The Love Story of Ursula Wolcott

A poem written by Charles Knowles Bolton about a historical figure in Connecticut. The decorations are by Ethel Reed, but the printer or book designer is uncredited. The publisher, Lamson, Wolffe, and Company, wrote the following in their 1896 catalog:

It is printed in a a dark brown ink, in an old style antique type, on heavy, hand-made paper of natural tint, with deckled edges and uncut leaves. The book is appropriately illustrated by Miss Ethel Reed, who has drawn also the title-page and cover designs. […]

“Much of the attraction of Mr. Bolton’s little volume lies in the admirable illustrations and letter-heads by Miss Ethel Reed. These designs are in the ‘poster’ style, and in their cleverly massed effects and bold outline have considerable charm and originality.” — The Literary World.

The design is typical of the Arts & Crafts movement, favoring bold strokes in both artwork and type. Old Style Antique is the US import of Miller & Richard’s Old Style Antique No. 7, a 1850s–60s design that regained popularity in the early 1900s. It was later revised as Bookman.

The main title type is a mystery. It seems to match Boston’s Old Style Antique No. 2, but that W!