This is an original sketch by William Addison Dwiggins, noted American book designer and type designer. It is accompanied by a note from Dwiggins (“Bill”) to “Sid” (Sidney R. Jacobs of the publishing firm Alfred A. Knopf), dated July 8, [1953]. The note states that [Charles] Skaggs can complete this design: “Maybe with Skaggs help something may be made of this. It would be striking, at any rate!”

This note reveals the extent to which Dwiggins relied on the much younger Skaggs to interpret his designs, since his poor health prevented him from completing accomplished artwork at this time.

In his notes, Dwiggins mentions “blind sidestamps.” “Blind” stamping , like that on the front cover of this book, is stamping done without gold or other colored foils, such as the silver stamping on the spine of this book.

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Last Updated: November 20, 2006