Question about T206 history

steve B · #1 02-07-2013, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf441

What about the actual printing plates? Would they have been destroyed once the production run was completed? I'm not familiar with the printing process in general, so I'm not even sure of what material these plates would have been made out of?

Thanks for all of the info to everyone who contributes to these types of threads!

There were two types in use at the time.

The older process used stones, actual special limestone blocks usually from Germany. Figure sheet plus maybe 4-6 inches in size and about 3-4 inches thick. Unless the job was being printed constantly these were resurfaced after the job was done since they were expensive, and took up a lot of room.

The other was the new metal plates. Usually aluminum surfaced with a limestone like surface that would hold water.
Those could be saved, but usually weren't.
Ours went in a stack to be recycled. The small ones made really great dustpans. The large ones were good for stuff like a doghouse roof or new flashing over the gutters...........You just had to remember that like the foil hat shiny side out worked best.

Steve B

wolf441 · #2 02-07-2013, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve B

There were two types in use at the time.

The older process used stones, actual special limestone blocks usually from Germany. Figure sheet plus maybe 4-6 inches in size and about 3-4 inches thick. Unless the job was being printed constantly these were resurfaced after the job was done since they were expensive, and took up a lot of room.

The other was the new metal plates. Usually aluminum surfaced with a limestone like surface that would hold water.
Those could be saved, but usually weren't.
Ours went in a stack to be recycled. The small ones made really great dustpans. The large ones were good for stuff like a doghouse roof or new flashing over the gutters...........You just had to remember that like the foil hat shiny side out worked best.

Steve B

Thanks so much for this info Steve! I've always wondered when reading about Plank possibly being so rare because of a damaged plate. Your posts has been extremely informative!

Runscott · #3 02-07-2013, 10:25 AM

Thanks Steve - it's always a real pleasure to read your posts about the printing process!

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