My Grandfather’s Bookplate
My grandfather, Cloyd F. Woolley, had an extensive, wide-ranging library. Each of his many hardbound books (a few of which I’ve inherited) had his custom-designed bookplate pasted inside the front cover. It has always intrigued me.
My father tells me this about the origin of Cloyd’s bookplate:
Harold Wolfinbarger was an artist in my dad’s firm, Woolley and Hunter, Advertising. My dad thought Harold was a very good artist, and paid him separately to create the bookplate, using my dad’s basic ideas.
The artist’s signature in the lower right corner is very small and hard to read, but it’s dated June 1932. The artist, Harold A. Wolfinbarger, also worked as a book illustrator.
I love the words that appear in the book the old man is reading:
To Fear No Fact
To Love No Lie
To Understand
There’s a lot going on in this picture. Below are some larger views of different parts of it.
The actual bookplate measures about 11 x 16 centimeters.
My cousin Jane, who’s in possession of the original framed pen & ink drawing, tells me it measures about 14.5 by 20.5 inches. The part of the book that’s open and has words on the page is a different piece of paper, glued on. This original drawing hung in my grandfather’s office for many years.
My oh my — it is detailed and fascinating!
I have the original full size framed drawing hanging in my bedroom. My children will frequently stand in front of it looking entranced. :)
Really? I’ve never seen the original and didn’t even know it still existed. What are the dimensions?