Libraries & Collections at Rutgers: Special Collections and University Archives: Rare Books: John DePol Collection:
Finding Aid: The John DePol Collection
of American Wood Engravings and Related Material

• Folder One
• Folder Two
• Folder Three
• Folder Four
• Folder Five
• Folder Six
• Folder Seven
• Folder Eight
• Folder Nine
• Folder Ten
• Folder Eleven
• Folder Twelve
• Folder Thirteen
• Folder Fourteen
• Folder Fifteen

• See also: Images and Related Web Resources

Folder 1 of 15

The Benjamin Franklin Keepsakes

Documentation. "John DePol Relates Intimate History of Famed 'Franklin Keepsake' Series." Printing News (5 March 1988): 2-3.

Documentation. Typescript and letter from DePol to 'Neil' and photocopyof six pages of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence by Carl Van Doren.

Photocopy of sections of Hanborough Catalogue 50. Printing, Typography Type Specimens. Item 453G (with reproduction) of Franklin, Inventor, a wood engraving by DePol.

Folder 2 of 15

Ben Grauer and The Between Hours Press.

(A sampling of DePol's large archive on the subject). Typescript describing The Grauer Albion including numbered and dated wood engraving of the press by DePol.

Typescript and photocopied documentation of the television program "Seeing is Believing." AIGA Journal Volume IV No. 1 discussing the reproduction of Franklin wood engraving by DePol on Ben Grauer's "Seeing is Believing".

Documentation. Photocopy of Publisher's Weekly from February 2, 1952, p. 684 discussing Ben Grauer's "Seeing is Believing" television program.

Photocopy of Alfred in London, by Ben Grauer, wood engravings by DePol, 1965.

Folder 3 of 15

Catalogues. Arts of the Book

Arts of the Book. Catalogue Fifteen. 1992. Includes wood engraving on cover by DePol.

The Veatchs. Arts of the Book. Catalogue 27. Cover wood engraving by DePol. Signed and dated. With a note by DePol.

Folder 4 of 15

Documentation Documentation. "John DePol." American Friends of the Bodleian Newsletter. 22 (Winter 1992/93).

"John DePol." American Friends of the Bodleian Newsletter 28 (Winter 1995/96). 2 copies.

Documentation. Gourley, Paula Marie, ed. "Stanzas for An Imaginary Garden. "First Impressions: A Newsletter from the Institute for the Book Arts at The University of Alabama. 7 No. 1 (Sept. 1990). Notes that DePol, a noted wood engraver, has created two large wood-engraved illustrations for a bi-lingual limited edition book of poems by Octavio Paz.

Documentation. Photocopy of review of John DePol: A Celebration of his Work by Many Hands. Council Bluffs, IA: The Yellow Barn Press, 1994. In: Matrix 14 (Winter 1994): 228.

Documentation. Photocopy of review of Peich, Michael. The Red Ozier: A Literary Fine Press, History and Bibliography 1976-87. New York Public Library and The Yellow Barn Press, 1993. In: Matrix 14 (Winter 1994):231.

Documentation. Photocopy of Macaulay, Allen. "History Written on Wood. "The Sunday Record Call (27 October 1968): 6-8. Features reproductions of wood engravings of The West Side of Manhattan and The Harvard Medical Library, The Eliot-Sturgis-Prescott-DreherHouse, Lycoming College, The Old Observatory at Bucknell University and a likeness of Samuel Colt by DePol.  (2 copies.)

Documentation. Brody, Catherine Tyler. John DePol and The Typophiles: A Memoir and Record of their Friendship. New York: Typophiles, 1998.2 copies.

Documentation.  "John DePol."  Printing News (7 September 1998): 1, 8-9.  (missing page one)

Documentation.  Rutherford, Brett.  "Typophiles Tribute to Wood Engraver John DePol Has Many Memories for New York Area Printers." Printing News  (8 February 1999).

