Antique Print & Map Definitions
Antique Print and Map - Definitions
Many abbreviations and terms are used on and about antique and vintage prints and maps which provide essential information about the artwork. These terms are mostly found on classical engravings and etchings as well as in the cartouche (decoration) of old maps. Some terms are quite rare so do not expect to find these on all prints. Here is list of these terms and their definitions. Underlined are the more common terms and abbreviations you may find on old prints & maps.
According to Act of Parliament (date) = copyrighted in England between 1735 and 1911
Aere exarat per (name) = engraved on copper by
App(ress)o (name) = published by (name)
Apud (name) = sold by (name)
Aqua fecit (name); Aqua forti (name) = etched by
Auctore (name) = designed by
Avec Privilège Du Roy, APDR = officially registered in France between 1686 and 1790
Bon à Tirer = hand written by printmaker on proof, indicating quality wanted for printing. This started in about 1850
Caelavit (name); Chalcographus (name) = engraved by
Chez (name) = sold by
Composuit (name) = designed by
Cum gratia et privilegio regis = copyrighted with the king's permission. This is usually found on French prints before 1790
Cum gratia et privilegio Sacrae Caesareae Majestatis, Cum gratia et privilegio Sac Caes Maj = copyrighted in Germany and Austria before 1806
Cum privilegiis Regis Christianissimi Serenissimae Infantis, et Ordinum Confaederatorum = copyrighted in France, Belgium and Holland by Rubens, 1620-1640
Cum privilegio Summi Pontificis, Cum privilegio Summi Pontif = copyrighted in papal states before 1870
Del, Delineavit (name) = drawn by
Déposé à la Bibiothèque Impériale = registered with French censor between 1804 and 1814
Déposé à la Bibiothèque Nationale = registered with French censor between 1848 and 1852 and again from 1870 to the present.
Déposé à la Bibiothèque Royale = registered with French censor between 1814 and 1848.
Déposé à la Direction = registered with French censor between 1795 and 1799
Descripsit (name), Disegno (name) = drawn by
Divulgavit (name) = published by
Eau Forte par (name) = etched by (name) between 1700 and 1900
Effigavit (name) = drawn by
Epreuve d'Artiste = In French, hand written on print made for the artist and is not included in a numbered edition. 19th century to present.
Epreuve d'Essai = hand written on proof to test inking
Epreuve d'état = hand written on proof before finished state
Ex Archetipis (name) = designed by
Excudit, Exc (name) = published by
Excusum Londini = published in London between 1600 and 1800
Exculpsit (name) = reproductive engraving by
Ex officina (name) = from the press of
Faciebat, Fecit (name) = made by
Figuravit (name) = drawn by
Formis (name) = published by
Gravé par (name) = (French) engraved or etched by
Impressit, Imp (name) = printed by
Imprimé (name) = printed by
Incidente, Incidit, Inc (name) = engraved by
Invenit, Inv (name) = designed by
Lith. (name) = lithograph drawn by or printed by
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Pinxit (name) = painted by
Scalpsit, Sculpsit, Sc (name) = engraved by