Will Bradley letters, corrected galley, and miscellany accompanying Memories 1875-1895
Summary
| Creator: | Bradley, Will, 1868-1962 |
| Date(s): | approximately 1948-1954 |
| Call Number: | MSS 0099, F1033 |
| Language: | Materials entirely in
|
| Abstract: | These letters, galley proofs, and postcards were laid in a first edition of Will Bradley’s Memories 1875-1895: Happenings here and there along the trail, or, The world went very well then : a Victorian tale gleaned from memories and told for the edification of the fellow Typophiles. |
| Physical Description: | 5 items |
| Immediate Source of Acquisition: | Purchase, June 2017 |
| Processing Information: | Processed and encoded by Elizabeth Jones-Minsinger, July 2017. Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard |
Biographical and Historical Notes
Graphic artist William Bradley was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 10, 1868. After working as a wood engraver and typographer, Bradley set up the Wayside Press in Boston, where he served as the editor, illustrator, designer, typographer, and press manager. Bradley later sold Wayside Press and worked as a freelance graphic designer for numerous newspapers, magazines, and advertising agencies. The Saturday Evening Post nicknamed Bradley the “Dean of American Designers.” He published his autobiography, entitled Memories 1875-1895: Happenings here and there along the trail, or, The world went very well then : a Victorian tale gleaned from memories and told for the edification of the fellow Typophiles, in 1949. Bradley died in La Mesa, California, on January 25, 1962.
Sources
Bradley, Will. Will Bradley : His Chap Book. New York: The Typophiles, 1955.
Information derived from the collection.
Scope and Contents
These letters, galley proofs, and postcards were laid in a first edition of Will Bradley’s Memories 1875-1895: Happenings here and there along the trail, or, The world went very well then : a Victorian tale gleaned from memories and told for the edification of the fellow Typophiles.
This collection includes two pages of galley proofs from Bradley’s manuscript Memories 1875-1895. Bradley sent these proofs to David Silvé, a fellow member of the Typophiles, who made several corrections in red ink. Bradley wrote an inscription to Silvé in pencil on the proofs: “David—This is the only place where I allowed by thoughts freedom [.] It comes at the end, The other episodes are all told briefly, and they refer to printing and designing conditions at the time. Please do not let this get beyond the ‘Three Musqueteers’. As you will see—it was fun making the typish decorations—or illustrations.”
Bradley wrote two letters to Silvé regarding this manuscript. In an autograph letter dated “Friday,” Bradley noted that he was sending Silvé an advance copy, describing the work as “a true labor of love in spite of its shortcomings.” In an undated typed note, Bradley responded to Silvé’s corrections on his manuscript, promising to “try to follow your suggestion and put a little punch in the design.”
This collection also includes a carbon copy of a letter from Silvé to Bruce Barton dated June 23, 1954, concerning plans for the celebration of Bradley’s eighty-sixth birthday. Silvé noted that Bradley had received the American Institute of Graphic Arts’ gold medal the previous May. There is also a printed postcard directed to Typophile members concerning the celebration of Bradley’s eightieth birthday. This postcard was probably sent in 1948.
Using these materials
Shelving Summary
Box 71, F1033: Shelved in SPEC MSS 0099 manuscript boxes.
Access Information
The collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
MSS 0099, F1033, Will Bradley letters, corrected galley, and miscellany accompanying Memories 1875-1895, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.
Materials Cataloged Separately
Bradley, Will. Memories 1875-1895: Happenings here and there along the trail, or, The world went very well then : a Victorian tale gleaned from memories and told for the edification of the fellow Typophiles. Pasadena: Castle Press, 1949.
Related Materials
This item forms part of MSS 0099 Miscellaneous Literary and Historical Manuscripts.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce isrequired from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library, https://library.udel.edu/static/purl.php?askspec
Container List
| Galley proofs for Memories 1875-1895: Happenings here and there along the trail, or, The world went very well then : a Victorian tale gleaned from memories and told for the edification of the fellow Typophiles , approximately 1948-1949 | Box 071, F1033 |
| Handwritten letter from Will Bradley to David Silvé, approximately 1948-1949 | Box 071, F1033 |
| Typed letter from Will Bradley to David Silvé, approximately 1948-1949 | Box 071, F1033 |
| Typophiles postcards regarding Will Bradley's 80th birthday, approximately 1948 | Box 071, F1033 |
| Letter from David Silvé to Bruce Barton regarding Will Bradley's 86th birthday, 1954 | Box 071, F1033 |