Slabbing old paper

[drc]

A big thing is that 'AAA' eBay seller didn't say they were cut out of books or magazines, and would, in so many words, imply that they were trading cards. They were sold deceptively. I've seen cut out woodcuts in Becket holders, but the difference is they were clearly labeled as cut outs . . . The collectability is a second issues

Cutting out a 1880s Harper's woodcut is an interesting issue. The woodcut is a finished print-- that was placed amongst the text. The woodcut block used to make that print was a block of wood in an of itself that was placed within the typeset. If you cut out the woodcut, you are cutting out the whole woodcut. Duly note that I prefer the whole page to a cutout woodcut-- if due to aesthetics more than ethics. I think the entire newspaper page looks neatest.

[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

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by drc

A big thing is that 'AAA' eBay seller didn't say they were cut out of books or magazines, and would, in so many words, imply that they were trading cards. They were sold deceptively. I've seen cut out woodcuts in Becket holders, but the difference is they were clearly labeled as cut outs . . . The collectability is a second issues

Cutting out a 1880s Harper's woodcut is an interesting issue. The woodcut is a finished print-- that was placed amongst the text. The woodcut block used to make that print was a block of wood in an of itself that was placed within the typeset. If you cut out the woodcut, you are cutting out the whole woodcut. Duly note that I prefer the whole page to a cutout woodcut-- if due to aesthetics more than ethics. I think the entire newspaper page looks neatest.

Going back on encapsulated woodcuts. Personally, I prefer the whole issue(although harder to display, unless it's a cover), or at the very least the whole page. In both cases the items are usually to large to encapsulate. I'm not against the cutout woodcuts, but much like you, I prefer the aesthetics of the item as a whole..