https://goscf.com/t/9106&whichpage=108#267792Following on lithograving on Canada Scott#554/555;
Lithograving's Question posed: May I ask the source ?
Answer: Straight from the Horse's mouth - Don himself!
Lithograving: "Actually this 1971 Christmas issue always puzzled me as to the way it was printed".
Comments from Canadian: That was the very same intrigue that prompted my research; traditionally, the engraved parts on a die that would eventually hold ink and print (also from a printing plate) is either cut or etched on the die itself; #554 struck at me as if the
engraver would have spent months to painstakingly cut away portions or etch the die, resulting very narrow green diamonds and triangles and lines that define the snow flake. That to me was a puzzle. I thought there was the old method of pantograph where a larger model in zinc was used and the reduction was then done on the die. Then in that case, the coating on the die would have to be carefully cleared of the portions to print the green. I wanted to find such an
engraver to shake hands with him and tell him 'you are the best', because to do such a task was Herculean.
When I spoke with Don, he said "I should not think of old methods, but think NEW; 'Traditional
Engraver' was on the way out; this stamp was an ace of an experiment; from this stamp onwards, etching was to become a standard, a mechanical process which posed no challenges; and thus boring".
He went on to explain to me the process and then I realized how little I knew! notwithstanding this fact, I did congratulate him for the work he had done.
About 10c and 15c (Canada Scott# 556/557), that topic is still open and research continues.
Canadian
PS: This Forum, I must admit amazes and educates me all the time; the wealth of information is priceless; Thanks to all posters and I in turn must give back something.
C
Posted 02/23/2013 11:47 pm
