940 Mode of taking casts from coins, ^c. [No. 105. 



carefully cleared of the superfluous plaster, leaving a slightly shelving depression 

 round the edge of the coin; and hollows naust be made in the flat surface of the sur- 

 rounding plaster with the point of a knife. This must now be covered with soap-suds, 

 the coin being carefully retained in its place. The operation is now to be repeated 

 upon this surface, as in the first instance, the liquid plaster being poured over the 

 whole of the flat surface of the surrounding plaster. When set, the two parts of the 

 mould will be easily separated, the soap preventing the surface from adhering; and, 

 the coin being taken out, a channel must be cut to the outer edge of the mould, for 

 the passage of the sulphur. When prepared by moistening, as in the former instance, 

 and put together, the raised knobs corresponding with the small hollows made with the 

 point of the knife, will keep all steady ; and, the sulphur being poured into the mould 

 through the channel cut for it, a cast of the coin will be produced, exhibiting an exact 

 facsimile of the original. 



"From this process, it is not difficult to perceive how casts of small objects of 

 different kinds may be taken ; for example, moulds of the cylinders from Babylon or 

 Persepolis. These require to be taken in at least three parts. Having oiled the 

 cylinder, it is to be surrounded with a wide strip of paper, and the portion enclosed 

 taken, say one-third. Having removed this, and carefully trimmed the edges, made 

 hollow in the sides, as in the coin-mould, and soaped them, it is to be replaced upon the 

 cylinder, and another portion taken, say another third, by hooping with paper, &c. 

 as before. This after being separated from the first portion, trimmed, &c. as before, 

 is once more, with the first portion, to be applied to the cylinder hooped with paper, and 

 the third portion taken. When used for casting, after moistening and putting together, 

 a piece of doubled paper may be applied to one end, which may be kept in its place by 

 a finger placed beneath it, and the sulphur poured in at the other end, until the hollow 

 left by the contraction of the sulphur disappears. When cool, the mould is to be 

 removed, and the cast trimmed, cleared of the marks of the junction of the mould, 

 and, if thought fit, black leaded and varnished, as in the case of the coins. 



" Mr. Williams concluded with a few words respecting the purchase of plaster of 

 Paris. Of this article there are sevei'al qualities ; that procured at the oil-shops being 

 the commonest. That which is known by the name of Super is the only kind which 

 should be used for moulds ; and it is not generally to be obtained except from the 

 actual manufacturers. The best he has met with is prepared by Grande and Sons, Bed- 

 ford Street, Liquorpond Street ; and sold at the rate of one shilling and sixpence per 

 bag of fourteen pounds ; or wholesale at seven shillings per cwt. A bag of seven 

 pounds may, however, be procured. 



Note. — I have extracted and published this, in the belief that the account 

 of the process may be useful to coin collectors in this country. 



ft 



