This vintage photogravure plate is guaranteed to be authentic and comes with a hand signed CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) with unique individual registered serial number from the Finephoto Vintage Archive & Database. Under magnification this plate shows a tight "honeycomb" cell structure, uniform pressing of ink and a wide range of tone - all indicative of a high quality sheet fed gravure print. The watermark word "Finephoto" does not appear on the actual print.
READY FOR FRAMING & DISPLAY! - The expensive engraved copper plate photogravure process and the resulting fine prints make vintage photogravures highly collectible and excellent vintage prints for framing. Your vintage print will arrive ready to be placed directly into a standard size frame.
MUSEUM QUALITY PACKING & SHIPPING! - All vintage prints are expertly packed and shipped by USPS First Class Mail with Delivery Confirmation and Insurance. Secure archival packaging includes water/tear resistant carrier, custom made 275 lb. triple wall inserts, individual acid free black archival backing boards, individual ultra clear heavy duty archival print protectors and a hand signed Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) from Finephoto.
ABOUT PHOTOGRAVURE: Photogravure (or heliogravure) is an intaglio print making process utilizing a carefully etched copper plate made from the original negative/image. Prints are made by pressing suitable paper heavily down upon the inked copper plate which has been intricately etched to varying depths corresponding with the actual tonality of the original negative, This precisely etched plate combined with a fine "honeycomb" screen controls the amount of ink to be transferred to the paper at any given point in direct proportion to the variation of tone in the original image. The result is a true continuous tone print which combines many qualities of a traditional silver based photograph with a tactile feel similar to an etching, engraving or lithograph. Rich in tonal detail, the photogravure process produces delicately rendered shades for a look which is unique in the world of photographic print making. In the early to mid 1900's photogravure was selected (when budgets allowed) for special high quality publishing and portfolio projects, but due to it's significant expense and labor, the process is rarely seen today. From Man Ray and Ruth Bernhard to Brett Weston and Ansel Adams, many of the world's most renowned photographic masters have published their images in the rich photogravure process.
