Slabbing old paper

[joeadcock]

David

Thanks for your explanation, but I still dont follow. Was interested prior in what was meant by a woodcut. As I have little knowledge of the process, could you explain it in a little more detail?

I dont understand how the wood was incorporated with a type set. Did they start with a piece of wood and somebody whittled out the players face/torso? Did they then add the words via typical type(metal). They then used ink on both and pressed it against paper?

Thanks

[steve B]

Originally Posted by joeadcock

David

Thanks for your explanation, but I still dont follow. Was interested prior in what was meant by a woodcut. As I have little knowledge of the process, could you explain it in a little more detail?

I dont understand how the wood was incorporated with a type set. Did they start with a piece of wood and somebody whittled out the players face/torso? Did they then add the words via typical type(metal). They then used ink on both and pressed it against paper?

Thanks

Exactly. The block is usually maple and they carve the design into the endgrain which can take fine detail. they remove all but what is supposed to print. Then the wood block is used as if it were a piece of type.

I did it in an art class, and it's pretty challenging. To think the newspaper guys turned out loads of them in any given week and all with lots of detail continues to impress me.

Some may actually be photographically etched copper plates. Still done by hand and very quickly...


Steve B