A Bookplate Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson

Under normal circumstances the Lloyd Osbourne bookplate  would not merit very much attention.
It is unique because of a collaboration between Robert Louis Stevenson and his stepson Lloyd Osbourne
As adults they collaborated on three novels.Their collaboration really started when RLS purchased a do it yourself  printing press for Lloyd when he was about thirteen years old. .RLS wrote poems and did wood cuts for Lloyd's Davos Press.The woodcut in Lloyd's bookplate was done by R.L.S.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Lloyd Osbourne and Robert Louis Stevenson

 Do it yourself printing presses were very popular boy's toys in the mid 19th and early 20th centuries.
 President Grant purchased one for his son Jessie, H. L. Mencken was given one at age eight in 1888 and
 Lloyd Osbourne was given one at age thirteen,.
A picture of the Davos press can be seen by following this   link to Textualities by Elaine Greig

http://textualities.net/elaine-greig/unfinished-business/

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I received the following inquiry from David Kesterson this week.

A friend sent photos of a book, "Crown of Wild Olive" by John Ruskin that was owned by his father. It is probably from a set published by Merriam, but what interests us is the metal cover. The design is quite precise, making me think it was stamped. But why? Was this a short-lived fad? Or some devoted arts & crafts artisan. Please feel free to publish if you find it interesting. I would really like to know more.

David Kesterson
Cameron Park Books
Raleigh, NC

Davidk@camparkbooks.com

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in·con·gru·ous   Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something; not in place. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This one  puzzles me. Perhaps a bookseller had some very fine reference books which customers kept trying to buy so he inserted this label in them..What do you think? See you next week. Bookplatemaven@hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------