Sculp. Excud. Imp. Del. If you’re not familiar with terms you often come across on antique engravings, etchings, illustrations, lithographs, etc, trying to fathom them can be very confusing. It is like a second language to us, but we still keep a laminated copy of the table below in our sourcing bag.
Not being the types to not to spread the knowledge, we thought it might be useful to publish a glossary of terms.
|
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
|
A.P.: |
Artist's proof |
|
B.A.T., Bon á tirer: |
Proof print approved by artist and ready to be handled over to the master printer |
|
Cael., caelavit: |
Engraved by |
|
Cum privilegio: |
Privilege to publish from some authority |
|
Del., delt., delin., delineavit: |
Drawn by |
|
Disig., designavit: |
Designed by |
|
Divulg., divulgavit: |
Published by |
|
Eng., engd.: |
Engraved by |
|
Exc., excud., excudit: |
Printed by or published by |
|
F., fac., fec., fect., fecit, faciebat: |
Made by |
|
H.C., Hors Commerce: |
Not for commercial sale |
|
Imp., Impressit: |
Printed by |
|
Inc,. incidit, incidebat: |
Incised or engraved by |
|
Inv., invenit, inventor: |
Designed by or originally drawn by |
|
Lith., litho., lithog.: |
Lithographed by |
|
Pins., pinxit: |
Painted by |
|
Scrip., scripsit: |
Text engraved by |
|
Sc., sculp., sculpt., sculpsit: |
Image engraved by |
