Why are there sometimes two artist names engraved?
Why are there sometimes two names engraved under the image? What its the meaning of 'sc.', 'inv.', 'f.' next to those names ?
Bookplate by J. Duff, 18th century Irish engraver.
Some techniques, such as the copper and the steel engraving, are requiring so much specialized craftsmanship and equipment, that the artist often outsourced the engraving itself to a professional engraver and the printing to a specialized printer. This happened until about the 1st quarter of the 20th century. Therefore one can find sometimes 2 names at the bottom edge of a plate. The artist's name usually is located at the left, mostly followed by 'inv.' which is an abbreviation for the Latin 'invenit' (invented) or by 'f.' for 'fecit' (has made). At the right side is the name of the engraver, followed by 'sc.' or 'sculp.', an abbreviation of the Latin 'sculpsit' that means 'engraved'.
Bookplate with names of designer and engraver.
Although this was very common for 18th and 19th century illustrations, it was not for bookplates. Bookplates with both the names of the designer and the printer are rather hard to find. Here alongside is one of those rare examples, a bookplate designed by Sara B. Hill and engraved in a steel plate by Frederick Spenceley in 1921.
On old original illustrations or old prints you can find also 'f.' or 'fec.' for the Latin verb 'fecit' (= has made). This could suggest that the author made the drawing, etched or engraved the plate himself and maybe also printed it.
Etching drawn and made by Pieter Nolpe, famous Dutch graphic artist (1613 or 1614 - 1652 or 1653).