Wisconsin Historical Society Floor Mosaic
| Mosaic in the central lobby floor of the Wisconsin Historical Society. This is the printer's mark of one the earliest English printers, William Caxton. He designed his mark in 1489. The initials "W" and "C" flank a symbol usually interpreted as the number "74," possibly referring to 1474, when printing was introduced into England. The design between the initials "WC" is thought to reproduce a merchant’s mark he used before becoming a printer. |
| Image ID: | 125515 |
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| Creation Date: | circa 1899 |
| Creator Name: | Wisconsin Historical Society |
| City: | Madison |
| County: | Dane |
| State: | Wisconsin |
| Collection Name: | State Historical Society of Wisconsin photographs, 1880-2010 |
| Genre: | Historical Object |
| Original Format Type: | digital file |
| Original Format Number: | 1201001245 |
| Original Dimensions: | 3499 X 2409 pixels |
| A similar image also appears on plate 140 in State Historical Library Building, Madison, Wisconsin, a book of cyanotype prints documenting the construction of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin's headquarters building. The book was presented by Francis W. Grant, Superintendent of Construction, to the Wisconsin Historical Society. The designs are printer's marks - the device put on their products by printers in the days when printing was a creative, highly individualized hand craft. It is uncertain just who suggested the idea which appropriately fit in with one of the society's mandates, to preserve printed documents and books concerned with the state. Ferry and Clas, the architects, adapted the designs where necessary to conform to the medium. Reuben Gold Thwaites, the executive officer of the Society at that time, supervised the design of the interior of the building and probably influenced that decision, too. The information about Printer's Marks obtained from the Memorial volume,The State Historical Society of Wisconsin : exercises at the dedication of its new building, October 19, 1900 : together with a description of the building, accounts of the several libraries contained therein, and a brief history of the Society, edited by Rueben Gold Thwaites. Rare Book Collection Oversize, Z733 W8 W6. |
| Floors |
| Library buildings |
| Mosaics |
| Printing industry |
| Tile industry |
| Signs and symbols |
| This image is issued by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Use of the image requires written permission from the staff of the Collections Division. It may not be sold or redistributed, copied or distributed as a photograph, electronic file, or any other media. The image should not be significantly altered through conventional or electronic means. Images altered beyond standard cropping and resizing require further negotiation with a staff member. The user is responsible for all issues of copyright. Please Credit: Wisconsin Historical Society. |
| Location: | Wisconsin Historical Society Archives, 4th Floor, Madison, Wisconsin |
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