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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: capn on June 04, 2013, 06:00:12 PM

Title: The history of printing block materials
Post by: capn on June 04, 2013, 06:00:12 PM

Hi guys.

I was wondering if anyone knew the dates where different materials started and stopped with printing blocks?
I know they were initially wood. Did they go to copper and then lead? If so, in which years did these transitions take place?

I appreciate any knowledge on this. Thanks!

Title: Re: The history of printing block materials
Post by: bigwull on June 05, 2013, 01:50:01 AM

I doubt if they ever went with lead...its way too soft,and malleable

Title: Re: The history of printing block materials
Post by: mart on June 05, 2013, 06:00:02 AM

Can you not find a history on it ???

Title: Re: The history of printing block materials
Post by: Rauville on June 05, 2013, 06:19:56 AM

Bottom half of this page talks about materials, and when used somewhat...
http://www.damoselsprintersblocks.com/history.html (http://www.damoselsprintersblocks.com/history.html)

Title: Re: The history of printing block materials
Post by: capn on June 05, 2013, 08:59:41 AM

Quote from: mart on June 05, 2013, 06:00:02 AM

Can you not find a history on it ???

I can find plenty of history on the printing press...but not materials used for blocks...which is why I asked here.

If you know I'd love to hear the dates each material transitioned because I still can't find it.
Thanks!

Title: Re: The history of printing block materials
Post by: capn on June 05, 2013, 09:09:16 AM

Quote from: bigwull on June 05, 2013, 01:50:01 AM

I doubt if they ever went with lead...its way too soft,and malleable

Any printing type I have ever seen has been lead (and anything older is wood). I have also seen many mounted printing blocks that are lead.

Title: Re: The history of printing block materials
Post by: mart on June 05, 2013, 03:01:23 PM

You are pretty much asking the impossible !!  If you just want the history as it was used here in North America you would have to follow each method and person who used it back to its inception, then put all together in a timeline !! The changes would be very erratic and difficult to follow !!  Few of us have that kind of time available !!! Sorry !!

Title: Re: The history of printing block materials
Post by: Rauville on June 05, 2013, 03:55:08 PM

Quote from: capn on June 05, 2013, 09:09:16 AM

Quote from: bigwull on June 05, 2013, 01:50:01 AM

I doubt if they ever went with lead...its way too soft,and malleable

Any printing type I have ever seen has been lead (and anything older is wood). I have also seen many mounted printing blocks that are lead.

Actually, wooden type was available well into the later half of the 20th Century.
Here's a timeline showing the various makers over the years.

http://woodtype.org/repository/1/96/hamilton_timeline.gif (http://woodtype.org/repository/1/96/hamilton_timeline.gif)

Title: Re: The history of printing block materials
Post by: capn on June 05, 2013, 05:01:08 PM

OK, I guess what I'm asking is if I have a copper printing block...roughly how old is it? Or is that impossible to say?

Just want to be able to somewhat date this if I see them...that's all.

Thanks!

Title: Re: The history of printing block materials
Post by: bigwull on June 05, 2013, 06:38:38 PM

Quote from: Rauville on June 05, 2013, 03:55:08 PM

Quote from: capn on June 05, 2013, 09:09:16 AM

Quote from: bigwull on June 05, 2013, 01:50:01 AM

I doubt if they ever went with lead...its way too soft,and malleable

Any printing type I have ever seen has been lead (and anything older is wood). I have also seen many mounted printing blocks that are lead.

Ah,well,....just goes to show..what i know about printing blocks....Now if it had been about Lego...Blocks...... well, don,t know much about them either.... ;D.

Actually, wooden type was available well into the later half of the 20th Century.
Here's a timeline showing the various makers over the years.

http://woodtype.org/repository/1/96/hamilton_timeline.gif (http://woodtype.org/repository/1/96/hamilton_timeline.gif)

Title: Re: The history of printing block materials
Post by: mart on June 05, 2013, 06:46:23 PM

Actually that is much easier to research !!