This monthly artistic portfolio printed by Ernest Edwards’ New York Photo-Gravure Company is a self-described Picture Periodical without Letter Press. In its first year, the publication grew from less than fifty subscribers to a monthly edition of four thousand. Responding to interest in a “higher grade of pictures” with emphasis on quality rather than quantity, the magazine transformed itself from its original concept of a “Photographic Record of Events” to an “Artistic Periodical.” By the fifth issue in January 1889, the shift was taking place; the lesser quality photomechanical method of photolithography was abandoned, and reproductions were by photogravure and “photogelatin” (collotype) only. Each issue typically featured a portfolio of eight high-quality, large photogravures and collotypes of artwork and artistic photography of leading artists and photographers of the day. [1]

I cant help but thinking Edwards purposefully chose an image of his for Sun and Shade that would be beautifully enhanced by the photogravure process. Compare to this sheet-fed photogravure of the same image: https://photogravure.com/collection/the-rocks-presented-a-high-impenetrable-wall/?artist=Edwards%252C%2520Ernest&period=All&cw=All&portfolio=All&atelier=All&medium=All&keywords=&searchPage=1