Baren Digest             Sunday, 29 September 2002     Volume 20 : Number 1975


----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Sharri LaPierre <Barebonesart#attbi.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 10:32:59 -0700
Subject: [Baren 19346] Re: Baren Digest V20 #1974 

Charles,
I don't recall exactly when what shift occurred, but copper is the metal 
of choice due to the manner in which the acid bites the plate. Because 
the bite goes straight down, rather than curving back under the line, it 
is much more durable during printing, and allows for finer work.  Zinc 
became the metal of choice for classrooms because it is much less 
expensive and can be etched using nitric, rather than necessitating a 
mixture with several ingredients such as mordant.  And, of course, now 
we've made the leap to ferric as the acid of choice. I haven't checked, 
but perhaps that hunk of a printmaker, Manly Bannister mentions some 
history in his book.
Sharri

------------------------------

From: "jim.bryant" <jim.bryant#murraystate.edu>
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 13:03:44 -0500
Subject: [Baren 19347] not wood block 

Charles, I can't tell you why necessarily or even when, but i can give you 
some more information. Rembrandt used copper for his etchings, some 
of which have been steel faced since, to give them a longer life. Copper 
plates were even a popular material for painting on in 15-1600s.

Copper is better for engraving as well, because unlike many metals it can 
be made with no grain, and is soft-ish, making it easier on the wrists.

to the best of my knowledge, zinc became popular because it has been 
somewhat cheaper than copper. steel may be less popular because it is 
harder, and takes longer to etch.

and to relate it back to woodblock printing, copper is also what was 
commonly used for photogravure plates that would have been mounted to 
type high blocks for printing turn of the last century posters on Vandercook 
type letterpresses (along with type and woodcut images).

check out "A History of Engraving and Etching" by Arthur Hind, published 
by Dover.

jim-

>From: Charles Morgan <cmorgan#uvic.ca>
>Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 16:49:34 -0700
>Subject: [Baren 19344] not wood block
>
>O.K. It is off topic , but ...
>
>Does anyone know of any historical reference material that talks about 

the

>various plate material used for etching. Steel plates seem to have been 

the

>first to be used. But in the 1900s, copper plate seems to be almost
>universal. When and why did the shift occur? And when did zinc begin to 

be

>used, and why?
>
>Thanks for any help ......
>
>Cheers ........ Charles
>
>------------------------------
>
>End of Baren Digest V20 #1974
>*****************************



------------------------------

End of Baren Digest V20 #1975
*****************************