In the early days of creating usable printer’s blocks (cuts), they were hand carved out of solid boxwood (hardwood). A very talented engraver would sketch the pattern on the block and then precisely carve the wood to create the raised image. For Intaglio printing, the engraver would use the same process except the image would be recessed into the block. These carvings were so precise that the same graphic was then used to create new cuts in different mediums.


Shown above is an antique hand-carved woodtype block and an electrotype copper plated block using the same graphic. These two blocks were manufactured in different eras. The copper face cut was made in the late 19th century by Golding & Co. It was created using an etching process on the surface metal. Then the face would be electroplated with a thin layer of copper. The copper face is then mounted to a solid wood block to make the finished product “type-high” (.918 inch tall). Virtually always mounted with nails to the solid wood base. Some electros were designed for very heavy use and are made of solid type metal with an electroplated copper surface. Common for newspaper production work, where the type and cuts really took a beating daily, especially in the 19th century.

Regardless of the method used to manufacture the block, this same graphic could be used for decades or even centuries. There are even modern day reproductions made. However the quality of the blocks makes it evident that it is a reproduction.