Text in copperplate

[Edward Ripley-Duggan <erd@ulster.net>]

I cannot answer Mr. Smeltzer's question regarding references to this matter 
in the literature (I am unaware of any) but I would say that there is no 
substantial economic advantage to copperplate over type in the matter of 
paper, as he surmises. The principal advantage, at least potentially, would 
be that the use of copper plates would avoid type being held in forme 
between printings (or if redistributed, reset for new editions). However, 
absent any information on the economics of seventeenth century engraving -- 
how much per plate would a publisher have to pay the engraver, and how does 
that compare to setting the same page in type? -- this is a difficult, if 
interesting question. My guess, and it is no more than that, is that 
copperplate engraving might well have proven _more_ expensive than setting 
the same text in type (all printers set type -- only a few know how to 
print from copper, and they undoubtedly charged a premium), and that the 
advantage is substantially aesthetic, as, for example, in the Moreau books 
of hours or Pine's work.


> Does anyone know of references on the subject of books printed in
> copperplate instead of letterpress? I have only been able to find a
> short discussion of the topic in a paper in "Arts et Metiers Graphiques
> Paris" no. 24, July 1931.
> Generally, book historians emphasize the visual appeal of such books.
> However, perhaps text in copperplate should be considered as a
> printing-on-demand scheme, not requiring the printer to make a large
> initial investment in paper or carry a large inventory of printed
> sheets, but rather just storing the copperplates for occasional print
> runs.
> Sincerely,
> Ronald K. Smeltzer
> rsmeltzer@sarnoff.com
                          Reply to: erd@ulster.net
                       WILSEY RARE BOOKS, MEMBER ABAA
                            http://www.wilsey.net
                 Phone: (914) 657-7057      Fax: (914) 657-2366