There has never been anyone in the design world like William Addison Dwiggins (1880-1956). The first American to call himself a graphic designer, he applied his prodigious talents in the fields of typography, calligraphy, illustration, and even puppeteering. He is best known for his book designs, which combine his expertise in calligraphy, stencils, and typography. Reprinted here, Dwiggins's final published work was his magnum opus, a treasure trove of design ideas illustrated with his lively, intricate stencils, and containing a text by his assistant, Dorothy Abbe.