GILL, Eric

First used as an illustration for Canticum Canticorum published by Count Harry Kessler's Cranach Press in Weimar in 1931. Gill first met Kessler in 1904 when he commissioned Gill to design calligraphic titles and headings. At the time this engraving was undertaken Gill was also working on the carvings for Broadcasting House in London. When the project was completed Kessler wrote to Gill that he thought 'it is one of the most beautiful series of illustrations produced in modern times and that the book will appeal to everybody and all interested in fine illustration and book making' (Eric Gill The Engravings, Christopher Skelton ed., The Herbert Press, London 1983).