First impressions, as they say, are everything. At first glance, Die vier Beucher von der Nachfolge Christi (translated from German as “the four books of the following of Christ” with Google Translate) by Thomas à Kempis seemed very gothic and menacing. It was published in 1922 on the Einhorn-Presse, or Unicorn Press. The image shown…
At first sight, the “Jakuchū gajō” by Jakuchū Itō looks like a hefty read disguised in a beautifully-bound cover. From the outside, the two thick volumes of the book can be seen. They look as if they each contain hundreds of pages. Upon closer examination, one can see that the pages are made from thick…
Finely ornate and textured accordingly, the Faerie Queen by Edmund Spenser is a lens into the design mentality of the late 1500s. While I only held a copy of the original text, there was still much that could be gleamed from the copy of the epic that I read. The first thing that is…
When I first glanced at Gods’ Man, the cover gave me true 20’s vibes with its retro font type and abstract approach. The font specifically reminded me of something from the Great Gatsby, and the cover art first made me think of Aubrey Beardsley; an artist who was known for his significance in the Art…
My first visual impression when viewing the cover of Contemporary Furniture and Textiles was that my attention was immediately drawn to the bolded, red “K” in the middle. The background is filled with contrasting colors of grey and black with the word “Knoll” repeatedly stated. The repetition of these words is highlighted even more…
The elaborate title pages and covers are initially what caught my eye due to its gold lining and intricate patterns. The front cover of the book is symmetrical and uses a sleek, thin, gold lined pattern around the title which is Lockhart’s Spanish Ballads. The book is dated 1842 and the state of the…
The book that immediately caught my attention was titled “Damn Everything but the Circus” written by Sister Corita Kent in 1970. I had previously viewed this book online, but in person, it’s almost as if the photos online did it no justice. Not only did the title grab my attention for obvious reasons, but the…
When I first entered the Special Collections Library, I was very surprised to see such delicate pieces scattered all over the room with so many students hovering over what just looked like books. I felt almost afraid to even touch the books, as everything in the atmosphere gave me the impression that things were ever…
When I entered the Special Collections room at D.H. Hill, Sweet’s File Architectural Sections 15-20 immediately caught my eye. Its large but plain cover which was aqua blue stood out to me above the rest of the books on display. My first thought when sitting down in front of the book was how large and…
My first impression of this book was one of fascination and respect. I was very aware of how I picked it up and turned its pages, because its age compelled me to handle it with extreme care. However, I was surprised to see that it was published in 1909, because it didn’t have the worn…
For this assignment, I decided to study Works. A facsimile of the William Morris Kelmscott Chaucer by Geoffrey Chaucer (1958 facsimile of 1896 edition.) This book is inspired by the traditional style of illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages. It has very finely detailed linework for the stylized letters, illustrations, and borders throughout the book.…
I was amazed by the individuality of the book I chose. It is truly unlike any layout I’ve ever seen before. Written in 1905, The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám is a 1905 remake of the classic Middle-Eastern poem, translated to English. When I first came upon the book, it was laid open to the first…
When exploring the jungles of the Special Collections visit, I could not help but be drawn to Corita Kent’s Damn, Everything but the Circus. By the looks of the cover with its bold lettering and title and the use of fluorescent colors, I knew that this was going to be an interesting book. The design…
Special Collections Investigation (due Feb 7 by 9AM) Part I (the subjective part), is the first half (500 words) of your Post. Write about your experience viewing the book, including: As I trolled about the room, which was littered with books of all shapes, sizes, ages, and genres, I was immediately and inescapably drawn to…