Ringing History Hub

This is a collection of historic prints relating to ringing, ringers and bells. It is the work of Chris Ridley and is presented here in book format. Less-►

Introduction

Historic prints have been produced using a number of different techniques over the years. Up to the middle of the 19th century all printing was a manual operation using either wood or metal templates to create identical copies of the inscribed image. These were usually monochrome (i.e. black on white paper) although some colour printing did take place by applying each colour separately. In addition, examples of monochrome prints can be found that have subsequently been painted by hand.

Types of Print

Printing is defined as the transfer of ink from a prepared template to a piece of paper or other surface. The ink can be carried on raised surfaces within the template (e.g. relief), groves within the templates (e.g. intaglio) or by the more modern process of capturing the image direct on the flat surface of a template (e.g. planographic or surface). With advances in IT technology the planographic approach can be further subdivided into processes (e.g. screen print) or electronic (e.g. Xerox, laser and inkjet).

The methodology for producing the image on the template can be achieved in a variety of ways. For example, intaglio prints can have the groves engraved directly on the template or etched using acid to burn through a hard grounding that has first been applied. The term line engraving is usually used where a combination of engraving and etching has been used to produce the template, although such an approach can lack the spontaneity of the artist’s etching. The term lithograph refers to the planographic method where the image has been transferred on to the flat template and can be applied by a various methods (e.g. use of a transfer).

Prints often include words below the image which provide further details of how the print was produced and the individual(s) responsible for its production. In addition to the terms explained above the artist responsible for the original image may be given (e.g. del. or drawn by). Where sculp. or fecit is shown this usually refers to the person who engraved the wooden or metal template. Given the need to reverse the image on the template itself the occasional print with a letter reversed can be found in some examples. Finally in some examples the date and place of production may be given.

Prints can be produced as single sheets in their own right in which case they are commonly referred to as broadsheets. Alternatively they can appear as illustrations in books or periodicals with the page containing the print having been removed.

Scope of material

This reference source is primarily about bells and the art of ringing rather than the buildings in which bells are hung. Where prints of venues are shown these are primarily used to support the main body of prints and help put them into perspective. A few prints have occasionally been repeated where they are relevant to more than one themed chapter.