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Charles
Skaggs wrote that when he arrived in New York City in 1945, it seemed
to him “that two of every three trade book jackets used calligraphy
to some extent—even if only to display the title and author.” The Skaggs
Collection contains hundreds of original book jackets, preserved in
virtually pristine condition. Some are available online here
to accompany this exhibition. There is also some original artwork by
Skaggs for these jackets, a selection of which is shown here.
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GREAT
ESSAYS
Houston
Peterson, ed. New
York: Washington Square Press, 1960
Charles
Skaggs designed many books and bindings for Wasington Square Press.
Here are two designs for the same title: one as original art (l)
and one in printed form on the paperback cover (r).
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A
HISTORY OF THE
MODERN WORLD
R.
R. Palmer
New
York: Alfred A Knopf, c. 1950
Palmer’s
world history was printed in a number of editions from 1950 until
the 1970s. A book jacket for this title is shown here along with
a sheet of original lettering by Skaggs. Skaggs provided all the
words used on the book jacket, but wrote them so they fit on the
page; of course, they were photographed and rearranged for use on
the printed book jacket. The use of lettering or calligraphy on
book jackets in the 1940s through the 1960s was quite common, sometimes
as the only lettering and sometimes in combination with printed
typefaces.
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THE
BLACK PRINCE AND OTHER STORIES
Shirley
Ann Grau
New
York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1954
This
original drawing and lettering (left) by Skaggs is marked by him
on the back “Knopf Feb, 54 (NOT USED)”. However, the published
book jacket (below), with author portrait, states: “Jacket, typography,
and binding design by Charles E. Skaggs.”
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ABRAHAM
LINCOLN
Benjamin
P. Thomas
New
York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1953
Here
is the finished printed book jacket as well as two original designs
by Skaggs for this biography of Lincoln. Skaggs has written on the
back of the two designs: “Alternate sketch NOT used.”
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