Vintage letter O with vines. The vines look a bit like morning glories to me, there’s even a few flowers among all of the leaves.
It was one of a number of letters and other little illustrations used to decorate a book of poetry. Ballads of Beauty was published in 1878. This drop cap letter was one of a set most likely purchased by the publisher from a print foundry. I’ve found various versions of this set in a number of publications. This one is about only an inch or so tall but it is a nice and clear version.
Vines, leaves, flowers and curled tendrils decorate a solid letter. Where the vines and leaves cross the front of the letter, they make it appear as if it has been carved. You could add a bit of color or keep it simple with just black and white.
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.
