The history of printing block materials

[capn]

Hi guys.

I was wondering if anyone knew the dates where different materials started and stopped with printing blocks?
I know they were initially wood. Did they go to copper and then lead? If so, in which years did these transitions take place?

I appreciate any knowledge on this. Thanks!

[bigwull]

I doubt if they ever went with lead...its way too soft,and malleable

[mart]

Can you not find a history on it

[Rauville]

Bottom half of this page talks about materials, and when used somewhat...
http://www.damoselsprintersblocks.com/history.html

[capn]

Can you not find a history on it

I can find plenty of history on the printing press...but not materials used for blocks...which is why I asked here.

If you know I'd love to hear the dates each material transitioned because I still can't find it.
Thanks!

[capn]

I doubt if they ever went with lead...its way too soft,and malleable

Any printing type I have ever seen has been lead (and anything older is wood). I have also seen many mounted printing blocks that are lead.

[mart]

You are pretty much asking the impossible !!  If you just want the history as it was used here in North America you would have to follow each method and person who used it back to its inception, then put all together in a timeline !! The changes would be very erratic and difficult to follow !!  Few of us have that kind of time available !!! Sorry !!

[Rauville]

I doubt if they ever went with lead...its way too soft,and malleable

Any printing type I have ever seen has been lead (and anything older is wood). I have also seen many mounted printing blocks that are lead.

Actually, wooden type was available well into the later half of the 20th Century.
Here's a timeline showing the various makers over the years.

http://woodtype.org/repository/1/96/hamilton_timeline.gif

[capn]

OK, I guess what I'm asking is if I have a copper printing block...roughly how old is it? Or is that impossible to say?

Just want to be able to somewhat date this if I see them...that's all.

Thanks!

[bigwull]

I doubt if they ever went with lead...its way too soft,and malleable

Any printing type I have ever seen has been lead (and anything older is wood). I have also seen many mounted printing blocks that are lead.

Ah,well,....just goes to show..what i know about printing blocks....Now if it had been about Lego...Blocks...... well, don,t know much about them either.... .

Actually, wooden type was available well into the later half of the 20th Century.
Here's a timeline showing the various makers over the years.

http://woodtype.org/repository/1/96/hamilton_timeline.gif

[mart]

Actually that is much easier to research !!