U.S. Patent 312,044 by Charles Wagenfohr
On April 7, 2006, I received the following note:
I have arrived at this site in an attempt to find information about an object of art that I have. It is a copper relief of what appears to be a Greek garden scene and is marked "Wagenfohr NY " and "PAT. FEB'Y 10 1885. If you have any knowledge of thgis piece or can direct me to another source of information I would greatly appreciate it. Thanking you in advance,
I responded, asking for photos and any other available information, but received no reply.
On May 9, 2006, a listing appeared on eBay with a description that matched the note I received on April 7, including photos of the piece, one of which was the inscription Wagenfohr N Y.
While the listing was still active, I discovered the website freepatentsonline.com
and found two patents issued to Charles Wagenfohr, No. 312,044 containing an illustration of this imitation bronze plate and a description of the process that was used to make it.
I did buy the plate, which you can view along with the patent by clicking on the thumbnails below.
