The Bookplate of the Printer's Devil

Art Historical Context

Created in 1896 by Francis Scott King, *The Bookplate of the Printer’s Devil* is a finely detailed engraving on wove paper that celebrates the world of printing and book collecting. Bookplates—small labels pasted inside book covers to mark ownership—were especially popular in the late nineteenth century, when private libraries flourished and collectors sought personalized emblems. The intriguing title refers to the traditional “printer’s devil,” the young apprentice who performed odd jobs in a print shop, often depicted as a mischievous figure surrounded by type and presses. King’s choice of ...