Description
Here’s a scarce Roycroft/Oz cross-collectible–an original large Roycroft motto with one of W W Denslow’s “heraldic” initials with a gryphon. It says “Don’t scrap! Do unto others as you would be done by”–attributed to Ali Baba, Roycroft’s erstwhile and well-loved handyman. The oversized motto is much larger than the common smaller ones–this one is about 8″ x 10″. Printed with the Roycroft and orb and cross watermark and with the intial hand illumined with scarlet and gilt. NOT a mass produced motto culled from a book like is often seen today! Also very unusual to find one with the exuberant Denslow initial, most have more pedestrian ones.
These mottos were advertised in the Philistine and Motto Book and are circa 1910-1915. In very good condition with light wear. For more information on Denslow’s initials for the Roycrofters, see the Spring 2015 special issue of the Baum Bugle.
