Bookplate of the Lakeside Press Library

This elegantly engraved bookplate was created by Stephen Gooden, one of England's most celebrated engravers of the early 20th century, for the Lakeside Press Library in 1933. Gooden was renowned for his finely detailed copper engravings and had established himself as the premier designer of bookplates for distinguished collections, including those for Princess Elizabeth and the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. By 1933, he was at the height of his powers, having already provided decorations for the prestigious Nonesuch Press and illustrated fine editions of the King James Bible. His bookplate designs were known for being both witty and inventive, combining technical precision with imaginative composition.

The Lakeside Press, based in Chicago, was the printing division of R.R. Donnelley and known for producing beautifully crafted limited edition books. Commissioning Gooden for their library's bookplate would have been a mark of prestige, connecting an American press with one of Britain's most distinguished engravers. At just 3 inches square, this miniature work demonstrates the extraordinary skill required in engraving—every line carved into copper with painstaking precision. Gooden's engravings were celebrated for their clean lines and sophisticated design, qualities that would have perfectly suited the refined aesthetic of a private press library. His election as a fellow of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers came this same year, recognizing his mastery of the medium.