As fancy letter images and drop caps go, this large letter E drawing is one of the larger ones that I’ve found. It is almost twice as tall as it is wide and while it is not totally illuminated, it is interesting and fairly substantial.
The decoration around the letter itself is fairly common with twisting vines, leaves and curlicues. The letter E is drawn a big differently though with an almost chiseled appearance as the letter is further drawn on the inside of the borders of the letter. The decorations are drawn with a light touch, making the darker edges of the letter stand out.
I don’t really have much more to say about this large letter E drawing other than it came from a book published in 1893 where the author did not identify an illustrator. Though, I suspect this fancy letter or drop cap E may have been from a print foundry rather than designed just for Toots and His Friends.
This image is copyright free and in the public domain anywhere that extends copyrights 70 years after death or at least 120 years after publication when the original illustrator is unknown.
