In 1915, Eric Gill (1882-1940) designed and cut illustrations for Hilary Douglas Clarke Pepler’s The Devil’s Devices, or, Control Versus Service (London: Hampshire House Workshops). The following February 2, in honor of the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Gill and Pepler printed fifteen copies of the wood engravings and published them as Emblems Engraved on Wood.

The small keepsake was such a success that Gill printed another run of 33 copies. The Graphic Arts Collection recently acquired a copy of the second edition, without the wrapper but signed by Gill in pencil. Here are a few pages.

Eric Gill (1882-1940), Emblems Engraved on Wood. 2nd ed. (Ditchling, Sussex: D. Pepler and E. Gill, 1916). Copy 24 of 33. Graphic Arts Collection in process