A gravure is a photomechanical intaglio process print, developed in the mid-19th Century, in which the image is transferred to the printing plate by using a light sensitized gelatin film surface on a metal plate which is then etched. The photogravure c an reproduce an original painting or photograph with an accuracy of detail and tonal depth unlikely to be surpassed in monochrome printing. The sheet-fed gravure method involves feeding each sheet individually through the printer, with printing only on one side of the page. This prevents one of the most common printing problems — the show through of material from the other side of the page. In addition, Karsh and the publisher went to considerable length — the use of a special soft ink and of specially produced (very heavy) paper — to insure that the final print was as close an approximation of the original photograph as possible. The deep, velvety blacks and the low gloss finish provide a sense of texture that is totally lacking from most reproductions.

The magnificent portraits were produced by sheet-fed gravure, a printing process not presently used in North America for this type of work. The world-renowed printing house of Enschede in Haarlem, Holland, which has been turning out fine printing for more than two hundred and fifty years, was entrusted with making and reproduction of the gravure cylinders. The text was first printed by offset lithography on paper especially manufactured for this book in Paris. The gravure printing of the portraits followed. The results are as close to the quality of Yousuf Karsh’s originals mat finish prints as has ever been obtained by any printing method A special thermoplastic binding used in gravure portfolio books allows for easy removing individual portraits for mounting and framing.

Gravure prints offered on this site come all from early portfolio books by Yousuf Karsh. They are 30 to 40+ years old. Some of these prints are very difficult to find in a good condition. Due to the soft ink they need to be handled with care. Archival matting and framing under glass is recomended.