Re: Gelatin (waterproofing)

That sounds like a positive direction. I'm wondering what oil or
combination of oils would dry to a film without causing loss of
detail in the highlights of the matrix. I know that both the Woodburytype
and the Stannotype required light oiling and removal of the excess before
the gelatin-pigment mixture was poured into the mold. This of course
prevented the gelatin from sticking to the metal surface. I believe that the
Heimsoeth method did not require additional oiling during printing. Thus,
eliminating another step in making a Woodburytype print.

I'm looking at readily available polymers at the moment:
http://www.aquaseal.com/map-seal.html
It may prove to be too thick of a coating for this process however.

A substance is needed that will penetrate the gelatin and leave a micro-
thin layer on the surface. I'd like to hear more about the drying oil idea.

-best regards,

Phillip

Dave Soemarko wrote:

> Would diluted drying oil work? It would coat the gelatin layer and form an
> film on top of the matrix. Being oil, it will repel the water-based gelatin
> in later operation as well.
>
> Dave S
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Phillip Murphy" <pmurf@bellsouth.net>
> To: <alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2003 12:00 PM
> Subject: 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 17:37:29 2003