Vignettes were used when printing portraits to give a soft outline to the centre of the image and stop the edges of the negative from printing. The vignette is held a little way above the paper to diffuse its outlines, a slot is sometimes found in printing frames for this. A popular, early, type was a piece of red/yellow glass with a clear central part. Other forms were of card or metal. Several mechanical models were made allowing the central area to be altered in size and shape.

References & Notes:

Cyclopedia of Photography, p. 557.

Sershall's Patent Vignette Papers

1890

Celluloid.

References & Notes:

BP 10012/1890.;

Primus Adjustable Vignettes

W. Butcher & Sons

London

England

Quarter-plate, 3 cardboard mounts with cotton wool surrounding oval cut-outs.

With:

Box.

Primus Adjustable Masks and Disks

W. Butcher & Sons

London

England

Quarter-plate, 50 masks.

For producing borders on prints. Price 1/-.

With:

Box.

Primus Caricature Negatives, Sporting Series

W. Butcher & Sons

London

England

Quarter-plate. These are line drawn caricature vignettes. The photographer adds the head of a person by secondary printing. Produced in at least two sizes - quarter-plate and postcard and in three subjects - sports, seaside and indoor games. The price on the packet is 1/-.

With:

Packet.

References & Notes:

BJA 1908, p. 167.; Photographic Fashions, p. 114.

20th Century Border Negatives

20th Century Photographic Co.

London

England

Ornate borders and mattes some with interchangeable mottoes. Postcard size.

These are border negatives with elaborate designs resembling greeting cards of the period.

With:

Instructions.; Envelope.

Valu Border Negatives

W. Butcher & Sons

London

England

Three glass plates with elaborate floral designs. Quarter-plate.

With:

Instructions.; Box.

Ensign See-thru Masks

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Three orange celluloid masks. 2 ½" x 3 ½".

With:

Packet.

Ensign See-thru Masks

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Three orange celluloid masks. 1 ⅞" x 1 ½".

Notes:

Retailer's label: G E Becket & Co. 77 - 79 Oxford Rd. Manchester.

With:

Packet.

Ensign Printing Masks

Houghtons Ltd

London

England

25 masks. Postcard size. Price 6d.

Notes:

Sold by: Chas. W. Usher MPS. Amble.

With:

Packet.

Glass Vignettes

Yellow-orange tint. 4" x 5".

Butcher & Son Company Details

Houghton-Butcher Company Details

Houghtons Company Details

Early Photography

References & Notes:

Sershall's Patent Vignette Papers

1890

References & Notes:

Primus Adjustable Vignettes

W. Butcher & Sons

London

England

With:

Primus Adjustable Masks and Disks

W. Butcher & Sons

London

England

With:

Primus Caricature Negatives, Sporting Series

W. Butcher & Sons

London

England

With:

References & Notes:

20th Century Border Negatives

20th Century Photographic Co.

London

England

With:

Valu Border Negatives

W. Butcher & Sons

London

England

With:

Ensign See-thru Masks

Ensign Ltd

London

England

With:

Ensign See-thru Masks

Ensign Ltd

London

England

Notes:

With:

Ensign Printing Masks

Houghtons Ltd

London

England

Notes:

With:

Glass Vignettes

Darkroom Equipment