Title Page. noun. 1594: a page of a book bearing the title and usually the names of the author and publisher and the place and sometimes date of publication.
All books begin with one. It is most often the first printed page one sees when they begin reading a book.
An exhibition dedicated to the title page is about to wrap up at the The National Gallery of Art.
Announcing the Text: Development of the Title Page, 1470–1900 Selections from the National Gallery of Art Library presents “select examples of early books of the 15th century through modern books of the late 19th century, this exhibition traces the development of the title page as its role expanded and new printing technologies impacted its design.”
Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo. Wren’s city churches Orpington, Kent, 1883 Woodcut. Believed to be the first art nouveau title page
For those of us who can’t get there the NGA has created an online exhibit featuring 24 highlights from the show.
William Morris. Gothic architecture: a lecture for the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society Hammersmith, London, 1893. Letterpress