Influence of William Morris (1834-1896)

In the United States two large firms follow the trends established by William Morris in the English Arts and Crafts Movement.  Both Gustav Stickley (1858-1942) with his Craftsman Shops and Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) with the Roycrofters imitate the William Morris approach to design in general; and Hubbard clearly imitates the Morris style in print.  The Athenaeum holds some 14 books produced by the Roycrofters, and the collection includes a rare bookcover displayed below.  For Gustav Stickley the Athenaeum collection holds trade catalogs and his periodical The Craftsman.  In this case you may again contrast the highly decorative covers produced outside of the Hubbard studio with the Morris-influenced designs of the Roycrofters.  

Elbert Hubbard. Little Journeys to the Homes of English Authors: William Morris. East Aurora, New York: The Roycroft Shop, 1900.

Illustrated by: Roycroft Artists

Elbert Hubbard. Little Journeys to the Homes of English Authors:   William Morris. East Aurora, New York: The Roycroft Shop, 1900.

Illustrated by: Roycroft Artists

William Shakespeare. A Midsummer-Night’s Dream.  New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1873.

Illustrated by: Alfred Fredericks

Gift of: William B. Bassett

Elbert Hubbard.  Little Journey to the Home of Robert G. Ingersoll.  East Aurora, NY: The Roycrofters, 1930 [c. 1902]

Library Committee of the R.W. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Free and Accepted Masons, eds. Dedication Memorial of the New  Masonic Temple. Philadelphia: Claxton, Remsen & Haffelfinger,    1875.

Illustrated by: F. Faas, Thomas Hunter

Gift of: The Albert M. Greenfield Memorial Fund

Title page by: Dard Hunter