A HISTORY OF WOOD-ENGRAVING

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by

H A R P E R   &   B R O T H E R S,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

All rights reserved.

PREFACE.

IN this book I have attempted to gather and arrange such facts as shouldbe known to men of cultivation interested in the art of engraving inwood. I have, therefore, disregarded such matter as seems to belongrather to descriptive bibliography, and have treated wood-engraving, inits principal works, as a reflection of the life of men and anillustration of successive phases of civilization. Where there is muchdisputed ground, particularly in the early history of the art, thewriters on whom I have relied are referred to, and those who adopt adifferent view are named; but where the facts seemed plain, and areeasily verifiable, reference did not appear necessary.

In conclusion, I have the honor to acknowledge my obligations to theofficers of the Boston Public Library, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts,and the Harvard College Library, for permission to reproduce severalcuts in their possession; and to Mr. Lindsay Swift, of the Boston PublicLibrary, for the list of authorities at the end of the volume.Especially it is my pleasant duty to thank Professor Charles EliotNorton, of Harvard University, from whose curious and valuablecollection more than half of these illustrations are derived, both forthem and for suggestion, advice, and criticism, without which, indeed,the work could not have been written.

GEORGE EDWARD WOODBERRY.

CONTENTS.