Steel engraving

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Steel engraving is a technique for printing illustrations based on steel instead of copper. It has been rarely used in artistic printmaking, although it was much used for reproductions in the 19th century. Steel engraving was introduced in 1792 by Jacob Perkins (1766–1849), an American inventor, for banknote printing. When Perkins moved to London in 1818, the technique was adapted in 1820 by Charles Warren and especially by Charles Heath (1785–1848) for Thomas Campbell's Pleasures of Hope, which contained the first published plates engraved on steel.[1] The new technique only partially replaced the other commercial techniques of that time such as wood engraving, copper engraving and later lithography.

Landing of Columbus, engraved by the BEP based on Vanderlyn's 1847 painting. This vignette was used as the back of the Series 1875 $5 National Bank Note.
  1. ^ Charles Heath, walterscott.lib.ed.ac.uk