Notes About the Collection

This is the first time such an extensive collection of important papers from the A.L. Diament & Co. archives has been made available to the public.

All of the papers offered from this extraordinary collection have never been previously hung. They are as they were received from the manufacturer; many in perfect mint condition, others in varying condition having suffered the indignities of tears, creases and mildew from being safely hidden away during the wars in Europe.

Many of these papers are the last and only examples of their kind; some the only complete sets remaining in the world today. All of these papers are hand, woodblock printed, except where noted as hand, screen printed.

Woodblock Printing Notes

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The Woodblock The woodblock is made up of several thicknesses of wood, the top layer on which the design is carved is made of pearwood for its tight grain, making it hard and stable. The Color Tub The tub is about 30 in. by 36 in. to accommodate a large woodblock and covered with a felt color pad. Registering the Block Picots are brass pins attached to the edges of the woodblock to ensure exact registration during printing. As many as 1500 woodblocks might be required to print a large scenic, each strip requiring its own series of blocks.

Printing The woodblock is lowered by hand, often with the aid of a pulley, onto the felt color pad, then onto the strip of paper where it is pressed to make the color spread out evenly. Some papers take as many as two years to complete. Color Sequence The first colors to be printed are those covering the largest areas, printing from dark to light, then finally detail, resulting in many layers of color. Shaded Background A hallmark of many papers is the shaded blue sky background. Color is brushed on by hand before any scene is printed.