Customer Reviews

Ready-to-Use Old-Fashioned Nautical Illustrations (Dover Clip-Art Series)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nautical illustrations accesses a treasure trove of 19th Century engravers art. What few people realise is the wonderful artistry of the wood and metal engravers of the 19th Century. Each illustration was rendered by hand on the end grain of wooden blocks, steel or copper. Some of these illustrations were copied over and over by the engraver working 12 hours a day in poorly lite attics far removed for the scene of action. So it is a marvel that they have survived (the original plates/blocks were destroyed over a 100 years ago). Paper impressions on decaying material are a marvel to see reproduced in this form. The book is a 1970's style layout for literally "cut and paste" illustration, this at least gives a good base for photocopy or scanning. The CD is a great resource for the computer designer. I just wish the original artists, the engravers, where not fully recognised. Their skill is truely a lost art.

Not as many pictures to choose from when compared to the thicker, more expensive clip art books Dover has to offer, but will satisfy you if you're looking for some quick graphics of ships and seamen.

This book is just strewn throughout with great nautical illustrations of every kind, from sea creatures to ocean liners to seashells to lighthouses to deep sea divers; just great clip-art of everything nautical for anyone interested in the subject. Because some of the illustrations are small (only about 10% of them) and randomly placed on the pages, almost wedged between other pictures, you have to really take time to scan the pages to notice all the great illustrations. This book is fun and educational as well because many of the illustrations are detailed. I love this book and recommended it.