Questions about Woodcuts and CDV/Cabinet Cards & Old Judge cards

[mouschi]

Originally Posted by steve B

The negatives themselves last a long time, as long as there is no wear from handling etc. But most of what was printed was a different size than the negative, and adding the company name meant duplicating the negative. each duplication causes a little less sharpness in the image. How much depends on the skill of the person doing the job.

The woodcuts were sort of printed by hand. Even around the time of the earlier ones the presses were pretty fast. and by the 1870's a major publication would probably be oriented on a steam powered press.

The best woodcuts were sometimes called wood engravings, and were cut into the end grain of a maple block. It was durable enough, and could be carved in enough detail.

Thanks Steve! Great info.