Posted by Dan from Syracuse on March 21, 1998 at 00:31:20:
In Reply to: recarved woodblocks posted by Greg Y. on March 14, 1998 at 13:05:37:
Although a "new" block was carved using the impression from the old block as a model, there are of course slight differences in line quality that can be noticed. I've seen some very good examples of Hokusai's surimono and e-hon comparing original versions to Meiji reprints that clarify these differences. Of course the original version is more valuable, though recarved blocks can be interesting in their own right. The problem with early prints is that it's difficult to tell what is original and what reworked. Surviving copies are few, and blocks were pirated, recarved and replugged, so many times that unravelling their geneology is a messy business.
Artistically-speaking, I'd take a fresh impression from a recarved block over a blotchy one from a worn but original block any day of the week.
: I was wondering about woodblocks after they are worn
: out and "new" blocks are recarved. Wouldn't the "new" or "recarved" block be differen't from the original? I assume that although it takes a skilled artisan to copy a block, the original couldn't be exactly the same as the redo, can it?
: Also if that is true is there a difference in there value?