Folder 5 of 15

Engravings

Winter, a miniature print. Documentation describing Winter, a wood engraving by DePol. Includes photocopy of Winter from The Jerry W. Horn Gallery HomePage.

Signed and dated wood engraving of Bruce Rogers by DePol.

Ninety-eighth birthday card to Dr. Robert Lincoln Leslie, drawn and engraved on wood by John DePol. New York: The Typophiles, 1983.

Proposed title-page spread for a forthcoming publication. A keepsake for the DePol Festschrift, The Pierpont Morgan Library. Publication: DePol, Thelma. The Cutting Edge: Forty-Eight Years with a Wood Engraver or, It Has Not Been All Black and White. Council Bluffs and New York: The Yellow Barn Press. Includes wood engraving by DePol. Signed by Thelma DePol and John DePol.

Bookways: A Quarterly for the Book Arts. Nos. 13 & 14. October1994-January 1995.

Typescript with wood engraving of a view of Hammer Creek marked "for John Fass The Hammer Creek Press." Small version.

Fourth Avenue An original wood engraving with recollections of "Book Row." Engraving signed, dated and numbered. Typescript and wood engraving of Fourth Avenue by Depol.

9/95 Copy of correspondence to Michael Tarachow, Pentagram Press. Includes recollections of Fourth Avenue Book Row.

Philippe Pinel. 1745-1826. French Physician. Copyprint of a two-color print.

Title page of Boltin, Caroll. A Practical Guide to Light Refreshment. New York: Bowne & Co., Stationers, South Street Seaport Museum. The original contains six new wood engravings by DePol.

 Invitation to The Ampersand Club. Annual Dinner Meeting. With a wood engraving by DePol.

Wood engraving for Boltin, Caroll. A Practical Guide to Light Refreshment. New York: Bowne & Co., Stationers, South Street Seaport Museum. Keepsake for Bowne Stationers. Signed and dated.

Wood engraving Boltin, Caroll. A Practical Guide to Light Refreshment. New York: Bowne & Co., Stationers, South Street Seaport Museum. Keepsake for Bowne Stationers. Signed and dated.

Keepsake for the June 21, 1995 meeting of The Typophiles. With a wood engraving by DePol. (2 engravings.)

Keepsake for the September 20, 1995 meeting of The Typophiles. With a wood engraving by John DePol.

Wood engraving for the Ampersand Club. Signed and dated.

Wood engraving for the Pentagram Press. Signed and dated.

Wood engraving for the Pentagram Press. Signed and dated.

Wood engraving for Bowne and Co. Stationers. Signed and dated.

Invitation to a celebration and festschrift presentation at The Pierpont Morgan Library to honor the eightieth birthday of John DePol. The cover of the invitation is a wood engraving by DePol of the Morgan Library.

Invitation to The Ampersand Club Annual Dinner Meeting, May 18, 1995. Includes preliminary sketches by DePol.

1995 Summer Solstice Greeting from Merce Dostale and Michael Tarachow. Wood engraving by John DePol.

Albion Press keepsake. Set and printed by Neil Shaver. The Yellow Barn Press, Council Bluffs,IA, for the Typophiles in 1990, celebrating the centennial year of John Fass's birth. Wood engraving of the press by DePol.

Eleanor Steiner-Prag, for the Typophiles, June 17, 1999.

Wood engraving entitled Old Printing Office.

Wood engraving [Wood Engraver's Tools]

Wood engraving of New York City for The Ninth Annual Congress of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers.

Publication announcement for Heartwood, by Norbert Krapf with wood engravings by John DePol.

Wood engraving of [The Invention of Linotype]

Wood engraving for The Appletree Alley Press.  Signed and dated 1995.

Wood engraved Self Portrait.  Dated 1995.

Wood engraving of Thomas Hardy, a frontispiece for Jude the Obscure.  Signed and dated 1977.

Wood engraving of Westside--Manhattan.  Signed and dated 1968.

