Unique question

[xavier ([e-mail])]

Hello
I'm an artist who grew up with an admiration of the intricate engraving and typography of the Victorian period on billheads, letterhead, trade cards, etc. I have a few I've accumulated but I'm not really a 'collector' and couldn't afford to be -- but I've developed an interest in reviving some of the craftsmanship and style of those amazing engravers, and I'm looking for ways I can accumulate high-resolution IMAGES of such work for my files for inspiration. Something like being able to borrow or rent pieces so I can scan them into my computer and create a library of them to admire and use to inform my work. I can't afford to go around buying more than a few of them and I don't want to have to store them or deprive true collectors of their ownership anyway. Does anyone have any ideas on how I could go about doing this?

[ExileBibliophile]

One thing you can do is search images at the Library of Congress. They often have archival scans of works available, and one can use them for all kinds of projects.

[xavier ([e-mail])]

Thanks, ExileBibliophile. Much appreciated.
X

ExileBibliophile said:

One thing you can do is search images at the Library of Congress. They often have archival scans of works available, and one can use them for all kinds of projects.

[Martin]

HI,

It may be of some interest to you that I am a collector of British Billheads only (I live in England). There appears to be very little interchange between the 2 groups and therefore (bearing in mind the engraving process) this suggests that all the images I hold would be new to you. It occurs to me that there may be noteworthy differences in the engravers technique, subject matter and style.

In terms of heavily illustrated billheads, the English market sees relatively few Victorian (1837 - 1901). There are far more from the period 1900 to the Great War. Many firms continued with the tradition up to the 2nd World War. After this some firms continued with illustrations but used more modern graphic and printing methods. British billheads of this era will also carry a revenue stamp (stuck on or embossed) if the transaction has been validated.

I would be pleased to supply some examples to investigate my theory. It would be simple to mail you a few scans but I have only a standard commercial scanner (Max scanning colour depth: 48-bit. Max B&W scanning resolution 1200 x 600 dpi) which.I suspect is too low for your needs.

In any event I would be pleased to hear your views and see some of your work. Do you have a website?

Regards, Martin

[xavier ([e-mail])]

Hello Martin
Thanks for the note. Actually the resolution of your scanner (at 100% size or larger) is sufficient for my needs; I'd appreciate any scans you were willing to send me and I would be willing to reasonably compensate you for your effort. I would quite like to see what you have in your collection, as I'm truly enamored with the style and craftsmanship of the period (especially the ornate typography and filigree). That the artists could not only envision such detailed beauty, but also engrave it onto wood or metal for printing, represents a range of abilities virtually unparalleled in the field these days.

I don't yet have a site for my fine artwork (I'm embarrassed to admit), but I am also a designer and I have a portfolio site for that: www.sasville.com (Not much there yet in the retro-quasi-engraved style but a few of my logo designs are so influenced, at least to the point my clients have let me).

Brian X Sasville
[e-mail]

***

Martin Pether said:

HI,

It may be of some interest to you that I am a collector of British Billheads only (I live in England). There appears to be very little interchange between the 2 groups and therefore (bearing in mind the engraving process) this suggests that all the images I hold would be new to you. It occurs to me that there may be noteworthy differences in the engravers technique, subject matter and style.

In terms of heavily illustrated billheads, the English market sees relatively few Victorian (1837 - 1901). There are far more from the period 1900 to the Great War. Many firms continued with the tradition up to the 2nd World War. After this some firms continued with illustrations but used more modern graphic and printing methods. British billheads of this era will also carry a revenue stamp (stuck on or embossed) if the transaction has been validated.

I would be pleased to supply some examples to investigate my theory. It would be simple to mail you a few scans but I have only a standard commercial scanner (Max scanning colour depth: 48-bit. Max B&W scanning resolution 1200 x 600 dpi) which.I suspect is too low for your needs.

In any event I would be pleased to hear your views and see some of your work. Do you have a website?

Regards, Martin

[Gary Roberts]

Hop over to my primary website http://toolemera.com and look at the Manufacturers and Merchants section. There are numerous billheads and letterheads scattered throughout that section. If you come across something of interest, I'ld be happy to make copies of the original scans for you. All are scanned in TIFF, most in color, at 300 dpi or greater for the master copies.,

Gary

[xavier ([e-mail])]

Thanks, Gary. I'll check it out!
BXS

Gary Roberts said:

Hop over to my primary website http://toolemera.com and look at the Manufacturers and Merchants section. There are numerous billheads and letterheads scattered throughout that section. If you come across something of interest, I'ld be happy to make copies of the original scans for you. All are scanned in TIFF, most in color, at 300 dpi or greater for the master copies.,

Gary