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Print

ca. 1945-1970 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

S. Slinger & Co. began business in the 1890s primarily as a manufacturer of rubber stamps. After World War II the company was joined by two wood-engravers, Arthur Platt and Frank Moyes, who engraved signatures and trade devices for rubber stamps and illustrations for trade catalogues. The Slinger business carried on until about 1970. Amongst their customers were furniture manufacturers Lloyd Loom (see E.629-1994), surgical instrument manufacturers Allen and Hanbury, Bush Radio and Television (see E.623-8-1994) and hardware and tool retailer Herbert K. Staub (see E.644-1994). These blocks were electrotyped so there was therefore no need to rout out their backgrounds.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Engraving on wood
Brief description
Wood-engraved block, microscope, produced by S. Slinger Ltd. for a manufacturer; British, ca. 1945-1970.
Physical description
Wood-engraved block showing a microscope.
Dimensions
  • Irregular height: 11.9cm
  • Irregular width: 9.5cm
Gallery label
(1994)
[Draft?] S. Slinger & Co. began business in the 1890s primarily as a manufacturer of rubber stamps but after World War II was joined by two wood-engravers, Arthur Platt and Frank Moyes, who engraved signatures and trade devices for rubber stamps, and illustrations for trade catalogues. Their business carried on until ca.1970. Amongst their customers were Lloyd Loom (furniture manufacturers; see E.629-1994), Allen and Hanbury (surgical instrument manufacturers), Bush Radio and Television (see E.623-8-1994) and Herbert K. Staub (hardware and tool retailer; see E.644-1994). These blocks were electrotyped; there was therefore no need to route out their backgrounds.
SLINGER & CO
Wood engraved blocks for various manufacturers. c. 1945-1970
E.623-638-1994

Mr Slinger began business in the 1890s primarily as a manufacturer
of rubber stamps but after World War II was joined by two wood
engravers, Arthur Platt and Frank Moyes, who engraved signatures
and trade devices for rubber stamps, and did 'catalogue' work. Their
business carried on until c.1970. Amongst their customers were
Lloyd Loom (chair manufacturers), Allen and Hanbury (surgical
instruments), Bush Radio and Television and Herbert K. Staub
(hardware and tool retailer). Michael Renton, who was an apprentice
there in the '50s, has described their use of photographic transfer or
freehand engraving, use of tint and multiple tools and the ruling
machine. Their only post-war competitor was Frampton & Co in
Clerkenwell Road, who only went out of business in 1983. Suppliers
of scientific and precision equipment (such as electrical equipment
and tools) and the jewellery trade were the main users of wood
engraving in the 20th century.
Object history
Acquired in connection with the display A Fine Line - Commercial Wood Engraving in Britain, V&A, 10 October 1994 - 26 March 1995 from E.S. Slinger, manufacturer's son.
Subject depicted
Summary
S. Slinger & Co. began business in the 1890s primarily as a manufacturer of rubber stamps. After World War II the company was joined by two wood-engravers, Arthur Platt and Frank Moyes, who engraved signatures and trade devices for rubber stamps and illustrations for trade catalogues. The Slinger business carried on until about 1970. Amongst their customers were furniture manufacturers Lloyd Loom (see E.629-1994), surgical instrument manufacturers Allen and Hanbury, Bush Radio and Television (see E.623-8-1994) and hardware and tool retailer Herbert K. Staub (see E.644-1994). These blocks were electrotyped so there was therefore no need to rout out their backgrounds.
Associated object
E.637:1-1994 (Reproduction)
Collection
Accession number
E.637-1994

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Record createdDecember 16, 2008
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