London-based Baddeley Brothers teamed with the Hand Engravers Association on the competition, with the winning entry coming from Megan Rigby, who has been engraving for four years and is an apprentice at Rebus Signet Rings.
Rigby saw her reindeer design printed using the historic die-stamping process and made into Christmas cards earlier this month at Baddeley’s factory in South Woodford.
She told Printweek: “I came up with the design by accident really, I had sketched a reindeer head for practice and then when I saw the Christmas card competition I decided to add the holly as a frame underneath so it would have a better composition on the page and add a more festive element.
“When engraving the design I changed a few things from my original drawing, mostly enhancing the dark and light areas to make stand out and be more striking.”
She engraved the plate over the course of a month in her spare time.
The competition was judged by Baddeley’s directors together with Hand Engravers Association director Sally Dodson and artist printmaker Linda Farquharson.
Megan Rigby with Charles Pertwee at Baddeley Brothers
Baddeley director Charles Pertwee said the firm had been pleased to sponsor the Hand Engravers Association Christmas Card competition for the second year running.
“Baddeley’s history in engraving can be traced back to 1652 with the gloriously named Phineas Baddeley. Phineas became a member of the Clockmaker's Company 1661 and, along with Gunsmiths, Goldsmiths and Stationers all rely on the creative talents and highly skilled engravers to accompany their work.
“It is important to display these talents or they will die out if we do not cherish and support them with commissions that are commercially viable.”
He described Rigby’s winning stylised stag design as “ethereal, romantic, delicate and light”.
“For someone who hasn't been engraving for long, the plate was perfect to put on the press without any alteration,” he added.
Dodson said the judges had reviewed more than 20 entries from hand engravers based across the UK.
“Even within such a specialist field there is a diversity of styles and techniques of hand engraving, and it was difficult to choose a winner.”
John Cook who used a bulino style of engraving and Anna Olafsson who engraves for print and die stamping, were both singled out for commendation.
“Megan's design really exemplified what stunning results a hand-cut plate can produce. Her striking design and subsequent engraving utilised subtle changes in weight of line, delicate detail and clean, sharp edges that produce the best quality luxurious print. The Hand Engravers Association was thrilled to be working with Baddeley Brothers again and we appreciate their support and enthusiasm for the heritage craft skill of hand engraving,” Dodson said.
Rigby said it was fantastic to see her work coming to life in print.
“Seeing it being printed was so exciting, I was really nervous beforehand hoping that it would look OK but I felt so relieved and proud to see it on the page.
“To work with the printers and collaborate on a shared project such a rewarding process from the engraving through to seeing the final product in print.”
She has received her own copies of the card, which is also available to purchase in the Baddeley Brothers online shop.
