We show here some pages from our private collection,
being aware that original copies are difficult to find:
plates from Diderot et d'Alembert Encyclpedie (1751-1772),dedicated
to printmaking and etching, with part of the associated
text (in the original old French), the structure of a
printing press with explanation.
We left the original structure of the page, two coloumns,
sostituting only the modern "s".
Also samples from original typographic text are provided.
It is to appreciate this first modern publication,
describing techniques dated 1750.
With specific regard to etching, the technique is
unchanged, while we have the advantage to find and buy
ready materials, such as zinc plates, polished and
with an even and smooth surface, acid bottles,
printing inks already prepared, without the need
of grinding and mixing pigments, etc.
Another difference is that while at those times,
a crowd of specialied "workers" was dedicated
to the preparation of illustrations for books,
since Goya etching has become a mean of artistic expression,
where originality and creativity are more important than
pure technique. If a modern artist has also technique
and it is a good printer, so much the better.
You can chose:
In modern times, some partial reprinting was available,
for example the Italian series published by
Gabriele Mazzotta in 1979, with Italian text, at an accessibli price.
I suggest the reading of
"Gazzetta del bibliofilo"
n. 9, 1984, supplemento fuori commercio di "FMR" n. 24
giugno 1984, a cura di Franco Maria Ricci, articolo
"Diderot et l'Encyclopédie" di Jorge Luis Borges,
tiratura 40.000 copie.
FMR did also publish in 1970/80 a complete edition of
18 volumes in-folio
from the Paris original, in 3.000 numbered copies
with 12 volumes, facsimile reproductions of original plates,
price 5.400.000 lire at that time.