The Duel: July 11, 1804.  Commentary by Don Wesely and two wood-engraved portraits by John DePol.  New York: Pandick Press, 1976.

Bernard Brussel-Smith: An Exhibition of Wood Engravings. With Appreciations by John DePol, James Fraser, Alan Tompkins.  Catalogue by Renée Weber and Mildred Brussel-Smith.  Madison, NJ: Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1983.  Exhibition ran May 15 through July 31,1983.

Folder 6 of 15

Far-Flung Journey of a Little Turtle

Documentation. The Far-flung Journey of a Little Turtle. (2 copies). This text describes the multiple uses of a small wood engraving of a tiny turtle by DePol.

The text is followed by two examples of the use of the engraving of the turtle. Included is the title page from A Primer of life along Hammer Creek or, some friends and enemies of the turtle. New York, 1956.

Documentation. A copy of a letter from John Ryder of The Miniature Press, Surrey, England.

Folder 7 of 15

Gutenberg

About the Gutenberg show at the Pierpont Morgan Library 1994.

12/93 Copy of correspondence to Barbara Henry, Curator, South Street Seaport Museum, New York.

1/94 Copy of correspondence from Charles E. Pierce, Jr., Director, the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York.

5/94 Copy of the correspondence to the fellow members of Rowfant Club (of Cleveland).

Pierpont Morgan Library. Gutenberg and the Genesis of Printing. New

York: The Library, c1994. Includes pamphlet from the exhibition.

Card with wood engraving of Johann Gutenberg's Printing Press by DePol for Gutenberg and the Genesis of Printing, an exhibition at The Pierpont Morgan Library, New York.

Gutenberg, Johann. 4/98 Correspondence to Michael Joseph, Rare Book and Jerseyana Catalog Librarian, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Signed and dated wood engraving of Johann Gutenberg.

Documentation, Backgrounder: Johann Gutenberg of Mainz. Produced by The Pierpont Morgan Library.

Johann Gutenberg's Printing Press, hypothetical reconstruction, The Gutenberg Museum, Mainz. Wood engraving by John DePol. 2 signed, one dated wood engravings.

Folder 8 of 15

John DePol: A Celebration of his Work. John DePol. Printed to Celebrate his Eightieth Birthday. Pentagram Press.

Publication announcement for John DePol. A Celebration of his Work. By Many Hands. Edited by James H. Fraser. The Yellow Barn Press. Includes wood engraving of The Shot from Four Stories by Pushkin, Allen Press.

John DePol. A Celebration of his Work. Offprints. Bullnettle Press.

John DePol. A Celebration of his Work. Offprint from The GladHand Press.

John DePol. A Celebration of his Work. Offprints.

John DePol. A Celebration of his Work. Offprint from the Allen Press.

John DePol. A Celebration of his Work. Offprints. The Rowfant Club.

John DePol. A Celebration of his Work. Offprints. Press of the Indiana Kid.

John DePol. A Celebration of his Work Offprint from The Pickering Press.

John DePol. A Celebration of his Work. Offprints from Tary Library Press.

John DePol. A Celebration of his Work. Offprint from "A Small Old Printing Press."

John DePol. A Celebration of his Work. Offprints. Bowne and Co. Stationers.

John DePol. A Celebration of his Work. Offprints. The Aralia

Press.

John DePol. A Celebration of his Work. Offprints. Buttonmaker Press.

Folder 9 of 15

"John DePol's New York" South Street Seaport Museum, New York. November - March 15, 1998.

Documentation. John DePol's New York: An Exhibition of Etching sand Wood Engravings. Reproduction of exhibition pamphlet including an introduction by Barbara Henry, Curator, an essay by Don Wesely, and an exhibition checklist.

Holiday card with wood engraving The Lower Hudson River from the Erie Pier in Hoboken.

