Woodcut illustrations were first published during the Renaissance, between 1450 and 1600, the period usually regarded as the high point of Western art. Once widely circulated and having prime historical significance, early printed books and single issue sheets have become priceless treasures rarely seen. The images used by Allen have been researched and selected with the cooperation and assistance of museums and rare book libraries. Some illustrations are remade as linoleum block prints. For this medium, Allen redraws the design, painstakingly restoring the image's clarity by removing smudges and repairing broken lines. He then carves away the negative space, leaving the design raised. He then inks the block, places paper on it, and hand rubs the print. The carving can take two months or more and the printing up to twenty minutes each. Other designs are made as serigraphs: hand printed screen prints from hand cut lacquer stencils. Although cutting a stencil can be less time-consuming than linoleum carving, large, ambitious, and detailed pieces can take two months or more to complete. Allen's meticulous work produces replicas closely resembling the original woodcuts. Most are issued in small limited editions. Both lino prints and serigraphs are sometimes hand colored, as was done in the Renaissance, using watercolors and gilding. Gutenberg's invention of moveable type in the 1450's has led Allen to recreate some marvelous text pages as typography. Some are hand set from 'cold' type, some are cast, and others are made from electronic fonts.Over the years, Allen's work has received numerous awards for its high level of craftsmanship. His prints are displayed in collections in homes and offices both in the United States and abroad. With over 200 different titles, Allen's opus has been referred to as the largest collection of (replica) Renaissance print images on display in the entire world!

Artist's Proofs and Cancelled Plates

Allen's work has been made for the enjoyment of the general public. However, some patrons have asked for "collectable" copies. For each limited edition, Allen first makes his own Master Print and then five separately numbered Artist's Proofs. The proofs are not usually exhibited until the edition has sold out. Printing Plates for the various media that Allen employs are cancelled after the last print of the edition has been pulled. As a demonstration of Linoleum Block Printing, Allen mounts the cancelled Lino Block in a frame along with either an Artist's Proof (in the case of Limited Editions) or the last print pulled (in the case of Open Editions). Often displayed at Renaissance Festivals, Artist's Proofs and Cancelled Plates can be purchased subject to availability (prices on request).