At its core the reproduction of the printed word is usually a process which is based on relief printing. Historically (as things are now different), a cast piece of type when it is set for printing, has the shape of…
This week’s Inspiring Illustrations post about photography is on the topic of the somewhat less noble yet very prolific format of the postcard. As a result of two recent projects surrounding our collections my…
The medium of the Gelatin Silver Print was developed (no pun intended) in 1873 and was in general use by the 1880s. This type of photographic print is synonymous with what is quintessentially portrayed as black & white…
At first glance many would mistake the sepia tones of a woodburytype print with the very prolific 19th century process of the albumen print. There are a few key distinctions however between these processes. As an…
Thinking at an elementary level about photographic processes, one can associate the physical makeup of photographs with the romance and glamour of precious metals such as silver, gold, and platinum. At their core, the…
This week’s inspiring illustrations post is about a photo-mechanical process which I’ve always found to be one of the most evocative ways or reproducing photographs using the permanence of ink: the photogravure. These…
This week’s illustration post is a wonderful blend of the earlier photographic and the highly skilled engraving arts of the 19th century. The beautiful engravings on display here are the result of the labour of…