Not printing plates. But what are they?
Posted by: fatcat on 10 April 2013
I recently bought 3 items, which I was told where printing plates. However, due to the fact there isn't a spot of ink on any of them, they obviously aren't.
I suspect the one with the parrot is Guatemalan. A handful of counties gained independence from Spain on 15th September, Guatemalan being the only one with a parrot for a national emblem, the other two look Japanese.
Does anybody know what they are.
The Japanese plates are 6 " wide, the other about 8".
Posted on: 10 April 2013 by winkyincanada
Posted on: 10 April 2013 by Cbr600
As one of the plates has text reversed, it certinly adds weight to the suggestion of printing plates
Posted on: 10 April 2013 by fatcat
They all have a wooden base.
I used to have a printing set as a kid, ink gets everywhere very quickly. The wood is spotless, I can't imagine it's ever been used to print.
Posted on: 10 April 2013 by BigH47
Maybe for rubbings?
Or perhaps printing with paint which maybe easier to remove than ink.
Posted on: 10 April 2013 by Tony2011
Looks like brass rubbing plates but in wood and available at several turists attractions all over country.
Posted on: 11 April 2013 by fatcat
Yes. Rubbing works.
Tried a couple of sheets of paper, but results weren't very good. Then realised the text was still a mirror image of what it should be.
Posted on: 11 April 2013 by BigH47
We went to Standen National Trust these items look like smaller versions of the blocks that William Morris was using to produce wallpaper. His cut from Pear wood.
Posted on: 11 April 2013 by Blueknowz
They do look like the printing blocks William Morris used for his wallpapers!
Posted on: 12 April 2013 by rodwsmith
I did printmaking at college, and these are definitely print blocks. After use they have to be scrupulously cleaned otherwise the ink dries solid and ruins them for future use. There are solvents capable of cleaning every kind of ink, although it can involve elbow grease too.
Possible, of course, that they were never used in the first place, but I'd be inclined to buy some good ink, roller and art-paper (and white spirit!) and see what the artist intended you too. They look rather beautiful. If you get good at it, that's christmas presents sorted! Maybe having 'your' prints framed for the people you really like. Just remember to clean them well afterwards so that in another few years someone else will be able to do likewise...
Posted on: 12 April 2013 by rodwsmith
That second "too" should be "to", but I can't edit it.
You will obviously need to rig up something as a press, a bench vice and some mdf, or just some bricks...
Posted on: 15 April 2013 by fatcat
BigH/Blueknowz/Rod.
You've convinced me they must be printing blocks.
There's a video on the V&A website showing the printing of William Morris wallpaper. The blocks for printing fine detail look similar in type to my blocks. The technique used in applying the ink also wouldn't result in ink being splashed all over the blocks. Although that's not to say it wouldn't happen if I tried it.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/v...k-printed-wallpaper/
Posted on: 15 April 2013 by fatcat
Originally Posted by rodwsmith:
They look rather beautiful.
I think so too. I picked them up at an auction for £15, I hadn't noticed them during the viewing, but noticed them during the auction, just happened to be standing in the right place. When you think of the skill and time involved in making them, it seem ridiculously cheap.
The Guatemalan block has probably been displayed. The surface has been roughed up with emery cloth to reveal the bright copper surface, I'll have to restore this to it's original smooth finish before printing
Posted on: 15 April 2013 by fatcat
Interesting.
Did I forget to upload the Guatemalan block photo or was it removed?
Posted on: 15 April 2013 by Cbr600
It was there previously, this image was key as it shows the reversed text
Posted on: 15 April 2013 by fatcat
Well spotted. You've obviously got a better memory than I have.
I wonder why it went missing. No note to say the OP has been edited by administration. 
