Rectangular, metal printing block. This metal icon of Christ holding a rod and scroll is engraved on a metal slab. Texture is given to his hair, robe, and rays of light with small hatched incisions while larger areas are goughed out to create contrast and depth. Christ is centered in the image with a halo and rays of light steaming down behind him. He has long hair and robes in the traditional styling. He also hold one of his hands up in blessing. Although there are lines to indicate writing on the scroll and on the ribbon around the staff they are not real letters. On the back the metal has turned green and there are remnants of paper that had been attached there.

Donated by John Damianos. The printing block was used in a linotype printing machine. Linotype presses allowed for the casting of entire lines to be printed at a time. Linotype printing was eventually succeeded by lithograph printing and computer typesetting during the 1960's and 1970's. This printing block was used by the Chicago-based, Greek Art Printing Company that was owned and operated by Aristotle Damianos. The Greek Art Printing Company was responsible for the printing of a wide range of materials, including wedding invitations, invoices, flyers, programs, letterhead, etc., for Greek businesses, organizations, institutions, and individuals in the Chicago area, and elsewhere.

This is a religious icon of christ. It may have been used in religious literature or pamphlets. The picture is typical of Greek Orthodox depictions of Christ which are updated versions of the Byzantine depiction of Christ.

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