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New
York publisher Alfred A. Knopf was an early patron of Skaggs’, who worked
for him for fifteen years designing books, bindings, and book jackets.
Through Knopf, Skaggs worked closely with W.A. Dwiggins, who had evolved
the company’s “house style” in the 1930s. They worked together, and
as Dwiggins’ health failed, Skaggs often completed Dwiggins’ roughly
sketched designs.
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LETTER
Sidney
R. Jacobs
Typed
letter, signed. November 18, 1953
This
letter from Sidney Jacobs of the publishing firm Alfred A. Knopf
refers to the sketch by W.A. Dwiggins (dated the day before) for
a new Borzoi device for Knopf’s series of college textbooks. Dwiggins
included notes for Skaggs, who would refine and complete the design,
since Dwiggins’ failing health prevented him from executing the
final drawing and lettering. Jacobs explains the device at the bottom
of the sketch: “Pity the Blind—is Dwig’s dry comment on the fact
that he ran into a twig and apparently injured one eye quite severely.
But apparently the other eye is in good enough shape so that he
can get some work done.”
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OF
PLYMOUTH PLANTATION
1620-1647
William
Bradford
New
York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1952
Dwiggins
hand-lettered the book jacket design for this work. The book jacket
reproduces that lettering as well as using Caslon type, as specified
by Dwiggins in the sketch.
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WILLA
CATHER:
A
CRITICAL BIOGRAPHY
E.K.
Brown
New
York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1953
The
two sketches for the binding design for this book are by W.A. Dwiggins.
Charles Skaggs probably completed these designs, since there is
a note on one of them by Dwiggins: “help from Skaggs.” The spine
has faded on the green cloth binding.
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