Documentation. Press release from the South Street Seaport Museum. "A Lost Art Form is Found at the South Street Seaport Museum, The Famed Works of John DePol to be Shown."

Documentation. Essay from Barbara Henry, Curator, South Street Seaport Museum. Photocopied from the limited edition, John DePol, A Celebration of His Work by Many Hands. Edited by James H. Fraser. Council Bluffs, Iowa: The Yellow Barn Press, 1994.

Photocopy of notice, "Wood Engraver's 50 Years of Picturing Manhattan. "The New York Times. 14 December 1997.

Documentation. Photocopy of newspaper article. Helfgott, Hali. "Memories engraved: art exhibit captures a bygone New York." North Jersey. 14 December 1997. NJ1-NJ2.
Includes illustration of DePol at work and the reproduction of three engravings.

Folder 10 of 15

How to Make a Wood Engraving

Making a Wood Engraving. An Exhibition at HarperCollins Publishers. July 1997.

The Making of a Wood Engraving by John DePol. Journal of the Society of Wood Engravers. Winter/Spring 1991.

"John DePol Relates Intimate History of Famed 'Franklin Keepsake' Series. "Printing News (5 March 1988).

"John DePol, Wood Engraver, Lauded for Noted Role in Franklin Keepsakes. "Printing News (29 April 1978).

Review of John DePol, a Celebration of his Work by Many Hands. In Matrix 14 (Winter 1994): 228.

Johnston, Alastair M. Lecture and Workshop Review. Overwhelmed by Books. Ampersand (Quarterly Journal of the Pacific Center for Book Arts) 8 No. 1 (Winter 1988): 4.

John DePol. American Friends of the Bodleian Newsletter 22 (Winter 1992).

Small flyer advertising the exhibition, "The Making of a Wood Engraving. "HarperCollins Exhibition Space, July 7-31, 1997.

Documentation. Press Release. John DePol Printmaker, Illustrator and Teacher on Exhibition at HarperCollins. Reminiscences of JDP AND a letter to MJ

Checklist of the HarperCollins Exhibition, with brief descriptions.

Pamphlet for the Fifth Annual Book Arts Seminar, July 15-20,1985 at Farleigh Dickinson University Library, Madison, N.J.

Poster for Bowne & Co. Stationers lecture, "The Art and Technique of Wood Engraving" featuring John DePol (November 2, 1983).

Poster for Bowne & Co. Stationers introductory class "The Art and Technique of Wood Engraving" featuring lectures and demonstrations by John DePol (November 3, 1982).

Announcement for "John DePol: Printmaker, Illustrator and Teacher" one exhibition at HarperCollins.

Folder 11 of 15

A Sampling of Holiday Cards Engraved by John DePol

Holiday Cards:

Holiday cards with wood engravings (except where noted) :

• Station on the Ninth Avenue Elevated 5 copies.
• Domjulien, Haute Vosges, France 4 copies.
• The Lower Hudson River from the Erie Pier in Hoboken 6 copies.
• The Gate to St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick, Eire (A dry brush drawing.) 5 copies.
• The Old Distillery at Ballyronan, Northern Ireland (A lithograph.) 5 copies.
• In Northern Ireland (A lithograph.) 5 copies.
• The Square, Belfast, Northern Ireland (A dry brush drawing.) 5 copies.
• Winter in the Country.  6 copies.
• Holiday card for Carroll McEntee & McGinley, Inc. 1 copy.
• Two boys on sled in snow. 1 copy.
• Old-Fashioned Christmas. 1 copy.
• Candle in the Window. 1 copy.
• Old Type Cases and Composing Stick. 1 copy.
• Old Printing Office. 1 copy.
• Printers' Composing Room. 1 copy.
• Three Magi. 1 copy.
• Adoration of the Kings and Shepherds. 1 copy.
• Adoration of the Shepherds. 1 copy.
• Men with Campfire. 2 copies.
• Chapel in Belmont, Haute Vosges, France. 1 copy.
• Village Scene. 1 copy.
• Thelma Shoveling Snow with John, the Scoundrel, Hiding.
• Two Boys Sledding, Rutgers University Library 1998 Holiday Card

Boards:

• Father with Log on Sled with Boy and Card. (no date.)
• Two Boys with Tree.  (1962.)
• Two Boys on Sled with Father.  (1969.)  Includes card.
• Two Boys on Sled. (about 1960.)

