Skip to main content

Garrett A. Boge collection of inscriptional rubbings

 Collection
Identifier: Wing-Modern-MS-Boge Rubbings

Scope and Content of the Collection

The Boge rubbings collection consists of 343 rubbings from 296 stones inscribed with symbols or texts, primarily in Rome and Florence, which Garrett Boge made between 1991 and 2007.

Initially the rubbings served for his research into historical letterforms and they were used as models for type faces he designed and marketed. As he honed his technique, he moved beyond the original documentary impulse to create art works of considerable beauty which have been exhibited and collected by others. The collection has two general themes: Roman capital letterforms (from Roman Republican through Neoclassical periods) on stones in Rome, Florence and elsewhere; and early Christian symbols (primarily birds) from third- to fifth-century tomb fragments housed in the Vatican epigraphy collection and in churches in Rome.

Dates

  • Creation: 1991-2007

Creator

Language

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The Garrett A. Boge collection of inscriptional rubbings is open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).

Ownership and Literary Rights

The Garrett A. Boge collection of inscriptional rubbings are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections at reference@newberry.org.

Biography of Garrett A. Boge

Kansas City, Seattle, and Rome lettering artist and type designer.

Garrett A. Boge (January 18, 1952- ) held a residency at the American Academy in Rome in 2000-2001. During that period and afterward he forwarded a project to make rubbings of inscriptions that resulted in the present collection. For further biographical information see the Garrett A. Boge Papers, The Newberry Library.

Extent

5 Linear Feet (5 boxes and 6 rolls)

Abstract

343 rubbings of inscriptional stones, chiefly in Florence and Rome, made to exemplify Roman capital letter forms and early Christian symbolism. Mostly art originals, a few photocopies.

Organization

Papers are organized in the following series:

Series 1: Early Christian symbols, 2000-2001
Boxes 1-2
Series 2: Roman capital inscriptions, 1991-2007
Boxes 2-4; Rolls 1-6
Series 3: Documentary materials, 1991-2007
Box 5

Collection Stack Location

4 22 11

Provenance

Gift of Garrett A. Boge, 2014-2015.

Processed by

Robert Williams and Garrett A. Boge, 2015.

Title
Inventory of the Garrett A. Boge collection of inscriptional rubbings, 1991-2007
Status
Completed
Author
Robert Williams
Date
©2015.
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512