<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This paper provides a comprehensive description of preserved copper plates used for map printing in order to enrich the existing knowledge and, at the same time, contribute with new knowledge on the topic of the engraving of old maps. The dimensions, thickness, and weight of individual printing plates were measured. Qualitative indicators of the material were also examined. Printing plates originating from countries north of the Alps (former Czech lands) and from Mediterranean regions (Malta and Italy) are represented. For the purpose of the study, the term printing plate refers to a copperplate on which the engraving was made using the burin or line etching technique. These are some of the oldest reproduction techniques used for printing old maps. The period studied covers the 18th century, approximately. Studies dealing with a large set of printing plates and their classification are rather an exception (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="j_mgrsd-2023-0028_ref_014">Hameleers 1989</xref>). The issue of the qualitative properties of printing plates has not yet been comprehensively addressed in the literature focusing on the history of cartography.</p>
</abstract>

This paper provides a comprehensive description of preserved copper plates used for map printing in order to enrich the existing knowledge and, at the same time, contribute with new knowledge on the topic of the engraving of old maps. The dimensions, thickness, and weight of individual printing plates were measured. Qualitative indicators of the material were also examined. Printing plates originating from countries north of the Alps (former Czech lands) and from Mediterranean regions (Malta and Italy) are represented. For the purpose of the study, the term printing plate refers to a copperplate on which the engraving was made using the burin or line etching technique. These are some of the oldest reproduction techniques used for printing old maps. The period studied covers the 18th century, approximately. Studies dealing with a large set of printing plates and their classification are rather an exception (Hameleers 1989). The issue of the qualitative properties of printing plates has not yet been comprehensively addressed in the literature focusing on the history of cartography.

<bold>Cartographic analysis of two centuries</bold> of map printing using copperplates – examples from the Czech Republic and Malta collections

Department of Geography, Faculty of Science

Masaryk University: Masarykova Univerzita

Miscellanea Geographica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

 of map printing using copperplates – examples from the Czech Republic and Malta collections

This paper provides a comprehensive description of preserved copper plates used for map printing in order to enrich the existing knowledge and, at the same...

Cartographic analysis of two centuries of map printing using copperplates – examples from the Czech Republic and Malta collections

Published Online: May 12, 2024

Page range: 66 - 79

Received: Nov 04, 2023

Accepted: Feb 05, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/mgrsd-2023-0028

Keywords
Copperplates, map printing, engraving, Czech Republic, Malta, Johann Christoph Müller

© 2024 Josef Chrást et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Cartographic analysis of two centuries of map printing using copperplates – examples from the Czech Republic and Malta collections

Published Online: May 12, 2024

Page range: 66 - 79

Received: Nov 04, 2023

Accepted: Feb 05, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/mgrsd-2023-0028

KeywordsCopperplates, map printing, engraving, Czech Republic, Malta, Johann Christoph Müller

© 2024 Josef Chrást et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Copperplates, map printing, engraving, Czech Republic, Malta, Johann Christoph Müller