Folder 12 of 15

"Ninth Annual Rutgers Pharmaceutical Conference: 1960." 5/28/99 Correspondence to Michael Joseph, Rare Book and Jerseyana Catalog Librarian, Rutgers University regarding an engraving done for a program for the ninth annual Rutgers Pharmaceutical Conference in 1960.  (2 copies.)

Photocopy of wood engraving for the Ninth Annual Rutgers Pharmaceutical Conference.  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 1960. (8 copies.)

Booklet.  Important Quotes from the Ninth Annual Rutgers Pharmaceutical Conference.  New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers, The State University, College of Pharmacy and University Extension Division, 1960.

Folder 13 of 15

Engravings and Materials Related to Smith Kline & French A copy of promotional material for thorazine, with two engravings by DePol.

A copy of promotional material for thorazine, with one engraving by DePol.

Promotional pamphlet for thorazine as an adjuvant in obstetrics, 1955.

Obstetrical chair of the sixteenth century.  A wood engraving by John DePol for Smith, Kline & French laboratories.  (2 copies.)

Revolving Bed--an old time device for calming mental patients. A wood engraving by John DePol for Smith, Kline & French laboratories.

[Huddled mental patients]  A wood engraving by John DePol for Smith, Kline & French laboratories.

O'Halloran's Swing & Hammock for the Insane.  A wood engraving by John DePol for Smith, Kline & French laboratories.

English Coffin.  1958.  A wood engraving by John DePol for Smith, Kline & French laboratories.  (2 copies.)

The Bath of Surprise. No. 1.  A wood engraving by John DePol for Smith, Kline & French laboratories.  (2 copies.)

The Bath of Surprise.  No. 2.  A wood engraving by John DePol for Smith, Kline & French laboratories. Pamphlet discussing cytomel, a new hormone for the treatment of hypometabolism. June, 1957.

Cytomel, a folded sheet with copies of three wood engravings by John DePol.

[Hippopotamus]  Copy of a wood engraving by John DePol for Smith, Kline & French.

Copy of an engraving of Philippe Pinel (1745-1826), French Physician. A wood engraving by John DePol for Smith, Kline & French laboratories.

Folder 14 of 15

Miscellaneous Copy of poster from the University of Kentucky. (Reduced). Wood engraving by DePol.

Printout of electronic version of DePol's wood engraving Oxford from Morris, Willie. My Two Oxfords. Lake Oswego, OR: BlackwellNorth America, 1993.

Photocopy of wood engraving by John DePol for the January Meeting of The Club of Odd Volumes.  15 January 1958.

Recollection of "Bruce's New York Typefounders" with photocopy of wood engraving by DePol.  Dated 16 July, 1994.

Photocopy of etching of Pig Alley, Hudson Riverfront with recollection. Dated 5 August 1995.

Photocopy of National Academy of Design Annual Report, 1953-1954 announcing John DePol an Associate Member in the department of Graphic Arts.   Publication announcement for A Boyhood in Iowa by Herbert Hoover, with seven wood engravings by John DePol.  Published by the Yellow Barn Press in Council Bluff, Iowa.

Publication announcement for Printing as Art: William Morris and His Circle of Influence.  Introduction by Charles Mann, wood engravings by Linda Holmes, edited by Mary Chenoweth Stratton.  Bucknell University, The Press of Appletree Alley.

