Electrotype printing plate measuring 4.7cm x 4.2cm overall.

Stamped to edge ‘E&S FED -20- NAT SOC’ denoting Electrotypers & Stereotypers Federation.

Electrotyping was a method developed in 1838, a solution to producing extensive print runs from a vulnerable, or brittle, printing block or plate. The line of the image (in the case of a copper plate), or the mold of the image (in the case of a wood engraving) was coated in conductive graphite, and using electrolysis, a hard copper or zinc plate was grown that recorded the finest detail of the original. The strength allowed publishing houses to use the image for larger runs.

Provenance: The Golden Cockerel Press. The private collection of David Chambers.

Only copper plate available. Printed image for reference only.