Open Collections

[Bookplate for Henry Young and Alice Young by Joseph Winfred Spenceley]

1903

1 bookplate : intaglio printing ; 6.6 x 8.7 cm

United States

Prints

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J. Winfred Spenceley (1865-1908) was born in Boston, MA, and died in Chocorua, NH. Spenceley was an artist and engraver active during the so-called 'golden age' of American bookplate design. He was trained in lettering and ornamental design for steel and copper plate engraving and worked as a bank note engraver and commercial illustrator. A nature lover and wanderer, he was constantly exploring new fields. He moved from Boston to Chicago and even to Mexico City, before returning to Boston and focusing on bookplates. Spenceley produced over 200 ex-libris designs in addition to a variety of other commercial and fine art engravings. Spenceley signed 25-30 proofs of his final work and very seldom would sign 50 proofs before the plate was steel-faced (after which, he refused to sign impressions). Spenceley always kept half a dozen proofs for friends that appreciated his work and whose criticism or approval he valued. All proofs of states preceding the final state of the plate are generally considered to be of greater rarity. This bookplate was described by Professor Pierre de Chaignon La Rose in his book "J. Winfred Spenceley, A Descriptive Checklist of the Etched and Engraved Book-plates" (1905). The first state of the bookplate is described as: large size paper, unsigned Artist's proof, first state, light engraving, curtain not toned, signed JWS 1903, on India. The final state of the bookplate is described as: large size paper signed Artist's proof, final state, curtain and the engraving generally darkened as described, on India. The bookplate is also found in: the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Joseph Winfred Spenceley ; University of Delaware Library, William Augustus Brewer Bookplate Collection ; and Yale University Library, Collection of Bookplates by J. Winfred Spenceley.
References:
1) Andreini, J.M., Spenceley, J.W. (1910). J. Winfred Spenceley: his etchings and engravings in the form of bookplates. New York, NY: Privately Printed. Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Joseph Winfred Spenceley, Henry and Alice Young, Accession number M21582. Retrieved from http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/henry-and-alice-young-396237
2) Spenceley, J.W., & de Chaignon la Rose, P. (1905). A descriptive checklist of the etched and engraved book-plates. Boston, MA: Troutsdale Press. Retrieved from http://archive.org/stream/adescriptiveche00rosegoog
3) University of Delaware Library. William Augustus Brewer Bookplate Collection GRA 115. Retrieved from http://search.sscommons.org/object/SS7729421_7729421_635442
4) Yale University Library. Finding Aid: Collection of Bookplates by J. Winfred Spenceley BKP 53. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/arts.bkp.0053

RBSC Bookplates

2013

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