A collection of photocopies of wood engravings made by John DePol of varied subjects including:

• Wood engravings for the Ex-Ophidia Press
• Wood engravings for You Can Judge a Book by its Cover, a miniature book
• Recollection of The Zauberberg Press
• Publication annoucement for Modern Love, by George Meredith with wood engravings by John DePol, published by The Zauberberg Press
• Wood engravings by Depol for publications of The Stone House Press
• Wood engravings of Bucknell University
• Wood engravings of Lycoming College
• Wood engravings of Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
• Wood engravings of Harvard Medical College
• Recollection of the Goudy Albion, including wood engravings

A keepsake for the eighty-fifth birthday celebration of John DePol, in conjunction with the December meeting of the Columbiad Club, Meriden, CT

An annoucement for the Whitney Gallery, including a display of prints and books illustrated by John DePol.

A brief biography of John DePol prepared for DePol's 85th birthday celebration.

Etching of the south slip of Christopher Ferry, Manhattan.

Recollection of Cripplegate, London, 1944.

Photocopy of the cover of Printing History XI (No. 2) 1989 treating Bernard Brussel-Smith.  With typed note by John DePol.

2 copies of captioned photograph of DePol at an etching press, bears in typescript "frontispiece for 'John DePol: A Catalogue Raisonne of his Graphic Work: 1935-1998.'" (Enclosed in envelope entitled "Works of Art)"

Folder 15 of 15

Correspondence

Holiday greetings to friends dated 17 December 1982.

Holiday greetings to friends dated 17 December 1992.

Correspondence to Michael Joseph, Rare Book and Jerseyana Catalog Librarian, Rutgers University.  Dated 23 September 1995.

Copy of correspondence to Jim Fraser discussing the etching "Washington Square."  Dated 4 September 1996.

Copy of correspondence to Frank Mattson, former Curator of the Berg Collection, NYPL, discussing DePol's etching.

Correspondence to Michael Joseph, Rare Book and Jerseyana Catalog Librarian, Rutgers University.  Dated 11 January 1997.

Correspondence to Michael Joseph, Rare Book and Jerseyana Catalog Librarian, Rutgers University.  Dated 26 June 1998.

Correspondence to Michael Joseph, Rare Book and Jerseyana Catalog Librarian, Rutgers University.  Dated 29 October 1998.

Correspondence to Michael Joseph, Rare Book and Jerseyana Catalog Librarian, Rutgers University.  Dated 26 March 1999.

Copy of correspondence to John Anderson.  Dated 9 April 1987.

The following six pieces in Folder entitled "Letters from John," and dated August 20, 1999

• Copy of correspondence to Jim Fraser, Fairleigh Dickinson University Library, Madison NJ, dated March 15, 1993
• Copy of correspondence to Karl Kup, Curator of Prints, New York Public Library, June 27, 1947
• Copy of correspondence to John Anderson, Pickering Press, dated April 9, 1987
• Copy of correspondence to John Buechler, University of Vermont, Burlington, dated September 16, 1987
• Copy of correspondence to Lewis and Dorothy Allen, dated February 1, 1991
• Copy of correspondence to Michael Tarachow, Pentagram Press, dated OCtober 18, 1995

A Sampling of Books in the Rutgers University Library Collections Containing Wood Engravings by DePol.

 Berry, Wendell. Traveling at Home. San Francisco: NorthPoint Press, 1989, c1988.

Colebrook, Frank. William Morris, Master Printer. Council Bluffs, Ia.: Yellow Barn Press, c1989.

Saxe, Stephen O. American Iron Hand Presses. New Castle, Del.:Oak Knoll Books, 1992.

Stepanchev, Stephen. Descent: A Selection of Eight Poems. Roslyn, N.Y.: Stone House Press, 1988.

For further information and book location, see IRIS: The Rutgers University Catalog, below, and search under the chosen title.

List compiled by Sara Harrington
7/16/98;7/16/99; 9/9/99; 10/30/01
Revised by Claire McGuire 1/24/02