The origin of the serif; brush writing & Roman letters: PB 96-2003

Place(s) associated

• Davenport

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (2003-05) by Dreyfus, John

Dating

Production date: AD 1968

Note

"In all 1400 copies of this book were printed. Of these 50, numbered and signed, are hand-bound in half-leather, each in a protective slipcase, and containing 23 additional sheets on which I brush-wrote each letter (6-1/2 inches tall) of the Roman Imperial alphabet. The typeface is 12pt. linotype Baskerville. The chapter-heading and title-page alphabets are of my own design as are the typographic flourishes, initials and end papers. I selected Mohawk Superfine Text, made of pure, high alpha cellulose and with a near-neutral pH ... offset printed on my Catfish Press ..."--Colophon. Museum has no. 22 signed by E. M. Catich. Copy also has handwritten inscription by Catich to John Dreyfus dated April 28 1970. With folder containing 6p text, a brush-written Latin alphabet of 23 letters (24 leaves) with the letter Z signed by Catich and dedicated to John Dreyfus, and 4 printed leaves of cards depicting the alphabet. Quarter bound in leather with marbled sides. Folder and slipcase bound in cloth with marbled sides.