Re: Gelatin (waterproofing)

Andrew Atkinson has created work in England using photopolymer plates.
They are used as "masters" for creating the printing plate. Photopolymer
molds would, like gelatin relief molds, need to become "waterproof" in
order to use them as Woodburytype molds.

Dried gelatin can withstand many tons per square inch of pressure without
distorting as Woodbury discovered. However, this quality isn't necessary
when you consider that a final Woodburytype print is created with very
little pressure. Woodbury's original press consisted of two sheets of
glass sandwiching the mold, gelatin and paper. Wearing of a hardened
and "waterproofed" gelatin plate is not known since little information exists
regarding the method.

Nonetheless, using "waterproofed" gelatin is the basis of the Heimsoeth method
which was patented around the turn of the century as Andrew Atkinson discovered.

This would be a German patent issued around 1900 for Heimsoeth & Co.
Would anyone on the list know of or have a copy of this Patent?

all the best,

Phillip

Dave S wrote:

> If you are thinking about hardening and waterproofing the gelatin to be used
> as the mold, I think the gelatin might not have enough strength for that
> even after it is waterproven.
>
> There is a patent about using modern material for doing Woodburytype. I read
> it a few years ago but I forgot the title. You could probably do a search on
> woodburytype and find something.
>
> I think photopolymer (either liquid or pre-manufactured plates) can be made
> to work as mold of Woodburytype. It's worth experimenting, but that's just
> my "feeling."
>
> Dave S
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Phillip Murphy" <pmurf@bellsouth.net>
> To: <alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2003 10:41 AM
> Subject: Re: Gelatin (waterproofing)
>
> > Hi Gary,
> >
> > I'm investigating the potential of a couple of methods of
> > creating Woodburytype plates for casting pigment images.
> > One is the Stannotype process that was invented by Woodbury,
> > and the other is the Heimsoeth method which came later.
> >
> > best regards,
> >
> > Phillip
> >
> >
> > Gary Nored wrote:
> >
> > > On 21 Dec 2003, at 7:51, Phillip Murphy wrote:
> > >
> > > > Is it possible to prevent a dried gelatin layer from taking up
> > > > moisture from the atmosphere? Is it possible to prevent
> > > > water in contact with the layer from swelling the gelatin?
> > > > (In essence, waterproofing the gelatin)
> > > >
> > > Hi Phillip,
> > >
> > > I don't mean to pry, but Im so curious! Why do you want to do this?
> > > Are you seeking a conservation measure? Or, even better, do you
> > > have some exquisite new gelatin process in the works?
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > Gary Nored
> > > http://home.centurytel.net/Gary_Nored/
> >
> >
> >
Received on Wed Dec 31 11:00:52 2003