The Print Collectors Handbook
By Alfred Whitman
Published by George Bell & Sons: London 1902 2nd Edition
Profusely Illustrated - Multiple Newspaper Clipping Reference Inclusions
"This authoritative volume, The Print-Collector's Handbook, is a foundational early twentieth-century guide to the appreciation, identification, and collecting of engraved prints, written by Alfred Whitman of the Department of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum. First published in 1901 and here offered in the revised second edition of 1902, the book was designed to answer the practical questions most frequently faced by both novice and experienced collectors, at a time when print collecting was rapidly expanding beyond specialist circles. Whitman writes with clarity and authority, combining curatorial expertise with an accessible, instructional tone.
The handbook explores the history and techniques of engraving, etching, mezzotint, and related processes, while also addressing key collecting concerns such as states, proofs, reprints, attribution, condition, and market value. Profusely illustrated throughout, the volume includes numerous examples reproduced by collotype and halftone, allowing readers to study stylistic differences and technical details with precision. The text is further enriched by the presence of contemporary newspaper clippings and reference notes laid in, offering insight into early twentieth-century auction practices, market commentary, and the evolving discourse around old master and British prints.
As a practical manual and historical document, this work occupies an important place in the literature of print collecting and connoisseurship. It will particularly appeal to collectors of prints and engravings, students of art history and museum studies, and readers interested in the development of the art market and collecting culture at the turn of the twentieth century."
Light wear and fading to covers and spine. Pages are age toned with all illustrations present. Binding very good. I noticed one plate sits loose. A nice copy with fascinating news clippings in very good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
