Clemence Housman begins wood engraving career

In 1885, after two years of training, Clemence Housman joined the Chancery Lane engraving firm of her teacher, Charles Roberts, and began her career in reproductive wood engraving. For approximately ten years, Clemence engraved numerous woodblocks for periodicals such as the Illustrated London News and the Graphic, all unsigned, or signed only with name of the firm. “By industry and ability,” Laurence Housman wrote, “my sister was passed on to the engraving office as a proficient wood-engraver in extra quick time” (“Materials and Notes”).