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 CHATS ON OLD PRINTS

CHAPTER I

HOW TO COLLECT

How to identify the various classes of engraving—Reasons for collecting—How the eye may be trained—What to collect—Forgeries—Where to collect—A few hints as to prices.

The first step is a step backwards, and the beginner must leave the illustrated books and magazines of to-day and turn to the illustrated volumes of the eighteenth and early nineteenth century for copper engraving and steel engraving, and to the early numbers of the Illustrated London News, the Graphic, or some of the old magazines prior to 1870—Cornhill, Good Words, Once a Week, or Punch—for wood engraving. It is here that he will find examples of engraving to educate his eye which has grown accustomed to modern process work. For the present purpose we shall not deal with the quality of the engraving. By the aid of the illustra