Eric Gill, Decorative Initial Letters, Autumn Midnight, 1923-1929, Wood Engravings, 1929, Set of 4

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Description

A set of four wood engravings by eric gill, printed from the original blocks and depicting decorative initial letters incorporating … Read more A set of four wood engravings by eric gill, printed from the original blocks and depicting decorative initial letters incorporating finely rendered figurative scenes.

the group comprises the initials a, l, t and w, each combining gill’s disciplined lettering with classical figure drawing and symbolic detail. The designs belong to the group of initials associated with gill’s illustration work for autumn midnight, first published in london in 1923 by the poetry bookshop and printed at st dominic's press.

the blocks were subsequently reused and reproduced as plate 59 in engravings by eric gill. Each engraving was issued in an edition of 400 impressions. The impressions are clean and well defined, with stable paper and no visible structural damage. Minor age-related handling wear is present, consistent with period. Each engraving is housed in a period frame, with original retail labels to the verso.

presented as a cohesive group, the set offers a strong example of gill’s interwar graphic work, where typography, literature and image are integrated with clarity and restraint. Both historically grounded and visually refined, the engravings retain decorative appeal while carrying genuine bibliographic and design significance.

dimensions:

initial a — framed: 25.0 × 25.0 cm (9.8 × 9.8 in)
image: 3.5 × 5.0 cm (1.4 × 2.0 in)

initial l — framed: 27.0 × 28.0 cm (10.6 × 11.0 in)
image: 4.0 × 6.0 cm (1.6 × 2.4 in)

initial t — framed: 25.5 × 26.0 cm (10.0 × 10.2 in)
image: 4.0 × 4.5 cm (1.6 × 1.8 in)

initial w — framed: 27.0 × 28.0 cm (10.6 × 11.0 in)
image: 4.0 × 6.0 cm (1.6 × 2.4 in). this piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less