The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-07-06
From the ". Y. Journal Of Commerce
NEW METHOD OF ENGRAVING


The New York Observer of the present
week coptains "a map (of Connecticut which
is the first fruits of new method of engrav-
ing, invented by the editor, SIDNEY E.
Morse, Esq. We Of course do not under
stand the nature Of the Invention, but, in COM
mon with Others we can see lis effects, and
we also know the rapidty Of the process by
which the work is performed We do not hesi-
tate TO express our belief that it will revolu-
tonize the business of engraving in several
of its branches and particularly in that Of
map making. The map of Connecticut above
referred 10 is done in a style quite superior
to that of common wood engraving yet il by
no means reaches the full powers Of the new
art One great advantage which Geography
uor SO Mr.. Morse has named his invention)
possesses over wood engraving is, its enabling
the artist TO insert as many names, roads, Sc
as can be done by copperpla,e engraving; as
many. in short, as there is room for on the
map. Necessity was The mother of this in
venlion, as of. many others Mr.. Morse was
engaged in preparing maps to accompany his
Observer, The rest Of the story is told $50
far as he sees fit to tell it at present ins the
following paragraphs, copied from the mum
Der OF that paper for the present week
From the nature Of wood-cut engraving
we We're under tire necessity of emitting
roads, names of towns, and other inlorma-
ton, to. such an extent that wheH we COM
pared them With the copperplate maps from
which we copied, they lost in our eyes nearly
all value. In rejecting on the matter, we :.
became satisfied that a new mode OF engrav-
ing was practicable, by which map plates
could be easily made containing all the inlor-
nation on the copperplate, maps, and yet
printed in connexion with type, under the
letter press. Accordingly, we commenced
our experiments, and persevered until they
we're crowned with complete success. The
map of Connecticut which we give on our
last page, is from plate obtained by the new
method Woodcut engravers, or persons
conversant with their art, will see at once
that the information on this map could not be
given in relief on wood, except at an expense
which must deter any one from attempting 1t.
By the new method it is very rapidly done.
" rs the inventor Of new art, we shall
be allowed, we suppose, the privilege of CIV
ing il name We accordingly name it Ce-
rographY. In n few weeks we hope to he
able to prepare specimen sheet, which will
show that, for maps, music, and some other
kinds of engraving, Geography, with proper
attention to the press work. is capable OF fur
nishng prints that will make very near APP
proach in beauty to those from copperplates.
ri this can be done, the superior facility oil the
engraving, the durability Of the plate, and the
rapidily Of the printing, will give it great adj
vantages. We need no, inform persons ac-
quainted with newspaper printing under
Napier press, that we do not refer TO the map
in this paper as a specimen Of any thing but
the amoun, of information which can be given
by the new art. No judgment can be formed
by it Of the delicacy or beauty Of which the
style is susceptible"
1t will be found, if we mistake moi, that Mr..
Morse is very moderate in his estimation OF
the advantages of his invention As ne re-
marks, Geography can execute drawing or
map in style but little inferior to coPPerpia'e
engraving, and at comparatively small ex-
pense. Then. instead Of GOO copies day,
which is the utmost that can be taken OIL from
. connar,I,,e the new method renders II prac-
,icabIe 10 print many thousands in day--as
many thousands, in fact, as can be turned OH
nv . Napier press, of whatever power.
So far as we understand the new art, it is
purely original in all that renders it Of any
value. II any think otherwise, they will
have an opportunity, before the modus eope-
randi is announced 10 the public, to show
whether they can accomplish the same results
by their entertainments. ...