Letter B with Ivy

drop_bThis letter B with ivy could be the work of a famous artist when they were just learning their craft. Or, it could have been created by one of the many talented folks who worked at a print foundry in the 1800s and who will remain nameless forever. Either way, their work has thankfully survived over 130 years and can be enjoyed by yet another generation of us.

This letter B with ivy is one of a number of letters that were used to decorate the chapters in the book entitled Ballads of Beauty which was released in 1878. It features a dark letter B surrounded by curling tendrils, ivy leaves and vines.

 

This image is copyright free and in the public domain anywhere that extends copyrights 70 years after death or at least 120 years after publication when the original illustrator is unknown.