{"product_id":"edwardian-copper-letterpress-name-plate-fredk-r-gower-smith-c-1880-1920-prop","title":"Antique Edwardian Copper Letterpress Engraving Plate \"Fredk R. Gower-Smith\" c.1880-1920 - Used","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUsed \/ Pre-owned (antique) — condition as shown in images. Please refer to all photos carefully before purchasing.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA genuine antique \u003cstrong\u003ecopper letterpress \/ intaglio engraving plate\u003c\/strong\u003e dating to the late Victorian or Edwardian period (c.1880–1920). The plate bears the name \u003cstrong\u003e“FREDK R. GOWER-SMITH.”\u003c\/strong\u003e engraved in reverse (mirror image) in an ornate serif typeface — as was standard for letterpress and intaglio printing, so the name prints correctly when the plate is pressed onto paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt approximately business card \/ visiting card size (8.2cm × 4.5cm), this is almost certainly a \u003cstrong\u003epersonal calling card printing plate\u003c\/strong\u003e — used by a printer to produce the visiting cards of one “Frederick R. Gower-Smith”. “Fredk” is the period abbreviation for Frederick, common in Victorian and Edwardian formal usage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItem details (photo-verified):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Copper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Letterpress \/ intaglio engraving plate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eText:\u003c\/strong\u003e FREDK R. GOWER-SMITH. (engraved in reverse on plate face)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFont:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ornate Victorian\/Edwardian serif typeface with decorative letterforms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 8.2cm × 4.5cm (length × width)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e c.1880–1920 (late Victorian \/ Edwardian)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e British\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition (photo-verified — please read carefully):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsed \/ antique — age consistent with c.1880–1920 dating\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEngraved face (front):\u003c\/strong\u003e Intact and fully legible; light surface scratches and age-related marks consistent with use; engraving crisp and clear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReverse face (back):\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavy age patina, oxidation, and dark spotting across the surface — entirely consistent with genuine age of 100+ years; some lifting\/peeling at the top-left corner of the reverse\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlate is flat and structurally intact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal for:\u003c\/strong\u003e antique collectors, printing history enthusiasts, typographers, letterpress collectors, Victorian and Edwardian ephemera collectors, genealogists (the Gower-Smith name may be of interest to family historians), interior display, or as a film\/theatre prop. A rare and characterful piece of British social and printing history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat’s included:\u003c\/strong\u003e Copper plate only, as shown in images.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovered Riches","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54738926043475,"sku":"Box a6 in small clear bag","price":13.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1054\/5692\/7059\/files\/f8810605-84e5-4007-b3a8-d56531b4719f.jpg?v=1787759200","url":"https:\/\/recoveredriches.co.uk\/products\/edwardian-copper-letterpress-name-plate-fredk-r-gower-smith-c-1880-1920-prop","provider":"Recovered Riches","version":"1.0","type":"link"}