Wisconsin Historical Society Floor Mosaic
| Mosaic in the south/central lobby floor of the Wisconsin Historical Society. The printer's mark of Melchor Lotter, a Leipzig printer from 1491-1536, was inspired by the meaning of his name. "LOTTER" is an old German name for vagabond, and the design represents a beggar in a suppliant position. The printer’s mark of Melchior Lotter displayed in the Vassar Library consists of the initials M.L. Lotter used a more elaborate device in many of his publications; it depicts a mendicant holding a shield bearing his monogram. This could be an illustration of the colloquial translation of Lotter, meaning “vagabond.” |
| Image ID: | 125518 |
|---|---|
| Creation Date: | circa 1899 |
| Creator Name: | Wisconsin Historical Society |
| City: | Madison |
| County: | Dane |
| State: | Wisconsin |
| Collection Name: | State Historical Society of Wisconsin photographs, 1880-2010 |
| Genre: | Historical Object |
| Original Format Type: | digital file |
| Original Format Number: | 1201001248 |
| Original Dimensions: | 2744 X 2335 pixels |
| A similar image also appears on plate 135 in State Historical Library Building, Madison, Wisconsin, a book of cyanotype prints documenting the construction of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin's headquarters building. The book was presented by Francis W. Grant, Superintendent of Construction, to the Wisconsin Historical Society. The designs are printer's marks - the device put on their products by printers in the days when printing was a creative, highly individualized hand craft. It is uncertain just who suggested the idea which appropriately fit in with one of the society's mandates, to preserve printed documents and books concerned with the state. Ferry and Clas, the architects, adapted the designs where necessary to conform to the medium. Reuben Gold Thwaites, the executive officer of the Society at that time, supervised the design of the interior of the building and probably influenced that decision, too. The information about Printer's Marks obtained from the Memorial volume,The State Historical Society of Wisconsin : exercises at the dedication of its new building, October 19, 1900 : together with a description of the building, accounts of the several libraries contained therein, and a brief history of the Society, edited by Rueben Gold Thwaites. Rare Book Collection Oversize, Z733 W8 W6. |
| Signs and symbols |
| Tile industry |
| Printing industry |
| Library buildings |
| Mosaics |
| Floors |
| This image is issued by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Use of the image requires written permission from the staff of the Collections Division. It may not be sold or redistributed, copied or distributed as a photograph, electronic file, or any other media. The image should not be significantly altered through conventional or electronic means. Images altered beyond standard cropping and resizing require further negotiation with a staff member. The user is responsible for all issues of copyright. Please Credit: Wisconsin Historical Society. |
| Location: | Wisconsin Historical Society Archives, 4th Floor, Madison, Wisconsin |
|---|