Title

English and Colonial wood engravers [Artist replies to 'X' regarding mechanical objections.]

Author

Artist

Source

Arena (Melbourne).

Details

15 January 1870, page 6, column 2.

Publication date

15 January 1870

Type

News

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

ENGLISH AND COLONIAL WOOD ENGRAVERS.

TO THE EDITOR Of THE ARGUS.

Sir, - "X" having admitted the ability of our colonial artists and wood engravers, it only remains for me to reply to his " mechanical objections," and with your permission I will do so seriatim.
Firstly. " That no such block of wood (38 x l8) could havo been bought or prepared in Melbourne." I find it necessary to inform "X, " that a large block of wood like the one in question is composed of a number of smaller ones screwed together, and that blocks have and can be bolted in this colony, by colonial carpenters, to any extent, even to 10ft. square.

Secondly. "That paper would require to be specially manufactured before the engraving could be printed." I have made inquiries this morning, and I find that paper of the requisite size, and of capital quality, is already in tho colony.

Thirdly. "That such an immense block could not have been printed from at all, because the Melbourne printers cannot possibly have the same resources in machinery as their brethren in London." Messrs. Mason and Firth have two machines in working order, both capable of printing a much larger block than the one under discussion, and they are prepared to produce, despite the difficulties of climate, impressions equal to the imported specimens.

If " X." still doubts my statements, let him give me an order tor a block the samo size as the Ballarat one - the subject, say, a view of Melbourne - and I will guarantee to produce it within six months, with purely colonial workmanship, and it shall be in no way inferior to the London productions.

I enclose my card, and shall be happy to meet "X" and discuss the question with him in all its bearings. I am. Sir, yours. &c.

Jan 14. ARTIST.

[Argus (Melbourne), 15 January 1870, p.6, col.2.]