Bookplate of the Lakeside Press Library by Stephen Gooden

Bookplate of the Lakeside Press Library

Stephen Gooden · 1933

Scroll

“This small but exquisite engraving is a bookplate for the Lakeside Press Library, a testament to the era's appreciation for detailed craftsmanship and the quiet pursuit of knowledge within books.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This bookplate, designed for the Lakeside Press Library, presents a meticulously engraved scene within a circular frame. At its center, a classical figure, possibly a muse or allegorical representation of knowledge, sits contemplatively, surrounded by books and a globe. The intricate details of the engraving, from the delicate folds of the figure's drapery to the subtle textures of the books, reveal the precision possible with this medium. It's an image that speaks directly to the purpose of a library: a place of quiet study and intellectual exploration. Created in 1933, the work reflects a period when fine printing and book arts were highly valued, and bespoke bookplates were a common, elegant way to mark ownership and celebrate the act of reading. The design itself, with its classical allusions and detailed execution, underscores a reverence for tradition and craftsmanship.

DETAILS
Artist
Stephen Gooden
Date
1933
Medium
Engraving in black on ivory wove paper
Location
Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions
Image: 7.5 × 7.5 cm (3 × 3 in.); Plate: 8.3 × 7.9 cm (3 5/16 × 3 1/8 in.); Sheet: 26.2 × 21.8 cm (10 3/8 × 8 5/8 in.)
Collection
Prints and Drawings
Culture
England
Credit line
Gift of R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. Chicago
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Bookplate of the Lakeside Press Library
01

The central figure's pensive expression.

02

The tiny globe at the figure's feet.

03

The detailed bindings and pages of the books.

04

The intricate border pattern framing the scene.

+1

1 more detail is waiting.

See all 5 in Art Whisper →
AUDIO DEEP DIVE

Stand in front of it and listen

The full narration walks you through Bookplate of the Lakeside Press Library — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.

0:00Preview · 0:30Free preview · 0:30 Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST

Stephen Gooden

1892–1955 · United Kingdom

Master engraver whose St George design for Windsor Castle became the George Medal worn by British heroes.

Read Gooden’s full story
MORE FROM THIS ARTIST

Further Works by Gooden

1 / 2
KEEP EXPLORING

More works to explore

Beyond Gooden: works from the same years.

Hear Bookplate of the Lakeside Press L…’s storyFree in the Art Whisper app Open