A technical dictionary of printmaking, André Béguin.

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Chalcography
[1] The term chalcography is derived from the greek words khalkos meaning "copper" and graphein meaning "writing". The word originally designated only engravings done on copper and then by extension began to be used for engravings on all metals. The term chalcography is, however, almost synonimous to intaglio* engraving since engraving on metal is usually of this type and, furthermore, is generally done on copper.

[2] The term is also used in words such as chalcographic department where it designates departments collecting engraved plates. The chalcographic department of the Louvre was created by Colbert in 1660. It employed several engravers who were later to serve king Louis XIV. The word chalcography, however, was not used in France until 1797. The plates kept at the Cabinet du Roi and at the Académie Royale du Peinture were regrouped and sent to the Cabinet des Estampes of the Bibliothèque Nationale (National Library) where they remained up until the Napoleonic era. The chalcographic department was then added to the Louvre and is now at 10 rue de l'Abbaye in Paris. At this adress one can obtain all information concerning the sale of prints of which they have the plates. The printing of such plates is not limited. One can also buy these prints in the museum shop on the groundfloor of the Louvre.

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