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Design Category
Book design, 2005
Design firm
Studio A (Alexandria, Virginia)
Collection
(2006) 50 Books/50 Covers of 2005
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This book reproduces 16 of John Donne’s letters relating to his secret marriage in 1601 to Anne More, the niece of his employer’s wife. His father-in-law did not approve of their unsanctioned wedding, since Donne had a reputation as a womanizer and a possible Catholic. As a result, Donne was fired from his job and thrown into prison. In this series of letters, Donne argues for his freedom, his job and his wife.
The Folger owns this unparalleled collection, and produced this volume to make the letters accessible to scholars and researchers. Our page designs attempt to present accurate facsimiles of the letters and precise typographic renderings of their content. Each word crossed out in pen or letter inserted with a caret appears in the typeset transcription. Line lengths and line breaks reflect the letters exactly.
The cover reflects a letter-writing custom of the era: the lower a signature appears on the page, the lower the writer’s status in comparison to his correspondent. Donne’s signature at the very bottom reflects his humility, painfully gained after being punished for his unauthorized wedding.
A masterful use of type, texture and space. Each spread recombines the limited elements, creating a book of spare complexity.