Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2024.FIC.018 |
Object Name |
Block, Printing |
Title |
Howard L. Hughes Printing Block 1 |
Description |
A silver metal printing plate, shaped like Howard L. Hughes, is mounted on a brown cuboid wooden block. The front of the block is black, while the other sides are brown. The printing plate features an embossed image of Howard L. Hughes. He is dressed in dress shoes with laces, pinstripe dress pants, a matching pinstripe suit jacket with two buttons, a dress shirt, a tie, and glasses. His hair is short, and he sports a mustache. In his right hand, extended far from his body, he holds a miniaturized version of the Trenton Free Public Library, depicted from the left side. The library is a two-story, cuboid-shaped building with stairs and five Roman columns leading to the entrance. The front of the building has eight windows, while the left side shows six. A reverse inscription above the building reads, "THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF TRENTON." Hughes holds a stack of sixteen books in his left hand, close to his body. The books are slightly larger in the middle than at the top or bottom. To the right of Hughes, there are three books on the floor, not aligned with each other, with one tipping over to the right. The spines of the books feature squiggly lines, likely representing writing. Beneath Hughes' feet, there are horizontal lines. The top, bottom, right, and left sides of the wooden block are plain, with no designs or attachments. On the back of the block, a white piece of paper is attached, bearing a black inscription that reads: "Dear Sir and Brother: I desire a copy of the 1941 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge. Name. Lodge, No. Date." Near the bottom right corner of the paper, there is a silver inscription in what appears to be pencil, reading, "Howard L. Hughes. Caricature." According to Howard L. Hughes in the fourteenth chapter of A History of Trenton 1679-1929 and Trentoniana archivist Laura Poll, Hughes served as the chief librarian and library director of the Trenton Free Public Library from 1911 until 1956. Prior to this, he worked as an assistant at the library and as an assistant reference librarian at Princeton University. Hughes succeeded Adam Strohm, the previous chief librarian, when Strohm left in 1911 to take a position at the Detroit Public Library. Hughes holds the record for the longest tenure as chief librarian in the history of the Trenton Free Public Library, a record that still stands as of 2024. Citations: Hughes, H. L., Walker, E. R., & Traver, C. L. (1929). Schools and Libraries. In A History of Trenton 1679-1920: Two Hundred and Fifty Years of a Notable Town with Links in Four Centuries. essay, Princeton University Press. Retrieved July 23, 2024, from https://www.trentonhistory.org/His/Schools.html. |
Year Range from |
1941 |
Year Range to |
1956 |
Material |
Metal, Wood, Paper |
Artist |
Unknown |
Height (in) |
5.500 |
Length (in) |
3.500 |
Width (in) |
0.750 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Abrasions and discolorations throughout. Front: There are tiny abrasions all along the edges. There is a little bit of corrosion on the screws. And finally, there are white accretions in between Hughes' legs. Right Side: There is a black discoloration along the left edge. Also, there is a tiny crack near the bottom of the left corner. Back: The paper is yellow due to oxidization. The paper has black accretions all over. And finally, the paper is coming off the back of the block. Left Side: There is a black discoloration along the right edge. Also, there are abrasions along the bottom. Top: There is a black discoloration all over the bottom half. Also, there is a black discoloration near the top right corner. Bottom: There is a black discoloration taking up most of the space. |
Inscription Type |
Inscription |
Inscription Location |
Front, Top, Left Side |
Inscription Technique |
Embossed |
Inscription Text |
"THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF TRENTON" Line 1 Inscription Stamped Back, Top to Bottom, Left to Right "Dear Sir and Brother:" Line 1 "I desire a copy of the 1941 proceedings of the Grand Lodge." Line 2 "(Name)" Line 3 "Lodge, No" Line 4 "Howard L. Hughes" Line 5 "Date" Line 6 "Caricature" Line 7 |
People |
Howard L. Hughes Adam Strohm |
Classification |
Architecture Libraries Newspapers |
Subjects |
Metals Printmaking Printmaking equipment Metalwork Journalism Journalists Writing Writing materials Wood Wood blocks Paper Books Buildings Librarians Libraries (Rooms & spaces) Masonic buildings Masonry Newspaper industry |
Search Terms |
Howard L. Hughes Adam Strohm 1941 1956 Silver Black Brown Wood Metal Trenton Free Public Library 20th Century Books Suit Glasses Grand Lodge Free Mason Masonry Caricature Printing Block Printing Plate Paper Howard L. Hughes Silver Printing Block Trenton Free Public Library Trenton Librarian Library Director Chief Librarian Wooden Block Printing Plate |
Provenance |
Found in collection |