Early Woodcut Initials Containing over Thirteen Hundred Reproductions of Ornamental Letters of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries

by Oscar Jennings

"Early Woodcut Initials" by Oscar Jennings is a scholarly examination of ornamental letters used in book printing, written in the early 20th century. This work contains over thirteen hundred reproductions of initial letters from the 15th and 16th centuries, meticulously selected and annotated to illuminate their artistic and historical significance. Jennings aims to address the underappreciated role of these initials in early printed books, advocating for their recognition as integral elements of book design. The opening of the work presents transcriber’s notes and a preface where Jennings outlines the growing interest in early printing and decorations in books while emphasizing the overlooked importance of initial letters among engravings. He reflects on the historical context and evolution of ornamental initials, describing their artistic intent in contrast to mere illustrations. Jennings introduces the idea that a specialized study on these artistic letters is necessary, suggesting that although progress has been made in documenting them, much work remains to fully appreciate their richness.