BETWEEN THE U. S. COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS AND JAMES A. CUTTING, RELATIVE TO HIS APPLICATIONS FOR LETTERS PATENT.
United States Patent Office, April 17, 1854.
Sir: Your application for letters patent for an alleged improvement in making photographic pictures, having been submitted to the proper examiner, is rejected. As the use of alcohol to absorb water in hasty desiccation is understood to be commonly practical in most chemical laboratories, no reference is thought necessary for the rejection of the first claim.
Secondly, the mixture of alcohol and ether in unlimited proportions to dissolve gun cotton for photographic purposes, is common. [See Gaudin's Process, "Humphrey's Daguerreian Journal," vol. 4, p. 229.]
Thirdly, collodion with bromide basis, is not new. [See General Remarks on Collodion, by Gaudin, "Photographic Art Journal," 1st Series, vol. 6, p. 348.]
The two articles above referred to are translated from the French, and contain also, it is believed, sufficient to show that the subject of the fourth claim has been anticipated, rendering further reference unnecessary.
Respectfully yours, &c.,
S. F. Shugert, Acting Commissioner.
J. A. Cutting (care of C. G. Page), Washington, D. C.
Jane 17, 1854.