#initials

gospels of john of opava: gospel initials

intricately decorated, full-page initial letters (F, I, I) for the gospels of luke, john, and mark, from the richly illuminated (and written entirely in gold ink) gospels of john of opava (evangeliar des johannes von troppau). manuscript produced in prague, bohemia, c. 1368

Typography Tuesday

Here are another set of initials used by Theodore Low De Vinne's (1828-1914) De Vinne Press in New York in the early 20th century. The last two images are of chromatic initials to be printed in two or three colors.

These examples come from Types of the De Vinne Press, published in New York by the De Vinne Press in 1907. Theodore De Vinne founded his press in 1883. He was also a co-founder of the prestigious Grolier Club and one of the leading commercial printers of his day, whose enterprise had a profound influence on American printing and typography. This book was intended as a promotional specimen book “for the use of compositors, proofreaders, and publishers,” to demonstrate the wide variety of typographic possibilities that could be available to their clients.

View more posts from Types of the De Vinne Press.

I just found out that Bruce Wayne's middle name is Thomas.

His initials are BTW. FREAKING BTW.

I'm just imagining that he wrote his initials down on something as a signature and Tim sees and just stares at him for a long moment before opening the family group chat

Tim: btw

Jason: by the way what?

Tim: btw, btw is Bruce's initials

Tim: none of us have figured this out before.

H is for HDS Library Book on Display in New York!

We are honored to have one of our rare books displayed as part of an exhibit titled, "The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt" at the Jewish Museum of New York until August 10, 2025!

In the age of Rembrandt van Rijn (1606 – 1669), the biblical Book of Esther was a key source of inspiration for diverse communities in Holland, both Jewish and Christian. Traditionally, the Esther story is read annually on the Jewish holiday of Purim. For immigrant Jewish communities living with new freedom in more tolerant Amsterdam, celebrating Purim—notably through finely produced Esther scrolls and theater productions—became meaningful expressions of Jewish culture. For the Dutch, Queen Esther’s heroism came to represent their emerging nation’s identity. Rembrandt and his contemporaries depicted essential scenes of Esther’s story in paintings, prints, drawings, and decorative arts. This exhibition gives expression to this full range of the Book of Esther’s popularity and meaning in Rembrandt’s time.

The HDS Library contribution is a Dutch bible from 1649 that includes a lovely initial H illustrated with a scene of Esther before the king.

More info about the exhibit is here.

Photo credit (images 1 & 2): Installation view of "The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt," at the Jewish Museum, NY, March 7–August 10, 2025. Photo by Kris Graves.