The Definitive Dwiggins no. 28 second addendum—The Humanists’ Library

The source for the frame used on the front of the Humanists’ Library Second Series circular is a 1503 title page engraved on wood. It can be found in Bücher-Ornamentik der Renaissance by A.F. Butsch (Leipzig: G. Hirth, 1878–1881), Tafel 15. [1] W.A. Dwiggins, the presumed designer of the frame for The Merrymount Press, has not only eliminated the scene between the pillars, but he has also deleted all of the text and the three shields. More significantly, he has replaced the decoration on the pillars with acorns and oak leaves on the left and grape vines on the right—a change surely suggested by Daniel Berkeley Updike. [2]

Tafel 15 from Bücher-Ornamentik der Renaissance by F.A. Butsch (Leipzig: G. Hirth, 1878–1881).

Circular for The Humanists’ Library Second Series 1912–1913 (1913). Illustration by W.A. Dwiggins?; typography by D.B. Updike; printing by The Merrymount Press. Image courtesy of Barry Snider.

Notes
1. The wood engraving was later included in Historic Design in Printing by Henry Lewis Johnson (Boston: The Graphic Arts Company, 1923), Group II, no. 31.
2. There is no correspondence between Dwiggins and Updike referring explicitly to this job. The closest discussion is Dwiggins’ request to Updike, “Please let me have your general criticism of this. The detail of mouldings etc. is coarse but I think I can ease them up. I like the right side better but shall be interested to know what you think of the scheme.” W.A. Dwiggins to D.B. Updike 6 August 1912, Letter 108:487, Box 69, The Merrymount Press Collection, The Huntington Library. However, the border in question may refer instead one for a confirmation certificate that appears in Dwiggins’ account books for August 1912.