses in the screen plates are allowed for by means of a spring which always holds the plate in accurate place, no matter what its thickness may be.
Fourth.—A graduated scale on each screen adjuster makes it easy to always insure absolute accuracy in determining the distance of the screen plate from the wet plate.
Fifth.—The simplicity of construction and excellent workmanship of the entire holder, being made, as it is, in the factory of the famous American Optical Company.
And, altogether, it is an ingeniously designed and beautifully constructed holder, which will be found of indispensable aid to the practical photographer.
These holders are thicker than the ordinary plate holders, and if it is desired to use them on a camera the ground glass of which is focused for the ordinary plate holder, a new ground glass frame is necessary in order to adjust the focus. When ordering a holder to fit a camera in use, send the old holder or the old ground glass frame, so that the new ones can be made to fit the camera. Also state the size of largest and smallest screen plate to be used in holder.
It is made in various sizes. Prices as follows:
Framesonly;for Ground Glass.8 × 10size$15 50$1 5010 × 12"21 001 5011 × 14"26 501 8814 × 17"29 002 2517 × 20"32 502 6318 × 22"36 002 6320 × 24"40 753 00
If adjustment from the outside of holder is desired, add $2.00 to above prices.
The Printing Frames made by the American Optical Co. for photo-engraving are like everything else manufactured by this factory, of the highest degree of perfection, and the utmost care was given to the comparative distance of screws so as to produce an even pressure. Many negatives have been either ruined or snapped by the use of imperfect Printing Frames.
The American Optical Co. Printing Frames for photo-engraving are the only safe ones on the market.
8 × 10,includingone-inchglass$8 0010 × 12,"""11 029 × 11,"""9 5011 × 14,"""13 0014 × 17,"""19 00
Larger and special sizes made to order.
To Photo Engravers:
Having systematically undertaken the improvement of photo engravers' appliances, we follow the S. & A. Photo Engravers' Adjustable Screen Plate Holder, and the S. & A. accurately adjusted Photo-Engraving Printing Frames, with the
to which we call the attention of those interested in this business. We extend to them a cordial invitation to examine the same at our salesrooms.
These Photo-Engraving Etching Tubs will "fill a long felt want" with the photo engravers, as they are constructed so as to resist the strongest acids, and combine the features suggested by practical experience.
The tub measures, inside, 48½ inches long, 20¼ inches wide, and 7⅝ inches deep, and the price of same is $10.00.
Very truly yours,
The Scovill & Adams Co.
people were satisfied to worry along with whatever crude appliances came easiest to hand....
The material progressof the nineteenth century, however, has created a demand for a higher order of mechanical products than was formerly deemed essential, and this is peculiarly the case with ...
Process Engravers.
To meet this demand, the firm ofJohn Royle & Sonshave devoted the best part of their time, for the past 25 years, to the improvement of the mechanical accessories to Process Engraving, and with what success is best testified to by the fact that their machinery is used exclusively by thebestProcess Engravers, both in the United States and abroad.
Chrome=Gelatineand. .Photo=Gelatine.
Chrome-Gelatine is a perfected modification of the three-color printing process. It is so named from the Gelatine process of printing being used to produce the resulting pictures, which are allowed to be really wonderful, and which may be reproductions from original Oil Paintings, Water-colors, Views from Nature, Objects of Still Life, Textile Fabrics—indeed, all classes of work copied from originals in color. The results, in all cases, are produced from three-color negatives. Artists, whose works have been reproduced by this method, express their satisfaction of the results in the highest terms, without qualification.
PhotogravureandAquarelle(Photogravure in Colors.)
Photogravures are of all classes of subjects.
An important modification of this process has recently been perfected (patent applied for), by which the delicacy of the gelatine print is maintained, at the same time that great strength and color is produced in the shadows. The plates thus made are very durable, and show but little wear after many thousands of impressions have been produced. Moreover, they require no finishing or handling after having been etched, and are quite easily printed.
Aquarelles are printed from photogravure plates, inked up locally in a variety of colors. When the whole of the plate has been so inked, the impression is pulled. The results are beautiful, but the process of printing is exceedingly slow—three or four impressions a day, only, being obtainable from a moderate sized plate.
THE N. Y. PHOTOGRAVURE CO. has on hand thousands of subjects of all classes, available for the purposes of illustration, and at the service of its customers. The newest and best subjects are being continually added to this collection. Sets of illustrations selected with the greatest care and skill, for any desired purpose.
Forty cents a number. Four dollars a year. Each number contains eight exquisite Photogravures, Photo-gelatines or Color Prints, by the new Chrome-gelatine process, printed on paper 11 × 14 inches, with descriptive letter-press. Six volumes are now complete, price $4.00 each. Each volume contains nearly one hundred plates. The whole six volumes form a complete gallery of current art.
"SUN AND SHADE reproduces not only the most notable paintings and portraits, but the best work of amateur and professional photographers. If it gave nothing but the latter work it would be deserving of the most liberal patronage that it receives; but it is an admirable record of the greatest paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, of living American players, of portraits of celebrated Americans, of great American painters, with reproductions of their work, and it is a monument of the N. Y. Photogravure Co., which is a monument of artistic New York."
ZINC COPPERANDBRASS PLATESFORPhoto-Engravers.
Inking Slabs, Chemicals (Chas. Cooper & Co.'s), Formulas, and all Supplies for Photo-Engravers.
IN ALBUMEN, BITUMEN, OR THE ENAMEL PROCESS.